another lisa

This year's Olympic's is spotlighting women in several ways. I thought it was amazing to see eight women carry in the Olympic flag at the opening ceremonies. What a great moment!

For the first time in history, women from different backgrounds, cultures and professions, all with strong civil commitments carried the flag together into the stadium. Eight women representing all women in the world symbolizing peace, fraternity and communication among cultures.

These women included: Sophia Loren: Italy - Actress, Goodwill Ambassador UNHCR, Cinema icon, winner of two Academy Awards, in 1960 for best actress and 1991 for her career; Isabel Allende: Chile - Writer and journalist, greatest Latin-American writer, her books are translated in over 30 languages. Founder of Isabel Allende Foundation, supporting education and protection of underprivileged women and children; Nawal El Moutawakel: Morocco - 400-meter hurdles gold medalist, Los Angeles 1984, First African Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal; Susan Sarandon: United States - Actress, Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations refugee agency, One of the most acclaimed actresses of the international panorama of the movie business, winner of one Academy Award (1995), liberal and pacifist; Wangari Maathai: Kenya - Environmentalist, Peace Nobel in 2004, Founder of Green Belt Movement (against the uncontrolled deforestation). Since 1977 has planted over 10 million trees in Kenya. She is Minister of Environment and Natural Resources in Kenya; Manuela Di Centa: Italy - Nordic skiing, seven gold medals, she participated in four Olympic Games, winning two gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals. IOC member; Maria Mutola: Mozambique - 800-meter gold medalist in Sydney 2000, the woman from Mozambique to win an Olympic gold medal; Somaly Mam: Cambodia - Human rights activist, Founder of AFESIP Acting for Women in Distressing Situations. Has been fighting for years against sexual mistreatment of the Cambodian young women.


Canada has two medals so far, both held by women. It was neat seeing Jennifer Heil win the gold for women's moguls - she was so proud to see the Canadian flag go up and she even sang the anthem!














And have you seen the women's hockey team? Wow! They are amazing. What kills me is that some people are complaining that they are getting too many goals. Apparently getting huge scores against the Italians and Russian women's teams isn't "nice". Can you imagine sports commentators saying that about men's hockey? Give me a break!