Overturning poverty and extremism is an age-old challenge that communities and nations across the world battle every day. North Carolina is no different. Thousands of programs, policies and initiatives designed to address the root causes of these issues have certainly made a difference. But, I was quite intrigued by a recent New York Times Magazine article that professed there is growing recognition that one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of social challenges is to focus more on women and girls. Aptly quoted from that article, “The world is awakening to a powerful truth: Women and girls aren’t the problem; they’re the solution.” Even Madame President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia entered this discussion when recently interviewed about what the world would look like if it were run by women. Remember her? We were fortunate to have her as our opening keynote speaker when this conference was launched in 2006. Oh – and she is also the first woman ever elected to a head of state on the continent of Africa. When asked if wars would still exist if women ran the world, President Sirleaf’s reply was “no.” Further she said “it would be better, safer and more productive . . . . a woman would bring an extra dimension to that task – and that’s a sensitivity to humankind.” Hmmm – this makes me wonder. What can we do to help support women and girls in our own state? Join the conversation. I’d like to hear your thoughts.