Motivation Mondays: One Billion Rising

One in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. 

About three weeks ago on Valentine’s Day, One Billion Rising overtook cities around the world to deliver an important message. They staged flash mobs, held dance parties and brought an important issue to the forefront. One Billion Rising is a mission, an uprising if you will that raises awareness of violence against women around the world. On Valentine’s Day, also known as V-Day, this organization took to Twitter, Facebook and every other social media site to call men and women everywhere to participate in a revolution. They tweeted and posted instructions about meet-ups around the world. They invited people to dance, to raise awareness and to challenge the norm. It is not acceptable for the violence women and girls face each day. It was time for a revolution, a time for change.

Celebrities like Kerry Washington and Eve took to Twitter as well to support the cause. Updates were constantly coming from Brazil, Poland, New York City and so many other places around the world. Videos of millions of people dancing and holding signs with shocking statistics were uploaded instantly to the One Billion Rising website. Their online presence was strong, their message was clear and their goal was inspiring. Think about the statistic above: 1 in 3 women will be raped or beaten. 1 in 3 women. That’s your mother, your aunt, your best friend. It is not acceptable. It cannot be tolerated anymore. We all, men and women alike, stop this violence and use our voices. No means no. We will not be disrespected. We will be one billion rising.

Check out one of their videos below

Tagged: Eve, Kerry Washington, Motivation Mondays, One Billion Rising, Revolution, Rising, Twitter, VDay, Violence, Women