Ah, to be a woman. We represent 70 percent of the world's poor, perform 66 percent of the world's work and produce 50 percent of the world's food, but only earn 10 percent of the income and own 1 percent of the property. Only 3.6% of overseas development assistance was earmarked for gender equality (UNIFEM). For every dollar of development assistance, only two cents goes to girls (Girl Effect). About 70% of casualties in recent conflicts are women and children (UNIFEM) and the forms of violence they experience include torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution and mutilation (UN).

You're too old now to make her the usual macaroni necklace and hand drawn card, so this year, why not sponsor a woman in need in her name?

"Women to Women International is Women for Women International (WWI) provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies. Your monthly contribution will provide a woman in a developing country with rights awareness education and job skills training so she can continue to support her family in the future. She will also receive a portion of your contribution in direct aid so she can provide her family with basic necessities. You'll not only know her name, you can exchange letters. In fact, your letters are a powerful tool for helping women in these desperate regions of the world know that there is someone out there who knows of her existence, who actually cared enough to sponsor her and write to her. Many women in our programs have never received a letter addressed to them, so you can't imagine the impact it has on her self-esteem."

For more information on sponsoring via Women to Women International, Click HERE.

Amy Bizzarri is a mom of two living in Logan Square. She also blogs at tiramisumom.com.

See more of Amy's stories here.

Our picks

What's Up This Weekend

Best Chicago Icons

Spring Crafts

Rainy Day Fun

Chicago neighborhood guides