Most of the women had never met before. There were Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians among the group. Their ages ran the gamut from the twenties to the seventies.

Within five minutes, they were all best friends. They shared stories of the hardships that they and the people of their countries have endured, their reasons for running for office, and the issues they — and we — face as we work for peace in the world.

I was lucky enough to be invited by Ambassador Swanee Hunt to meet the women and hear their stories. I spent a total of eight days between Harvard and Washington, DC with these remarkable leaders whom I now count as lifelong friends.

In our days together in Cambridge, the women attended rigorous academic classes, spoke on panels, gave radio interviews, talked freely with one another, laughed, and ate fabulous meals. Some of us even danced at a soiree at Swanee Hunt’s home. Then, we went to Washington,DC where the women were coached in how to interface with both governmental and non-governmental aid organizations.

The Inclusive Security Program is the brainchild of Swanee Hunt, who says that she became committed to facilitating the inclusion of women in peace negotiations, after witnessing the suffering of women and children during the armed conflict in Bosnia. As she speaks about her experiences in the peacemaking process as the US Ambassador to Austria, she recalls asking a gentleman diplomat why there were no women taking part in the negotiations.

The answer came quickly:

“Because the men are afraid that the women will compromise,” the man replied.

Ambassador Hunt says that this was an “ah-ha” moment for her. Because of that insight, she decided to launch an ambitious program (much of which is funded through the Hunt Alternatives Fund) aimed at engendering peace processes worldwide.

She began the program with a "Policy Day" at Harvard that was put together in four weeks. And now, she and the staff of "The Initiative for Inclusive Security" are able to pack a ballroom of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC with some of the most powerful decision makers in the world.

When others tell her that something "can’t be done,” Swanee Hunt says, “We can try!”

Read More Stories of Inspiring and Courageous Women Leaders: Franca Judith Akello, Uganda; Mariam Alsadig Almahdi, Sudan; Isabel Londono, Colombia; Ann Auru, Uganda; Jane Odwong Akwero, Uganda;
Women from Nepal and Sudan.

You can learn more about The Initiative for Inclusive Security and the Hunt Alternatives Fund at www.huntalteranatives.org.

Copyright 2007 Bobbi Mckenna All Rights Reserved