Over the past several weeks, my awesome husband and I have attended several powerful events.
We were even able to take our daughters to see the documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell about the women who ended the Liberian war. Wow!
These are conversations about ending genocide.
Global issues.
Women leading change, even when facing severe inequalities.
Stories that should stop us in our tracks.
And yet… there were empty chairs.
That’s the part that bothers me.
When a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate like Leymah Gbowee travels from Liberia to give a keynote in Utah, the place should be standing room only.
But it wasn’t.
And that should challenge all of us.
We say we care about making the world better.
We say we believe in empowering women around the globe.
We say these issues matter.
But do our actions actually reflect that?
Because showing up matters.
Being in the room matters.
Listening matters.
Supporting work that is changing lives matters.
As a humanitarian, I believe we have to do better.
We need to move from “I care” → “I show up” → “I give.”
From awareness… to action.
Because if we won’t fill a room to hear from people who are changing the world…
Then we have to ask ourselves—what are we really prioritizing?
Next time you see an event like this—go.
Invite a friend.
Bring your kids.
Fill the room.
Because these conversations deserve more than empty seats.
