My first significant job began during University when I got involved with Jimmy Carter's first campaign for President.  The deeper reason for my support had to do with the values, thoughtfulness and compassion of President Carter.

Sometimes controversial, always courageous, President Carter continues his work through The Elders, an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. One of The Elders recent initiatives promotes Equality for Women & Girls.

I was particularly moved by this article from The Age , written by Jimmy Carter, in support of that initiative:

Losing My Religion for Equality
Jimmy Carter

Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.
I have been a practicing Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort tome, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around theworld. So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be"subservient" to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons,pastors or chaplains in the military service.

This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple. This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women's equal rights across the world for centuries.

To read the full article, click here.