We are living a hopefully brief moment in history when women's emancipation is not only under scrutiny, but is being attacked by entitled white males who happen to lead a couple of influential world governments -- Russia and the United States. It's during times like these that it's essential to remind ourselves that grassroots initiatives remain the bedrock of hope and change within our communities.

I like to quote Canadian feminist and social activist Rosemary Brown during dark times like this; "We must open the doors and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through."