Goddess: Greg.

Yep. My first Goddess feature is a guy.

What?

I know! But listen- he's such a good goddess lover! He builds schools for girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He started doing this before America's 9/11 tragedy. He was a climber, climbing the world's (I think?) second tallest mountain, K2 in Pakistan. As he was descending the mountain he became disoriented and was rescued by villagers who took him in, fed him, let him rest, and nursed him back to health. He wanted to give back, and asked what they needed. They needed a school, especially for girls. GIRLS!

In the midst of terrible news about floods in Pakistan, and of course news everywhere about extremists, I wanted to highlight Greg Mortenson and the amazing work he's doing in that region of the world, among people who are grateful and helpful, wanting and needing their girls to be educated. Especially to combat extremists in the region who would rather girls have zero education and the inability to think for themselves and to make a living for themselves. Greg quickly teaches us that most of the village leaders and residents do not agree with the extremist mindset. They are proud of their girls and women, and want to empower them in order to improve living and economic conditions in their villages and towns.

If you haven't already, read Greg's book, Three Cups of Tea, co-authored by David Oliver Relin. I know this is old news to most of you, but Greg just HAD to make it into my Goddess hero list. He made it his life's work to improve the lives of girls across the planet from where he was raised, all based on a chance encounter. I personally learned more about the Muslim faith and the truth of that region (quite different from what I'd learned through the evening news) from this book than from anything else. I'm so inspired and awe-struck by this story, and by the lives of all involved in risking their comfortable lifestyles to serve these girls.

“Once you educate the boys, they tend to leave the villages and go search for work in the cities…. But the girls stay home, become leaders in the community, and pass on what they’ve learned. If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls.” –Greg Mortenson

Goddesses like Greg Mortenson... they are the people changing our world for the better. Using their lives for good, and seeking the truth always through serving those who've been nearly forgotten by the wealthier nations. What I love most is that he wife is the ultimate goddess... she and his children support his work and bless him as he serves thousands of girls and their families. What an awesome lady!

Check out Pennies for Peace, their fundraising effort, to learn more about how to serve the girls of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Now more than ever, they need our support. Let's EDUCATE our girls!