WOMEN OF OUTSTANDING COURAGE

 As we celebrateInternational Women's Day this week honoring women around the world, we  are watching women of the Ukraine struggle in heartbreaking ways, trying to keep their families safe, while showing strength  and courage  as they seek refuge in other countries.

The number of refugees reached 2 million on Tuesday, according to the United Nations, the fastest exodus Europe has seen since World War II. One million were children, UNICEF spokesman James Elder tweeted, calling it “a dark historical first.” Most others were women.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of International Women's Day, which is normally a day for celebration in Ukraine saying:.

“Ukrainians, we usually celebrate this holiday, the holiday of spring. We congratulate our women, our daughters, wives, mothers. Usually. But not today. Today I cannot say the traditional words. I just can’t congratulate you. I cannot, when there are so many deaths. When there is so much grief, when there is so much suffering. When the war continues."

Kelley Currie, former Ambassador-At-Large on Global Women’s Issues said: “The strength that you see in them carrying their children across the border, they do everything with such dignity. And I think it’s important for people to see that anybody can become a refugee.

 “We need to stand in solidarity with the women in Ukraine as they show their bravery and stand up for their rights and democracy in this world," said Patricia Preston, executive director of the Vermont Council on World Affairs.

 Ukrainian women are known for their courage,  a strength of spirit and steadfastness.  So far away, we can only pray this spirit continues for the sake of future generations.