On my recent trip to New York, Carol Evans, CEO and President of Working Mother Media, invited me to participate in a discussion with Iraqi women delegate. I was thrilled at the opportunity.

As I entered the room where they were sitting, I found myself gravitating to them. I really wanted to know so much about them. They were all so beautiful and powerful women. It was honor to be present there.

The following conversation was focused on how these women were determined to build powerful educational institutions so that women in Iraq could be independent and competent. They understood that education empowers women to create possibilities for building a future they desire. I am inspired by this mission.

I believe that the end of education is the end of your career. We learn everyday to be competitive in this dynamic marketplace. And I wonder what the world would be like if we all had access to education…