The Inspiration Behind Daughters:
A few years ago, I saw the documentary “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”. In it, a woman named Leymah Gbowee united thousands of Christian and Muslim women to peacefully protest the civil war that had terrorized Liberia for 14 years. Through their efforts, they convinced then president Charles Taylor to attend peace talks with the warring factions. Through prayer, song, silent protest and non-violent means, their presence applied the pressure needed to get an agreement out of the stalled talks. This movement led to the election of Liberia’s first female president.
If you pay attention to the news, you’ll hear about the unthinkable horror girls and women are subjected to worldwide. Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani teenager was shot in the face for asserting that girls should receive education. In some countries and cultures, young girls are sold into marriages, blamed for being raped and other atrocities. In the United States, women’s reproductive rights are governed and they make less than men for the same work. However, the strength and resilience of women is undeniable.
In writing Daughters I was inspired by all of these women and by my hope, that united and brought into our true equal power amongst men, we can make this world a better, more peaceful and fairer place.
It seemed like the perfect fit to team up with charity: water on international women’s day. By working with communities to provide clean, convenient and sustainable access to water, they empower women. In many communities, it is the duty of women to “carry the water”. In developing nations, women can spend hours a day walking to collect water, subjecting themselves to not only unclean water, but also to potential assault while additionally robbing them of time that could be used elsewhere. In communities with accessible clean water, women have more time for education, as well as being in leadership roles as they look over this vital aspect of their communities.
I love that my nieces’ new favorite song of mine is Daughters. Even though they are very young, they intuitively know to celebrate their femaleness. Every woman is a daughter and has something special to contribute to the world. I hope that they grow up in a time when their strengths and sense of self are valued. A world where all little girls can be safe, educated, respected as equals and have access to clean water.
Daughters officially released on Lissie’s new album, My Wild West, on 12th February via Cooking Vinyl. Her most personal album to date, My Wild West is a fitting tribute to Lissie’s life in California, from her arrival as a fresh-faced singer-songwriter to now, leaving for the Midwest wiser and more self-assured. My Wild West represents both a new beginning and a return to Lissie’s Midwestern roots. My Wild West is now available on iTunes, GetMusic, JB HIFI & Spotify. |
