by Trisha Heddlesten

Statistics on the abuse and marginalization of women worldwide are sobering. More people are becoming aware of the grave circumstances for millions around the globe who are in danger just because of their gender. But most people feel helpless to do anything about it.

There are people in Oklahoma City who believe that every person can play a part in bringing love, hope, and a future to women, and that we can accomplish this better together than apart.

Several local non-profit organizations have partnered to bring the third annual Marked event to Oklahoma City. On Sunday, March 4, the OKC Farmers Market will be transformed into a multicultural marketplace and social justice classroom. Hand-made, fair-trade items will be sold to benefit marginalized women, and informational seminars will be held throughout the day.

Partners of Marked will be present throughout the day to help participants learn tangible ways to give back to women in their local and global communities. These partners are trusted nonprofit agencies, ministries, churches, or businesses that actively bring freedom and the hope of Jesus to women all over the world. Visitors can spend time visiting with partners to learn how to give time, prayers, and/or financial resources to women in need.

The event will be open from 1–8 pm, with enough activities to keep visitors busy all day. Interactive learning stations, specialty coffee and ethnic treats, and prayer stations will surround the international market and partner booths, with a variety of social justice classes taking place nearly every hour.

Optional classes will include such topics as human trafficking, empowerment through education and economy, specific health challenges, and issues facing women in Oklahoma. Marked emphasizes the education and enlightenment of our city in regards to women’s issues, and the seminars are taught by leaders experienced in the fight against these concerns.

Marked is designed to help everyone in attendance see how they can make a difference to women all over the world. The mission of the Marked partnership is to encourage every person in Oklahoma City to make tangible and long-lasting changes in their lives that positively impact women.

The nonprofits involved in the planning of this event include All Things New Campaign (providing rescue and restoration to trafficking survivors in Oklahoma City), Maisha International Orphanage (bringing hope to women and children in Kenya), The Well (a ministry bringing hope and healing to the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Spero:Voice (mobilizing the Church on behalf of international refugees living in Oklahoma City).

The Marked partners have focused their mission on the Church of Oklahoma City to lead the way in caring for the marginalized, and would love to see all of OKC involved in caring about the treatment of women and coming together to do something about it.

Following the Marked event, staff members and key volunteers from partner organizations will join for a 3-day retreat called postMARKed, with a very intentional purpose: to grow in knowledge that helps us meet the needs of women. Counselors will share about techniques for working with traumatized women, “Business as Mission” leaders will talk about how to empower women to make change for their own community, and Pastors will share about how to meet the spiritual needs of women. Leaders from ministries in Africa, Asia, and the U.S. will be learning how to take specific steps to apply the momentum from the Marked event! If you would like an invitation to this retreat, please email the address below.

Anyone and everyone can make a difference! Marked OKC is a collaborative effort on both the local and global scale. All are encouraged to get informed, get excited, and get involved. You can help make Marked OKC a success by volunteering to help staff the MARKED event on March 4, or simply helping to spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, and in person.

If you would like to get involved, email marked@thesperoproject.com or go to markedokc.com.

Women should never be marked by statistics of death, of torture, or of fear. Women should be marked by love, hope, and a future. You can help the movement in the right direction.