At a thrilling gathering of women (and men) from the world over who are working to make the world better for women, Melanne Verveer delivered an inspired address.  Verveer was chief of staff for first lady Hillary Clinton, President Obama’s choice as the first Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, and is currently Executive Director for the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.

She pointed out that 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the World Conference on Women in Beijing in which Clinton forcefully remarked, “It is time for us to say here in Beijing, and the world to hear, that it is no longer acceptable to discuss women’s rights as separate from human rights.”

Ambassador Verveer noted the progress women have made, the work that remains to be done, and the miles we must go before we sleep.  The women she addressed are part of the progress, step by step, in educating women to take their independent place, in encouraging them to dare to be scientists and engineers, to always reach out so another voice can be heard.

The rustling of handwoven Indian silks and the bright geometry of Ugandan robes dressed up the meeting rooms.  A neatly attired Flora Villanosa, in muted browns and tans, is Mayor of what was once the Philippines poorest town.  She gave up her salary for three years and turned the town around.  So many remarkable stories, or her-stories as New Zealander Amanda Ellis, an Ambassador to the UN office in Geneva called them.  Thanks to Lisa Kaiser Hickey, TIAW’s President, a good time to be a working woman.