International Women's Day gathering at the Aristide Foundation, March 8, 2010

On March 8, 2010 three thousand women gathered at the Aristide Foundation  to mark International Women's Day under the banner, "Women of Haiti say, Haiti will not Die."

Coming from all over the greater Port-au-Prince area, these women mobilized both to honor those who were lost in the quake, to affirm life for those who survive, and to affirm their right to participate fully in the rebuilding of their country.

Dr. Jessie Pierre Louis, Medical Director of the University of the Aristide Foundation, noted that in the wake of this massive disruption in the lives of all Haitians, it was the time as never before for the women of Haiti to bond together for their liberation. Far from being powerless victims, she called upon them to be ingenious and courageous, to become the engine of Haiti's rebirth.

She called on the women of Haiti, and women around the world, to echo the call of those gathered at the Foundation for the return of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his family to their homeland at this time of national need.

For the full text of her remarks in French and Creole click HERE.)