Founding the first women's ezine on the Internet was both a challenge and an honor. While others claimed it could never succeed, I struggled to learn HTML from a simplified primer. No doubt the same level of coding would not be acceptable today, but eleven years ago, it was good enough to attract women who cheered us on. A few years later, we began to receive inquiries about our film festival -- which we didn't have.
Thoroughly confused, I began asking around and came across: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/
Created by Elizabeth English, I was delighted to learn her vision was also focused on women. She did not know about my ezine, Moondance: Celebrating Creative Women. She'd picked the name as a contrast to Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival, which was ignoring films by women. Since its inception, the Moondance International Film Festival has provided recognition to many worthy films created by and written for women.
This morning, I received their monthly newsletter and found a quote from our Moondance publication included in their section devoted to inspiring others to work toward bettering our world. What follows are the quotes from the film festival's newsletter. I'm honored to be included with these illustrious people. I encourage everyone to visit their website and become involved in their joyous festival:
Each single US Tomahawk missile fired in wars costs at least $500,000 to build, (not including the cost of transporting it from the missile factory all the way to the bombing zone, the aircraft and fuel to deliver it, and the staffing of all the people involved in dropping the bomb to kill people on the ground and destroy towns, villages, bridges, schools, homes and roads. Say a million dollars altogether, or more.) That's enough for local groups to build more than 20 schools. But books, not bombs, will do more to advance the cause of world peace. - (paraphrased from an article excerpt: NY Times, July 13, 2008)
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." - Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970, American guitarist, singer and songwriter whose guitar playing continues to be a considerable influence on rock music)
"What we need are more ways to experience our interconnectedness - it is a precursor to deep love. So in this quickening light, with the dawn of each new day, let us look for love. Let us no longer struggle. Let us ever become who we most want to be. As we begin to be who we truly are, the world will be a better place." - John Denver (1943-1997, American songwriter, singer, environmentalist and humanitarian)
"If you shoot for the stars and only hit the roof, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot." - Robert Townsend (African-American actor, comedian, film director, and writer)
Metaphorical poem about how one may finally radiate one's true essence only after experiencing a crisis: Aromatic plants bestow no spicy fragrance while they grow, but crushed or trodden to the ground, diffuse their balmy sweets around. - Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774, an Anglo-Irish writer, poet, and physician known for his novel "The Vicar of Wakefield")
"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." - Helen Keller (1880-1905- Born completely deaf and blind, Keller was an American author, activist, and lecturer)
SOVEREIGN - A woman who is not afraid to shoulder responsibilities and possesses the capability to make solid decisions on behalf of others. She assumes stewardship as a natural part of life, working earnestly to improve her family and her community. As a leader, she strives to lead her followers toward prosperity and fulfillment. She possesses the ability to create order out of chaos and often achieves the authority to implement personal values in myriad ways. When faced with jeopardy, she uses her wisdom to return order and harmony to life. - Moondance: Celebrating Creative Women, published by Women Artists and Writers International