What's the Marine Kore?

The Marine Kore is a figment of my imagination that I fervently hope becomes a reality. When I think about the men and women in the U.S. armed forces, the Marine Corp represents the soldiers in the trenches. The front line. Marines clear the beaches for everyone else to follow. They take big hits and carry deep honor. No Man Left Behind.

Kore is another name for Persephone, a Greek Goddess who was kidnapped by the God who wanted her as his consort. Her mother, Demeter was enraged (or deeply grieved depending on which version of the myth you read). In Demeter's grief and searching for her daughter, the Earth fell into a frozen state of eternal winter. Nothing grew. Nothing came to life. Nothing changed. Eventually, Persephone is the one to create balance between life and death. She shares her time as Queen of the underworld and as a Goddess who walks the Earth.

When she's out in the world, the Earth blossoms into Spring and Summer. When she returns to the underworld, the Earth falls into Winter.

Persephone, or Kore, runs neither from reality nor from her power. She brings transformation and recognizes what is at stake. She is not a silent captive. Like a third of the women (& girls)around the globe, Kore is a victim of violence. She is not; however, a victim. She creates a solution. Kore wins, and with her; the world wins.

The members of the Marine Kore are already out there. They are the women and men who have something to say about the horrifying oppression of women. My hope is to muse, inform, educate, activate, and from time to time rant a bit.

I am keenly aware that this is just one blog among thousands of blogs. If no one reads She Speaks, well...it was worth a shot! However, if someone does read then maybe someone will speak a little more and someone will do a little more and the Marine Kore will grow. There are effective and dynamic ways to fight the worldwide tyranny and oppression of women without ever leaving home (not that leaving home is a bad thing). Right now, this is just a blog. Maybe someday it will be something more. If remains just a blog though, and it makes even a small difference somewhere, for even one girl or woman...then the Marine Kore has done its job.

We change the lives of women, we change the world.