Celebrating Women's Equality Day

LtN strives to promote equality in all aspects of our programming and decision-making. We recognize that different peoples, communities, and governments often receive privileges that others do not. Today we would like to take some time to recognize and celebrate Women’s Equality Day.

Brooke Wilson, our Communications & Development Director, plays lacrosse with a young female LtN student-athlete in Managua, Nicaragua

In U.S. history, the right to vote has always been one of the primary methods through which the people’s voice was heard. It wasn’t until August 26, 1920, that women’s right to vote was ratified after years of women fighting to speak on their own behalf. There was, and continues to be, an extended adjustment period in politics and greater society as women immerse themselves into what was long considered a “man’s world.” Moreover, there are countless communities around the globe wherein women’s rights are still far, far behind those of U.S. women.

LtN Nicaragua coach, Darien Silva, observing practice with LtN student-athlete Nathaniel

Every year, Women’s Equality Day is celebrated in the United States to serve as a reminder of the national strides towards gender equality that have been made. We at LtN use this day also as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done both domestically in the United States and abroad in our Latin American communities. Women around the world put in hard work and dedicated time to shape their lives into a product of their own imaginations, but not everywhere can their efforts translate into changed realities. 

Shauna Pugliese, former LtN Panama volunteer, sharing some lacrosse insight at practice on Isla Bastimentos

LtN is proud to help young girls and women realize their full potential and to celebrate their strength. Through our all-girls programming lead by Coach and LtN Alum, Darien Silva, along with our scholarships and tutoring programs, we aim to provide safe and reliable spaces for girls to exercise, compete, learn about themselves, and observe strong role models.

We celebrate Women’s Equality Day and remind ourselves - and our audiences - that there is always more work to be done to level the playing field. We are grateful for all of the mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, cousins, and more that are role models for young girls and boys alike.

—Joanna, LtN Summer VISTA

World Humanitarian Day with LtN

On August 19, 2003, 22 United Nations and Relief Agency staff sacrificed their lives while performing humanitarian work at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq. The Canal Hotel was being used as UN headquarters at the time, and the attack was in response to the UN’s initiative to assist Iraq in it’s National Development efforts. The men and women who sacrificed their lives to help others were the epitome of humanitarian, and today we are celebrating them. World Humanitarian Day not only began from the inspiration those heroes dedicated their lives to, but to the hardworking humanitarians that continue to do so today. 

Humanitarian workers, otherwise known as aid workers, work and manage projects in areas suffering from hardships such as war, natural disasters, disease, and more. Typically, those who do humanitarian work take charge at the front-lines, making them vulnerable to injury and other hardship. Jobs in the humanitarian and aid worker fields can include social workers, nurses and doctors, foreign aid workers, and more. These jobs depend on communication, dedication, and empathy. Humanitarian workers act as real heroes, dedicating their lives to service and aid. 

The information listed above is considered a “traditional” definition of humanitarian workers, but we as LtN believe that every human can be a humanitarian. Humanitarian work can be done through little acts in daily life - holding the door open, teaching someone a new skill, being a good listener, and more. To LtN, humanitarians are those who simply seek to help support others, through everyday acts or dedicating their lives to it. Each humanitarian act makes a difference, and anyone can be a humanitarian. 

Just as humanitarian workers dedicate their lives to helping and serving others, LtN does the same in it’s programs. We work diligently to assist communities with their education programs, to immerse the communities in lacrosse, and to support them through the learning of life-skills, the development of pre-existing abilities, and more. We value human connection and the empathy that comes from building relationships, just as humanitarian workers do. Here at LtN, we celebrate humanitarian workers for all that they do, and recognize the bravery and resilience that they demonstrate everyday. (mentioning opening up ways for volunteers to do humanitarian work through us, etc)

There are many ways to celebrate World Humanitarian Day and to appreciate those who do humanitarian work. One way to celebrate is to thank all of the humanitarian workers that you know; give them a call, shoot them a text, make a post, and just let them know you see the hard work that they dedicate, and appreciate it. Another way to celebrate is to dedicate yourself to a humanitarian cause. This can be done through donations, spreading awareness, being an active participant in local humanitarian work in your community, and more. 

There are many ways to demonstrate appreciation, but the most important part of World Humanitarian Day is simply recognition. The smallest things can make the biggest difference, and it’s important to remember that everyone can be a hero, all it takes is a little bravery and dedication. Appreciate what others can do, and think of all the things you can do for others. Happy World Humanitarian Day, Lacrosse the Nations is thankful for all that you do!

Happy National Book Lovers Day!

Happy National Book Lovers Day! Our staff at LtN love to read, and research shows that there’s many benefits to it! For example, research shows that reading can reduce stress, make a person more empathetic, prevent cognitive decline with aging, and more. There are many different genres of books and audiobooks available for those of all ages, making it easier to find something to suit everyone. Our LtN staff reads a variety of books, and today, we’re sharing some of their favorites!

Starting off our reading list is Brooke, our Communications and Development Director! Brooke’s favorite book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The book follows Santiago, who is traveling in search of treasure. Along the way, he meets a few people who give him various stories and life lessons. Brooke loves that the book has so many universal concepts that circle back into her life, proving how they’re always relevant to what she’s experienced. She highly recommends it to anyone of any age and interest! 

Our Summer Vista’s Jack, Joanna, and Matt have some different tastes for reading! One of Jack’s personal favorites is Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins. This book is centered around transforming your life and pushing yourself to the full potential, which is why Jack likes it. Books like this one can be really insightful and helpful to those who always look for ways to improve and enjoy their lives. Joanna’s all-time favorite book is more of a short-story setting, titled Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. This book is a memoir about a student who revisits his former sociology professor as he is battling ALS. The book has many lessons within it about life and what’s truly important. While Joanna usually prefers adventurous, world-building books, this one truly has inspired and stuck with her. Matt, however, is a fan of a series everyone knows well: Harry Potter. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is Matt’s favorite! The world that J.K. Rowling has built within the series and the magic it holds is what makes it so enrapturing to everyone, including Matt! 

Maria, our VISTA Development Associate, has resonated deeply with a book titled Beyond Mountains written by Tracy Kidder. The book recounts Paul Farmer, the founder of Partners in Health, and his work ethic, drive, and passion to tackle public health problems in Haiti and around the world. The book left Maria on the edge of her seat and hanging on to every message the book offers; having trouble putting it down. The book focuses on the challenges that exist between developed countries and those countries that are still in the process, making it a great book for graduate students and those interested in public health. 

Reading can be many things to someone: a way to escape, something to wind down and enjoy, something to inspire. Books offer so much opportunity to learn and have fun, and the variety is never-ending. Today, take the time to share a favorite of yours, ask a friend or family their favorite, check out a new audiobook, or celebrate another way. We hope that you can take the time to appreciate reading as much as our staff does, and settle down tonight with a good book! 

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