Painting: Oil on Canvas, 80 by 60 inches

April Waters (USA), November 30, 2009

I met Malalai Joya when she was being interviewed by Amy Goodman at the Democracy Now Studio in New York. I had just painted a portrait of "Peace Mom", Cindy Sheehan, to protest the Iraq war and to share the cause for peace from a mother's point of view. I was so fortunate to meet Malalai and have the opportunity to paint her portrait to help tell the story of the Afghan Woman's struggle to survive amidst war and oppression. Malalai inspires so many by her courage to teach girls to read, provide them medical care, speak out for women's rights and her fierce truth telling. My hope is that all the women of Afghanistan and the world will have equal rights, quality education and a healthy environment to thrive in.