Injustice Anywhere Is A Threat To Justice Everywhere.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Unless you happen to catch a CNN special report. Chances are you won’t see/hear any reports on 14 month old little girls and 80 year old grandmothers becoming victims of sexual violence in the Congo. You won’t see the story of 6 year old Zola who was ripped from her mothers arms as they sat out in their front yard one evening just before night fall. Even after her mother pleaded and cried to take her instead because she knew what her daughters fate would be. The army of armed, uniformed soliders refused. They had come specifically for the girl. Little Zola was found a couple of days later in her school. Her tiny legs tied to two benches. Her frail weakened body drenched in blood.

Zola was taken to Panzi Hospital where Dr. Denis Mukwege performed what’s called a “Trumatic Fistula” surgery. This surgery is used to repair damaged tissue as a result of brutal gang rape. Zola can no longer sit because it is too painful do o the injuries that she sustained. Her mother worries that she will never marry and have children of her own. What kind of life is Zola going to have now? 6 year old Zola is only one of thousands who suffer this act of violence on a daily basis. Yet it’s not mentioned in our local papers, shown on our evening news or brought up at our weekly community socials. You won’t hear preachers mention these acts of violence from the pulpit on sunday. Until we are able to get congress and the G8 leaders to stop ingnoring the plight of the Congolese women and girls. WE are all WE can depend on to spread the word. Let the world Know that these human rights violations must end today! Lets show the world that we will not tolerate sexual violence against our mothers, sisters, aunties, grandmothers and daughters.

Every opportunity I have to tell someone about W.O.R.T.H. and why we exist is a tiny victory for me because it means that atleast one more person has been made aware of the issues/atrocities in the Congo. I can only pray that that person will tell someone and so on and so on.

You have an opportunity to help W.O.R.T.H. spread the word in many different ways.

You can tell someone.

Pass this bulletin along to all your myspace friends by reposting.

Use one of our banners on your myspace page or as your siggy in emails or on message boards that will lead others to our official website. www.youreworthit.org.

SHOP W.O.R.T.H.’s online store. We have 3 different logos and over 100 items. There is something for everyone. Wear one of our fabulous shirts or caps and when people ask you “What is W.O.R.T.H.?” YOU can tell them and by doing so you would have made someone aware, made a donation and look really cool because our merchandise is awesome!

“YOU must be the change YOU wish to see in the world.”
~ Gandhi

“There is so much more happening around the world than what is communicated to us. We all need to look deeper and discover for ourselves….”
~Angelina Jolie

On behalf of the W.O.R.T.H. family, Dr. Denis Mukwege and the Congolese sexual violence SURVIVORS,

Thank you for your support.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
-John F. Kennedy:

I was all prepared to write this long venting entry on gratitude or rather the lack there of from some people that I have recently come in contact with. However, as I sit here thinking to myself I came the the conclusion that an entry like that would be pointless. Mainly because the people that I’m referring to probably won’t ever read this. I don’t fit into their clique. I’m just a simple girl with simple dreams. So instead of devoting more energy to people who have already proven they could care less about what I think of them. I have decided to instead devote this entry to those who are truly worthy of my gratitude.

As I am currently in the midst of a new journey in my life. I would just like to take a moment to say thank you to all of those involved with W.O.R.T.H. Be it directly or indirectly. Thank you Joy, Kathy, Leslie, Veronica, Tanya, Laura, Joanna Alisha, Janali and Renee’ for helping me breath life into yet another dream. I know that W.O.R.T.H. is gonna be an awesome organization that is going to do great work in the future for the many women and girls who simply need someone to care about them.

Thank you to all of those from myspace who have contacted us asking “How can I help?” It’s because of you guys that we here at W.O.R.T.H. will be able to help improve the lives of so many people. Thank you to all of you who have left such beautiful words of encouragement on our myspace page. Those comments are cherished and they help to keep us moitvated as we go forth with our mission. There is no doubt in my mind, heart or soul that we are indeed on the right path.

Also, I thank each and every one of you for the support that I pray you will continue to offer W.O.R.T.H. in the days to come. In order to bring about the much needed changes in the Congo, it is going to take the international community coming together to achieve these goals. So I look forward to all that is to come. The good will keep us motivated and the bad will keep us strong.

Peace & Blessings to all of you,

Aria Nicole

First and Foremost, we would like to thank all of you for either signing up for our mailing list, requesting information about our organization or simply adding and/or accepting our add friend request.

We want to thank you for wanting to learn more about W.O.R.T.H., what we stand for, who we stand for and why we feel it’s not only necessary, but vital that we raise awareness for such an important humanitarian crisis.

Sexual violence in Central and Eastern Africa, as well as many other Parts of the world in armed conflict, is an issue that not many of us are aware of beyond the 15 second clips on CNN. For this reason alone, it is very easy to say “out of sight, out of mind” but in knowing the horrific atrocites taking place, we don’t think you can turn your backs on these human beings. What we have in common with them transcends distance, culture, language and time. Many of us are women and if
we’re not women, we are men who were born and raised by strong women. And it is absolutely necessary that we stand up and protect other women and young girls around the world from those who wish them harm. If you have ever loved a mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter, niece, cousin or Ms. Sally Sue from the corner store. You must stand with us and say NO MORE! This is not a cultural issue. This is a HUMAN RIGHTS issue. Picture if you will, a young girl being brutally gang-raped by a group of armed men. This is exactly what happened on October 28, 2005 Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—Zola, a six-year-old girl, was lying in her mother’s arms as they sat in their yard at dusk. Suddenly, a group of five militiamen came in shooting and tore Zola away. Her mother begged the men to take her in exchange for her daughter, but they refused; they had come for the little girl.

The child was found the next day in her school, her tiny legs tied to two benches, bathed in blood. As a result of the rape, Zola had suffered a devastating traumatic fistula injury. While the
doctors in Goma said that Zola would survive, her mother lamented that she could never marry.
The stories of girls like Zola have remained hidden in the shadows of the world’s most violent conflicts. Now imagine that as brutal as this rape is, it doesn’t end there. What enters her body are foreign objects such as gun barrels and machetes and these armed groups use these brutal rape tactics as a weapon of war.

These helpless women and young girls are left for dead… and
even if they are the lucky few who are surgically repaired, they are forever traumatized and the horrors will likely never escape them.
Across the DRC are tens of thousands of women like this: physically ravaged, emotionally terrorized, financially impoverished. Twelve years of war have left the Congo in ruins, and Congolese women have been victims of rape on a scale never seen before.
Without getting too detailed, the reason rape is a preferred weapon of war in the Congo is because it’s a cheap, simple weapon for all parties in the war, more easily obtainable than bullets or bombs and this violence was designed to exterminate the population.
The Congo war has claimed more lives than any conflict since the end of World War II, yet receives almost no attention outside central Africa.
An estimated 4 million people have died here since 1996 the vast majority Not by firepower but starvation or preventable diseases, as people hid in the jungle to escape the fighting.
If you would like more information on the conflict itself, let us know and we will be more than willing to email you easy to read material that
will give you insight into the conflicts in DRC. Infact, we would be happy to break it down for you ourselves.
But right now, we would like to get into where the “Women’s Organization of Rebirth Through Healing” stands amidst this humanitarian crisis.

W.O.R.T.H. started as a vision by founder Aria Maddox. In doing her own research into the violent rape crimes in Central Africa, Aria was shocked to find that very few organizations around the world (and essentially none in North America) were set up to directly help these women and children in the Congo. Even more appalling is the fact that the international community as a whole is paying no attention to the millions who have already lost their life to the Congo war. Her vision for the Women’s Organization of Rebirth Through Healing is to raise awareness, raise money and eventually build a holistic transition house in the Congo that will
keep women safe while working to empower them in every aspect of their lives. Aria is quoted as saying “Once I heard about these women and children and what they are enduring on a daily basis. The question for me was never Why should I do this? The question was and is… How could I not?”
Aria then called on a friend, philanthropist, social worker, and now
President of W.O.R.T.H. Joy Plaza and their shared passion and commitment to this fight is the backbone of what lies ahead in W.O.R.T.H.’s future. These two women, along with their board of directors and volunteers are working diligently to carry this vision to life.
With all of your help, we can, and WILL bring awareness to the
humanitarian crisis in the Congo, we WILL work together to get the international community involved and we WILL expand and build a transition house in the Congo to help these women get back the life they deserve.

We have gotten a tremendous respose from people looking to help in any Way they can and we are sincerely grateful for the support that all of you Are giving this wonderful organization. There is power in numbers and each and every one of you will play an integral role in this fight for humanity!
We are working on the W.O.R.T.H. website and it will be launching this Fall at www.youreworthit.org. We will keep you posted and we thank you again for joining us in this fight.

–
W.O.R.T.H.
WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION of REBIRTH THROUGH HEALING
PO Box 575
Atlanta, GA 30301
(404)496-4073
(877)202-6460
www.youreworthit.org

W.O.R.T.H.
The Women’s Organization of Rebirth Through Healing’s (W.O.R.T.H.) mission is to help women and children who are victims of rape in the Democratic Republic of The Congo to obtain proper medical care for both their physical and emotional wounds. W.O.R.T.H. is dedicated to the enhancement
of the emotional well-being and self resiliency of the many that have suffered and are continuing to suffer in the Congo. It is the goal of W.O.R.T.H to provide assistance that will offer these women and children hope and allow them to transition into a better life.

W.O.R.T.H. - “WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION of REBIRTH THROUGH HEALING”
—————————————————
The Women’s Organization of Rebirth Through Healing’s (W.O.R.T.H.) mission is to help women and children who are victims of rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo to obtain proper medical care for both their physical and emotional wounds. W.O.R.T.H. is dedicated to the enhancement of the emotional well being and self resiliency of the many that have suffered and are continuing to suffer in the Congo. It is the goal of W.O.R.T.H to provide assistance that will offer these women and children hope and allow them to transition into a better life.

—————————————————

It is imperative that the international community steps up and advocates for the millions of voices not being heard during times of war; To understand and fight for the rights of women and children in conflict situations throughout the Congo, but also in other war-torn nations, so that we can give these women and children the protection to which they are entitled.

Women experience war in a multitude of ways. While in some cases they may be combatants, they also usually live through the events as civilians. W.O.R.T.H. recognizes that there is a dire need to address issues such as personal safety, sexual violence, displacement, access to health care, food and shelter, detention, and less commonly discussed matters such as the problem of missing relatives and how it affects survivors, mainly women.

Armed combat involving child soldiers is a violation of the fundamental rights of children. It is extremely important to recognize the impact on survival, life and the physical and mental development of children, as the impact of war can traumatize a child long after the conflict ends.

Armed conflicts and economic problems have worsened the situation of women and children in the Congo and impeded the realization of their rights. Diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea are the main causes of children’s morbidity and mortality while HIV/AIDS is increasingly threatening child survival. Access to portable water and sanitation remains poor, particularly in rural areas. Women head twenty per cent of households. Numerous children have been traumatized by recent conflicts and the number of street children and AIDS orphans is growing. Efforts must be made to protect women and children who are victims of sexual violence.

For more information on how you can become involved with W.O.R.T.H. please use the following contacts:

WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION of REBIRTH THROUGH HEALING
PO Box 575
Atlanta, GA 30301
(404)496-4073
(877)202-6460
www.youreworthit.org (coming this fall)

This information and more can be found on the official W.O.R.T.H. myspace page.

“www.myspace.com/youreworthit” please help us to bring awareness to the atrocites in the Congo by adding us to your friends list. If you would like to be added to our mailing list and receive updates and our newsletter. You may forward and email to us on myspace or you may use “info@youreworthit.org.

We can and will change the world, one mind at a time.

Aria Nicole Maddox Founder
Joy Plaza Founder

There has been a lot of talk about Oprah’s Legend’s Ball lately. What a quite remarkable moment in our time to have all those amazing women in one place at the same time to simply say “We appreciate you and thank you.” Would have given anything to be a part of such an awesome moment in history. This has allowed me to do a lot of thinking about apprecaiton and simply saying “Thank you”… Most of us as artist do what we do out of the love of our craft. Especially Poets. Being a poet is defintely not a lucrative industry/profession unless u’re Maya Angelou. And then even she has tapped into other forms of book writing. Anyway my point is Poets write because WE love the art form and feel that we truly have something that others want or need to hear. So it’s wonderful when people tell us that something we have written purely from our heart, soul and personal life experiences has moved them in some way. Two of my male co-workers bought copies of my book last week. And to my surprise one of them Cleveland, hasn’t stopped talking about it. It is such an amazing feeling to have him say how proud he is of me and my work. We have only kown each other about two months. And he has shared my book with others who are interested in pusrchasing copies of their own. Everytime someone saids to me “I love your book” I love your work” or “This particular poem touched me because” I get a wam and tingly feeling inside. Because it means so much to me. We never know how others will receive and/or relate to us and our feelings or if anyone will relate to us at all. Sometimes this world is so big, cold and scarey that we feel like we’re in it all by ourselves at times. We feel like our experiences are ours and ours alone. Eveytime we put pen to paper, step to a mic, or publish our thoughts for others to behold. It’s definitely a walk by faith and not by sight situation. So to have someone say to you a simple “Thank you means soooo much” It cost us nothing. Just like a smile or a hug. A thank you is free to give and receive and can make all the difference in a person’s day. Perhaps even in someone’s life. You just never know what it may mean to another. And often we are so busy with and in our own lives that we don’t take the time to care how we affect others. So to all of you who have taken time to offer your words of thanks and appreciation for my humble efforts, know that your words are truly cherished and will never be forgotten.

Many continued blessings to all of you,

AN

Trapped Butterfly

I feel an itty bitty spark of creativity trying to ignite in me. But I don’t know if I have enough enrgy or motivation to allow it to manifest. I haven’t been able to write anything in months. And all that I have been through I should have 2 more completed books my now. I feel myself slipping away into this deep dark pit of nothingness and I don’t know how to stop it and bring myself back to the Aria Nicole that I use to know and love. I feel like a stranger trapped inside my own body all because of this corp. amerikkka job that I hate. This place that I hate so much is full of people that are back stabbing and conieving. My spirit is kind and loving and won’t allow me to feel comfortable here. I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of contempt and hate. Lost in a world where people are so selfish, money hungry and thoughtless. They lie, cheat and even steal to get what they want. But as ruthless as they are they can’t handle someone telling them how they feel or that they are wrong. They don’t want you to have a backbone and stand up for yourself and tell them whats right. They take your words and twist them into something that they are not and were never meant to be. They use them against you to make YOU appear to be the crazy one. The one who’s irrational when all you want is justice for being violated. But they don’t give you justice. Instead they give you injustice and victimize you reaptedly. I don’t know how they sleep at night or look themselves in the face. Maybe they are vampires and don’t sleep. Perhaps they have no mirrors in the caves in which they reside. I will never understand how such evilness can live in a place that God created to be so beautiful. I pray everyday that God will release me from this bondage of corp amerikkka. He’s knows my heart and how colorful I am. After all he made me this way. He knows I don’t belong here, I never have and I never will. I have faith that God will place me in a position where my colored wings will be able to spread across his beautiful sky. A postition that means something and makes people happy. A position where I can finally do his work and not man’s. I have faith that I will be delivered. But until that day comes, just refer to me as a “Trapped Butterfly.”

You know sometimes there comes a point in our lives when we just have to take all the baggage, lies, and hurtful things that we have been living with and just release it to the universe. Trust me the universe can handle it alot better than we can. It was designed to do so. I have learned this very important life lesson lately thanks to life coach Iyanla Vanzant and the women of the “Starting Over House.” That is by far the best reality show on televison because unlike the others no one is in the house to win a large sum of money at the end of the season. No one is competing for anything. All the women are there for one goal and that goal is for a better life than they one they are currently living. We all have demons some are worse than others but the point is we all have them and if you haven’t experienced yours already. Trust if you continue to live you will encounter them and you need to know how to handle them so that they don’t break and destroy you. My aunt passed away this week. My brother called me last night with the news. I called my cousin today to offer my condolences to her and her kids and my father was there. I haven’t seen or spoken to him in years. Since 1991 to be exact. Suprisingly It didn’t anger me. I realized at that moment that I am no longer angry at him. Nor do I hate him. I am so grateful that he wasn’t apart of my or my brother’s life growing up because he had alot of problems. Problems that would have not been good for us as little kids to be exposed to. I am grateful becacuse my brother and I both have had such blessed and love filled lives. And neither one of us turned out anything like our father. My brothr was able to forgive alot sooner than I was. Then again maybe I had forgiven our father and just didn’t realize it until I heard his familiar voice on the other end of the phone today. I know that, that probably made him smile all day despite the fact that he is mourning his sister. He has never denied me or my brother. He just didn’t know how to be a father to us or a husband to his wife.. Now that I’m older I understand that. He said that he’s getting his life together and if that is true then I’m truly happy for him. He’s the one who has to live with the type of father or lack there of that he has been to his children. I have not forgivirn him to ease his conscience so that he can die in peace… No I forgave him to ease mine. I refuse to wake up another day with hate and contempt in my heart. We have and have always had a sad relationship. However it’s far from tragic. I will come face to face with him soon at my aunts funeral. And I’m ok with that. We will never have a daddy and his little princess relationship. But we can be civil now and that atleast on my part is a big step.

“Soon one morning when this life is over I’ll fly away”

This song always reminds me of my grandmother. It was one of her fovorite songs and also one that she personnally requested to be sang at her funeral. Today this song has been heavy on my mind. I have been very heavy hearted all day today over the news that Mrs. Coretta Scott King passed away. My heart and spirit are always heavy when we, especially those of us in the black community lose such iconic figurers. But today, I feel it truly is the end of an era. The King legacy is now forever changed. Mrs. Coretta Scott King is the one and only person from the civil rights movement that I was ever fortunate enough to meet and share her space. Even if it was for just a little while. Not only have I been physically touched by her (when she shook my hand) but I was also touched by her spiritually. So today as thoughts of her took control of my day. I had to stop and think about why her passings has affected me so differently than that of Mrs. Rosa Parks only a few months ago. I think it’s because for one, although I have always thought of Mrs. Parks as an iconic figure. Had it not been for her tired worn out feet and courage I may still be forced to give up my seat on the front of the bus, or enter through the back doors instead of the front. I may not have this beautiful rainbow of sister/friends that I cherish and love with all my heart. Perhaps I am affected more heavily because although I respect, admire, and appreciate them for their civil rights contributions equally. I was never blessed with the oppertunity to meet Mrs. Parks. But I have lived in the same city with Mrs. King all my life. I have performed at the King center. I have atteneded Ebenezer Baptist church. The same churched that was bombed all those years ago. The same church where Dr. King’s very own mother was killed. I have walked many of the same steps as Mrs. King. Sat in seats that she may have sat in. Held onto stair railings that her hands most likely have also touched. She was more than just an icon that we read about in history books. What little there is to read about her. She was real. A person that could be touched. Someone who has lived most of her life under an microscope and yet did it with such grace and elegance. She raised four children as a single mother not because that’s the life she chose for herself but because it was the life chosen for her. For many of us especially those of us raisd in the southern states such as Goergia, Alabama, and Mississippi Mrs. Coretta Scott King was as close as we’re gonna get to royalty in America. She was our Jackie Kennedy Onasis. Without her the King legacy will never be the same. Atlanta will never be the same. I will never be the same. Hopefullly I will be a thousands time better because I was touched by such a remarkable woman. There has been an unsettling peace over the city all day today. Or maybe that’s just my imagination and the unsetteling peace that I feel is my own mourning. I don’t really know. I just know that what I feel is heavy.

Rest In Peace Mrs. Coretta Scott King. I am very happy that you are reunited with your husband. You two belong together. Now you have eternity.

Hey all my BEAUTIFUL people!!! What’s good for the new year? I know it’s been months since I’ve been around. But hopefully I’m back and here to stay. I just want to take a moment to thank those of you who have been so loyal and supportive of me and my message board while I was away. Thank you for all of the gifts, cards, phone calls, and well wishes that you sent my way during my illness. Know that I cherish each of them and will always. I feel so blessed to have you all in my life and knowing that you love me truly made my time away more pleasant. I thought of all of you often and wanted so bad to talk with you and hang out all day chatting and being silly with you all like we did before. I have missed you all so much…

Now I pray that 2006 will be one of the best years ever for all of us. I’m sending all of my love and support to u. I know that new life has emerged for us because we have a new baby in the family. Congratulations to Alisha and PJ on the birth of their new little princess Nevaeh. Congratulations to those of you starting new jobs. And those of you who have graduated from school. I wish you all the best. 2006 will also bring on new relationships, the end of current ones, and new beginnings for many of us. This is our chance to start anew. Make amends, give life more than what we gave it in 2005. As long as we stand strong and continune to love and support one another through all that we may encounter this year. We will succeed and continue to come out on top.

Here’s to Life, Love and the SISTERHOOD that we share.

Love always,

Aria Nicole.

Tuesday Oct. 18, 2005 I had the honor and previledge of being the featured poet of “Poet’s Cafe” here in Atlanta GA. I must say that depsite my not feeling well I was able to push that to the back of my mind and did the damn thing. After all the show must go on right?

The crowd was intimate only about 20 people, we had a few stragglers to show up almost at the end. But I actually like the smaller crowds it’s easier to make eye contact and there is more of a direct connection with the people. I had about 10 other poets sign the list for the open mic portion of the show. As the featured poet it was up to me how I wanted to conduct the evening. Having that option I decided to open the show with a few of my pieces, then call on a few poets on the list and then I took the mic again. I basically did that because I liked the idea of having a little variety and since I wasn’t feeling well it allowed me little breaks to rest. There were a few moments when I had to allow on my sometimes wacky sense of humor to break free, lol. Right before I read “Ode’s to Black Poets” I said that “I wrote this poem the day after my 25th birthday, which feels like many, many, many moons ago” The crowd laughed at me and basically told me to stop tripping. One man yell out that I act like I’m as old as Harriet Tubman, lol. Then there was another poet who goes by the name of “Honey LaLa” who was all about love that night. She read a poem about this fine brother she saw on the train one morning on her way to work. After she was done I said “All I wanna know is what line are you on because I need to start going that way to work.” ALL the ladies were quick to cosign on that one.
Overall the show was good. I even had a few special request, and I truly enjoyed the other poets that night.

My set included (not in this order)

Kind of Blue
Evolution of a Nonconformist
Troubled
Free
Green
Cover 2 Cover
Last Night
Fire
4 Days and 3 Nights
Home-Less
Ode to Black Poets
Trapped
The Way I Flow

I think out of all the poems I did that night “Trapped” was the one that really drove the crowd wild. They just new I was talkin about a man so the last line really blew them away. That was the last poem of the night for me. Everyone came up to me after the show and told me how well the enjoyed the show and my poems. One young man told me that he didn’t like poetry before, but that he like mine because I was deep. I don’t really think I’m that deep at all. I just think that I write in a way that’s easy for others to relate and understand. Whatever the case he gave me a big old hug and ordered a copy of my book right then. One of the poets called me later that night when I got home and told me that “I was the first featured poet that she has truly enjoyed. She said that my poetry had substance and that I was awesome. That really did my heart good to hear because I was feeling a little unsure of my performance. It’s true that we really are our own worse critics. I feel good about how the show went. Of course there are things that I want to work on and improve so that the next show will be even better.

Until next time remember that it is never to late to follow your dreams… Much Love

Aria Nicole