Until all women prevail, our voice is the voice of many women. Peaceful Supporters of Egyptian Democracy Washington, DC January 29, 2011 Photos by Ellie Van Houtte http://www.ellievanhoutte.com Responding to calls for global solidarity for the Egyptian people, mothers, fathers, families, and energized youth gathered for a four-mile peaceful march from the Egyptian Embassy to the the White House in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2011.  Unexpected, and unprecedented, the volume of supporters and the empathy as witnessed through the tears, chants, and emotion of the supporters was testament to the spirit of humanity that can impact each of us.  The Washington, DC rally photos in this slideshow embody this passion. Throughout the Middle East, women have been eagerly joining their male counterparts to stand up for democracy and human rights.  The freedoms that many American girls and women take advantage of every day---traveling without a husband’s permission, driving cars, and expressing political opinions in public, are distant realities for some women in Egypt and many other countries. Although our work as women philanthropists in the US may seem worlds apart from the direct citizen activism occurring around the globe, the commitment we make to worthy causes locally exemplifies the critical role that women play in supporting their communities.  Like the brave women who took to the streets to make their voices heard across Egypt and across the Middle East over the past few weeks, our actions speak volumes in promoting a world where every women’s voice matters.  Whether you raise money for an organization that inspires you or simply help a friend make phone calls about an upcoming event---do something, because you can! Ellie Van Houtte is a freelance photographer and communications professional based in Washington, DC, who collaborates with nonprofit organizations locally and abroad to promote cultural diplomacy through visual storytelling. 

1. Until all women prevail,
our voice is the voice
of many women. Peaceful Supporters of Egyptian Democracy
Washington, DC
January 29, 2011
Photos by Ellie Van Houtte
http://www.ellievanhoutte.com
Responding to calls for global solidarity for the Egyptian people, mothers, fathers, families, and energized youth gathered for a four-mile
peaceful march from the Egyptian Embassy to the the White House in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2011. Unexpected, and
unprecedented, the volume of supporters and the empathy as witnessed through the tears, chants, and emotion of the supporters was
testament to the spirit of humanity that can impact each of us. The Washington, DC rally photos in this slideshow embody this passion.
Throughout the Middle East, women have been eagerly joining their male counterparts to stand up for democracy and human rights. The
freedoms that many American girls and women take advantage of every day---traveling without a husband’s permission, driving cars, and
expressing political opinions in public, are distant realities for some women in Egypt and many other countries.
Although our work as women philanthropists in the US may seem worlds apart from the direct citizen activism occurring around the
globe, the commitment we make to worthy causes locally exemplifies the critical role that women play in supporting their communities.
Like the brave women who took to the streets to make their voices heard across Egypt and across the Middle East over the past few
weeks, our actions speak volumes in promoting a world where every women’s voice matters. Whether you raise money for an
organization that inspires you or simply help a friend make phone calls about an upcoming event---do something, because you can!
Ellie Van Houtte is a freelance photographer and communications professional based in Washington, DC, who collaborates
with nonprofit organizations locally and abroad to promote cultural diplomacy through visual storytelling.

2. “Something that impressed me in this revolution, that made
my dreams came true: I saw a feminist movement united,
powerful, and engaging in the political situation. We are
united for one cause, regardless of ideology, generation or
political affiliation. Women showed a great example in this
revolution; they were in the front lines: coordinating,
strategizing and implementing.”
Fatma Emam, Egyptian Women’s Rights Activist