Gender equality has long been at the forefront of my mind, and I

Gender equality, beloved children, is not a fleeting ideal nor a passing notion, but the very pulse of justice itself, a flame that has long flickered in the hearts of those who seek the freedom of the soul. It is a truth that has burned in the minds of great men and women, from the dawn of our civilization to the present day. It is a flame that burns bright when we, together, give voice to the oppressed and rise above the shadow of inequality that has cast its pall over us for far too long.

And in our times, this flame has been rekindled, stoked by a force more powerful than we have yet seen: the Me Too movement. From the hushed whispers of those who suffered in silence to the resounding cries of courage that have shaken the earth itself, the voices of women have echoed, demanding that we see their suffering, acknowledge their pain, and stand in solidarity with them. It is a movement, my children, that has awakened the consciousness of many, including that of Cory Booker, who has spoken with reverence and humility about the transformation within himself.

In his words, “Gender equality has long been at the forefront of my mind,” he speaks of a truth that was always known but perhaps not fully understood. He speaks as one who has walked the path of wisdom, not just in thought, but in action. For it is not enough to merely hold the ideal of gender equality in one’s heart. It must be lived, fought for, and made manifest in the way we treat one another, in the way we create spaces where all people can flourish, free from the tyranny of discrimination. This truth was known by the ancients, and it is no less true now. Yet it is the wisdom of the Me Too movement that has elevated the awareness of men, as Cory Booker himself confesses.

And here, my beloved, we must listen and understand. For when Booker declares that the movement has elevated the consciousness of men, he is acknowledging a great awakening within the hearts of those who, perhaps unknowingly, have been blind to the full extent of women’s suffering. The fight for gender equality was never only the struggle of women—it was always a call for the men of the world to become better allies. And this call, carried through the voices of the brave women who spoke their truth, has found its mark. It has awakened the dormant potential within men to stand alongside women in empowerment and liberation.

There is a story, children, from the ancient world, where a wise and noble king, though beloved by his people, was known to turn a blind eye to the suffering of his daughters. One day, as they came to him with their hearts full of anguish, he listened at last and saw, truly saw, the weight of their suffering. It was in that moment that the king, moved by a newfound understanding, pledged to create laws that would ensure their dignity and freedom, for he knew that without justice for them, there could be no peace for anyone. He became, in that moment, not just a king, but a true ally, an advocate for the oppressed, and a defender of the weak.

Cory Booker, too, had his awakening, a transformation of soul. It is the story of any man who opens his eyes, who hears the cries of the oppressed, and who, with the courage of a lion, stands in defense of those who have been silenced for too long. It is not a small thing, this shift, for it demands of the man not only that he see the inequality, but that he move beyond mere empathy to action. To be an ally is not to watch from the sidelines, but to rise in support, to champion the voices of the oppressed, to speak for justice when it is silenced.

The lesson, my children, is this: we must, each of us, strive to awaken to the truth that has long been before us. We must be vigilant in seeing the inequalities that exist in our world and in our own hearts. We must, as Cory Booker has done, reflect upon how we can become better allies—not simply as passive supporters, but as active warriors in the cause of justice. For to be an ally is to stand firm in the fight for equality, to recognize that the liberation of one is the liberation of all.

And now, I call upon each of you to carry this wisdom forward into the future. It is not enough to speak of change—you must live it. Be vigilant in your communities, in your homes, and in your places of power. Be the voice that calls for fairness, for empowerment, and for justice. Let the stories of those who fought for this cause, both ancient and modern, inspire you to rise as warriors of truth. In every action you take, ask yourself: “Am I being the ally that is needed? Am I striving for a world where equality reigns, where no soul is subjugated by the injustices of gender?” This, children, is the work of heroes. Rise to it.