Dear Madam Secretary Clinton

Dear Madam Secretary Clinton,

We applaud your visit to Congo last year. As American women, business owners, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, runners, and others deeply concerned with Congo, we are proud of your interest and commitment to Eastern Congo.

However, if the IRC mortality study statistics have held, more than 500,000 Congolese people have died since your visit. Tens of thousands of women, children, and even infants have been raped, including the recent incident of close to 200 women and infants, within 10 miles of a UN compound. This is our shame.

The USA has taken precious little action. That needs to change today. You are the leader to make it happen.

  1. You promised Congo 17 million dollars. Why is it still sitting in a US Government account, buried in red tape? Unacceptable. Please do what you must to get this critically needed aid to Congolese women today.
  2. The culture of impunity in Congo must end. Congo needs a justice system. The Congolese army must be professionalized, so soldiers “protect and serve” rather than “steal and rape”.   We urge you to coordinate with donor governments and the Congolese government to spearhead a comprehensive national security sector reform plan for Congo.

Congolese women and children need your immediate action. We look forward to celebrating your bold, immediate leadership on this critical issue.

Sincerely,

A Thousand Sisters

{Please add YOUR name and personal note to Secretary Clinton here. I’ll pass it on!}

Lisa Shannon, Founder, Run for Congo Women, Author A Thousand Sisters, Sister to Generose & Thousands of other Congolese women.

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735 Responses to “Dear Madam Secretary Clinton”

  1. flora says:

    enough blood has covered the soil, enough tears have been shed, enough souls have been killed, enough atrocities have been commited…please madame secretary do help us. please and please. what should we do or say for the world to see that human lives are beeing killed secretly and conspiratorially?? if i had the power trully i would have acted long time ago. but i am powerless, all i can do is speak about it. but we come before those who have been established to represente the American voice around the world. you madame are an american voice so i come to you humbly and ask for your undivided attention to this issue. i have always prayed for this great nation that is the United States of America as i was growing up and i beleive there is a reason why God is still blessing this nation and has set it appart from others. from a congolese woman.

    sincerly,
    flora

  2. Tammy Masters says:

    As one person I pray daily for injustices, traumas, terrors to be lifted from our children, men and women that are preyed upon by evil people in the world. The rest is up to others that have the ability to ACT. God will do so much to protect his children. We must send the message to those who can help get the protection in place and implement it!

  3. Andrew Warnecke says:

    Dear Madame Secretary,
    This violence cannot continue. Action must be taken now. Violence this atrocious offends our very humanity as does the willingness to look the other way over and over again. Please act now.

    -Andrew Warnecke
    Portland, OR

  4. Brooke Sparling says:

    Secretary Clinton,
    You are an amazing women! You do so much for the world, I thank you for all your hard work. I know the situation in DRCongo is extremely complicated and difficult, but we MUST act. What will your legacy be? Will you regret that you didn’t act on the atrocities in Congo (as President Clinton regrets that he didn’t act on the genocide in Rwanda?)? Or will you go down in history for putting an end to the greatest violence against women ever known? I have faith in you.

    Brooke Sparling, MPH
    Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Cameroon 02-03

  5. helen ferenchik says:

    these terrorists are pure EVIL
    HELL IS TOO GOOD FOR THESE MEN\

  6. helen ferenchik says:

    pray for healing in all the women and victims.

  7. Amy Stoker says:

    Madame Secretary…8300 REPORTED rapes last year…200 REPORTED rapes in 3 days. How many have gone unreported? What if these women were your sisters, mother, daughter…well, they are. These atrocities must be stopped and we as Americans have the power to help. Please…they deserve your help. Listen to their cries, and our cries..

    Sincerely,
    Amy Stoker

  8. Holly Hanna says:

    “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality” -Dante

    To ignore is to comply… please let the world know we cannot stand for this anymore.

    Thank you.

  9. Majda Mujic says:

    Dear Secretary Clinton,

    I trust that you’ll do everything in your power to stop these horrible thing from ever happening again!

  10. Please, please, please act now!

  11. Jamie Posnak says:

    Please act soon! These women and girls are crying for our help right now… please don’t delay. Everyone who has the power to act is held accountable.

  12. Nicole Clark says:

    The women and children of Congo deserve the help of the United States government, and the American citizens demand it.

    Please Madam Secretary, use your power and influence to provide urgent and immediate protection to these victims of horrific violence.

    Thank you,
    Nicole Clark

  13. Kristen Curry says:

    Dear Madame Secretary:

    May our nation be a true friend to these victimized Congolese women. Think if we personally knew or were related to the individuals being mass raped this week, this month, this year, by terrorists. These atrocities are gut-wrenching and so wrong! Let us do what we can to end it now.

    Gratefully,
    Kristen Curry

  14. Secretary Clinton,

    While barbaric crimes against women are unfortunately widespread, there is no other place on earth in more immediate need of our help than the DRC. We cannot continue to turn our backs on these people. They have no voice and no hope. Please take immediate action to raise awareness and intervene. Be assured that there is a small but mighty group ready to take on this initiative with you. We will be standing right beside you in the fight for Congo.

    Michelle Arch

  15. Rossi Coles says:

    Dear Secretary Clinton,
    What happens in Congo cannot be ignored any longer! The women and children of Congo deserve to be protected! Please do it immediately! What if Chelsea was one of those girls in Congo being raped and killed??? You have the power to make that change for the Congolese Women! Please help them!
    I believe you will do what is right.
    Thank you,
    Rossi Coles

  16. Peggy Lindberg says:

    Dear Madam Secretary,

    Your leadership for the women and children of the Congo is needed now! Getting the $17 million to them is a critical beginning to aid in their ultimate survival.

    We support you in your every effort.

    There is strength in numbers and commitment, we have both!

    Thank you.

  17. Amber Peterman says:

    Dear Hilary,

    I want to applaud you and the State Department for the continued commitment to address gender issues across education, economic development, food security and health. Your recent GHI speech at SAIS reconfirmed the focus on women and girls–and was a very welcomed reaffirmation. However, we cannot talk about gender equality or addressing the needs of women and girls without serious attention to DRC. Money needs to be released, programs ramped up, and an example made to the international community that we will not stand for the mass rape, killing and discrimination against women.

    Please follow through on for the women of DRC.

    Best regards,

    Amber

  18. We stand in solidarity with the women and children in Congo. Please take action without delay.

  19. Lori Hinrichs says:

    Please do everything you can. These are women and children and this we as a strong nation should stand up for those that need help. PLease help.

  20. Jenny Murphy says:

    Dear Madame Secretary,
    How much longer must these mothers, daughter, sisters wait for this lifeline that has been promised to them? We are so lucky to be women living in the United States…and now, please help us help other women in the DRC who are being hunted down in this brutal and barbaric war that must not be allowed to continue for another 15 years.
    Respectfully,
    Jenny Murphy

  21. Anna Stoudemire says:

    Please take immediate action to protect Congolese women and children. Please do all that you can to help stop the horrific violence occurring there.

  22. Dear Secretary Clinton,
    We can no longer sit back and allow the horrors in Congo to continue. Now is the time. Please join us in saving the women and girls in DRC. We need you. They need you. Their lives are at stake. Let’s end the mass rape, mutilation and fear they live with every day.

  23. Susan Sherman says:

    Dear Madam Secretary,

    We must act now!
    these atrocities have gone on far too long.

    Susan Sherman

  24. Alexandra Reddy says:

    Please act on the promise to Congo!

  25. Debi Mangrum says:

    Dear Mrs. Clinton,
    Please, please help us! The women and children of Congo are crying out. How long can we ignore their sufferings. They are wonderful women, loving mother, daughters, sisters. If we were in their situation we would hope and pray someone would come to our defense. Please help make sure the these vicims get justice, that their attackers are punishedd and they can live a life free of fear. Oh to feel safe just going to get get food, water, and fire wood for your family. My daughters mother was raped and murdered in front of her eyes when she was only six years old, and yet she prays nigtly for the “bad men”. Wont you please help us make a difference in their lives.
    Thank you and God Bless
    Debi Mangrum

  26. Corinne M. says:

    These women can’t wait any longer for us to take action and protect them the way they need and deserve. No one deserves this- especially not the babies! Please do what can NOW!

  27. Felecia Maxfield says:

    The Congolese rebels know that if they annihilate women who are the foundation of their families and the light that guides their childrens’ future, they win the war.

    Secretary Clinton, you have been a wonderful example of how strong, courageous, and innovative women can be when given the opportunity to prove themselves. Please continue to be this role model- take a stand and say that rape as a weapon of war will not be tolerated anymore.

    Please help our Congolese sisters and their children achieve their inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

    Sincerely,
    Felecia

  28. Noel Grandrath says:

    Please make a stand to end the horrible treatment of the Congolese women.

  29. Ande Uriguen says:

    Dear Secretary Clinton,

    As women, we are bound by a sisterhood. Our sisters in the DRC need protection and security NOW. Please, as a woman, mother, daughter, wife, and especially as our leader, take immediate action to ensure safety for the Congolese women and children.

    Thank you,
    Ande Uriguen

  30. Bryan Murphy says:

    Ms. Clinton,
    I am from Sharpsburg, Georgia and feel this is your most pressing issue to deal with as Secretary of State.
    Horrendous!Year after year, women are raped, mutilated, and the criminals (animals) that have no respect for life, still roam around the DR Congo
    Words cannot describe what is going on in DR Congo at this time.
    Remembering you, and all the leaders of our country in my thoughts and prayers.
    Bryan Murphy
    Sharpsburg, GA
    30277

  31. Stephanie Ritter says:

    Remember Africa? Because after the evil these victims are enduring, they will never forget it if America continues to watch from the safe sidelines. Do something!

  32. Melanie White says:

    As the mother of a Congolese son and someone who has visited the country and seen for myself firsthand how ravaged the country is, I urge you to increase America’s awareness and aid to DRC.

  33. Cathy Cadd says:

    Dear Madame Secretary Clinton, It is time for Women to stand up for other Women in this World, because we know that the males in leadership roles around the globe will not. Please do what you can to help our sisters in the Congo.

    Respectfully, Catherine L Cadd

  34. “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality.”
    Martin Luther King Jr. quoting Dante Alighieri

  35. Jenn Barron says:

    Senator Clinton,

    Please follow through for the Congolese women! They need our help!

  36. Diane Gandee Sorbi says:

    Secretary Clinton,

    The time to act is now! I realize you have a lot on your plate, but the Congolese women and children need help immediately. They are your sisters too. Please fight for them!

  37. Julie Swenson says:

    I am blessed to be an American woman! All women deserve the right to protect themselves and their families and live without fear. Please act now. These are women just like you and I trying to better themselves and be amazing mothers. If we do not help them…who will?

  38. Kristine Burt says:

    Dear Madam Secretary,

    Thank you for what you do – please consider the priority of standing up for these victims and helping put an end to such evil, senseless violence.

  39. Chris Scott says:

    The US has always big upped them selves on policing the world as well as “never again.” People NEED you, women and children are suffering untold and unbearable amounts. Do something. Feel me? I said do something, its your job, you moral obligation as human being.

  40. Almine Barton says:

    This is human dignity disarmed at the highest level. This must be dealt with effectively & immediately. Act now!

  41. Jennifer Coudriet says:

    Please make a stand now for the women in Congo.It is our responsibility as human beings…

  42. Brooke Deputy says:

    Dear Madam Secretary, I am sickened by the latest news of yet another mass rape of women in the Congo. This time it’s over 200 women and some very young baby boys. I know $17 mil is just a beginning, but begin we must. Please do what you can to get this money to the Congolese and to bring attention to the atrocities happening there every day. Thank you.

  43. Carol Souza Rock says:

    Women remain our greatest hope for the future, please don’t let the women and children of Congo continue to suffer. Let’s do more together. Be our voice and show us the way, Secretary Clinton. Thank you.

  44. Joy Cordell says:

    The roots of this human catastrophe must be dealt with–whether weak governments, conflict minerals, or interference by other countries. Please give this your utmost efforts.

  45. sondra m smith says:

    Congolese women and children need your immediate action. We look forward to celebrating your bold, immediate leadership on this critical issue.
    Please Please do something to help this women and children
    Sondra

  46. Carrie Fogo says:

    Please take our concerns to heart. If the USA can not intervene and foster change who can?

  47. Teri Wolford says:

    I cannot stress my agreement strongly enough. We are blessed and fortunate to be American women, please help to give these women and future generations a chance!!

  48. Dianne Gowder says:

    Yes, Secretary Clinton. It’s time to act!

  49. Brandi Smith says:

    Enough is enough! We need to do more to end the horrific treatment of women and children in the Congo.

    Please make this a priority.

    Sincerely,

    Brandi Smith

  50. Judy Wu says:

    Please come through & act now!

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