{"id":464,"date":"2016-03-31T20:03:47","date_gmt":"2016-03-31T20:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cehhs-sportandpeace.utdev1.wpengine.com\/?p=464"},"modified":"2016-09-28T17:38:51","modified_gmt":"2016-09-28T17:38:51","slug":"reflections-on-experiences-with-powerful-women-during-womens-history-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/sportandpeace\/2016\/03\/31\/reflections-on-experiences-with-powerful-women-during-womens-history-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections on Experiences with Powerful Women during Women\u2019s History Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Janine<\/a><\/p>\n

By Janine Al-Aseer, CSPS Research Assistant & PhD Student<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As we come to the end of Women\u2019s History Month, I reflect on the amazing women I\u2019ve had the privilege to work with over this month. There is <\/span>Paula Korsakas<\/span><\/a>, the coordinator for the Human Development Program for Sport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, <\/span>Dr. Alicia Malnati<\/span><\/a> (\u201cDr. Hatch\u201d), the design guru and writer extraordinaire of the Center, <\/span>Dr. Carolyn Spellings<\/span><\/a> (\u201cDr. C\u201d), the backbone of programmatic monitoring and evaluation for the Center, and <\/span>Shannon McCall<\/span><\/a> (\u201cSha-nay-nay\u201d), the Center\u2019s project manager and organizer supreme. That\u2019s not to mention the superstars that create the foundation of everything we do, our co-directors, <\/span>Dr. Sarah Hillyer<\/span><\/a> (\u201cDr. SJ\u201d) and <\/span>Dr. Ashleigh Huffman<\/span><\/a> (\u201cDr. Ash\u201d). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On top of all of these incredible women, in March I was given the distinct pleasure of meeting <\/span>Dima Alardah<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Batoul Arnaout<\/span><\/a>, two emerging leaders from the Global Sports Mentoring Program<\/a> on their home turf in Amman, Jordan.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, first I had to get there!<\/span><\/p>\n

On the way to Jordan, I was detained for six hours at an Israeli checkpoint. In a sectioned-off area, my Palestinian family and I watched through the low bars as countless Israeli citizens passed by us. The detainment section filled with other Palestinian families, the children playing with toys (the parents had anticipated the wait) and getting out bags of food to share. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After being released and crossing the King Hussein Bridge over the now completely dry Jordan River, I finally arrived to meet Dima and Batoul. The women greeted my family and I warmly and shared in our frustration over travel issues during the ongoing political conflict. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t believe that here in front of me were two Palestinian-Jordanian women of whom I had seen pictures, heard incredible stories, and listened to for hours in audio interviews. I admired them from afar for their great sacrifices and commitment to women. Strong and confident, they welcomed me into their lives and shared about their current work.<\/span><\/p>\n