The extraordinary is always possible. . Never limit yourself or life's potential. GM

How I Got Started:

What started out in looking for a new hair cut idea, turned into a campaign to raise support and awareness for women in Congo by climbing the world’s 7 summits. Sound a little crazy? Probably.

In late 2007 I read an article that changed my life and set me on a mission to empower women in Congo (Glamour Magazine-read the article). The article educated me on the fact  that thousands of women and girls were being sexually abused, which was unfathomable and unacceptable. 

No victim was too young or old ranging from only a few months old to women in their late 70s. Why did no one know this was happening? I immediately decided to create the Climb Take Action~7 Summits Challenge, geared at raising funds and awareness for women in Congo as I attempted to fulfill my dream of climbing the world’s Seven Summits.The stories of survival through unthinkable odds and hardships of these women inspired me to do something to help them. My goal is to raise awareness to worst case of sexual violence in the world and help provide the necessary physical, emotional, and economic support needed by these women in order to help them empower themselves. I figured people run marathons, participate in triathlons, etc for charity; why not climb?

I hope others will join us in this initiative and am so grateful to those who already have. Together we can make a difference.

When I first set off on this challenge back in 2007, I could barely run a mile and had never climbed anything. I have never been considered an athlete by any means (voted most improved in every sport I played...lol). I knew this challenge would require extensive training, mental preparation, and commitment. So for starters I signed up for a mountaineering course on Mt. Rainier, my first real climb, and a month later I was off to climb Europe's highest peak, Mt. Elbrus in 2008! My undivided focus and determination has gotten me up 5 of the 7 summits thus far and I am confident that if nature allows, I will be able to make my dream of reaching the 7 come true. I am 100% committed to achieving the mission of this campaign. I am off to my second attempt at my sixth summit, Mt. Everest in April 2013l!! In 2011 I made it to the Balcony of Everest 8400m.

This journey has changed me in so many ways and helped me grow as a person. It has made me aware of the extreme hardships women face around the world and developed a strong passion in me to make the world a better place for women in general. Women deserve to be empowered. Endless studies show that more female economic empowerment can improve global economies. I am a firm believer. I am so grateful to be on this journey and see and experience life as I could have never imagined. The world is such a big and beautiful place and the mountains have developed a very special place in my heart.  It has come with personal sacrifice, but worth every bit of it. 

How I Chose the Charities to Support: 

In researching various humanitarian organizations actively working with these women, I discovered International Medical Corps, and was extremely impressed with their dedicated efforts in the Congo for the past decade and their overlying objective of going from relief to self-reliance. Also Eve Ensler's organization V-DAY was doing remarkable work in DRC and she was my source of inspiration with her article, thus our efforts also support her work. I have been privileged to visit with some of the survivors at settlement camps and I cannot tell you how much they appreciate any kind of support they receive, especially when they have been forced to flee from their homes and communities and organizations such as those we support become their only source of hope. 

Good health is the key to any person being able to function and succeed in life. Join me in helping International Medical Corps (IMC) and VDAY, improve the health and well-being of thousands of women and children affected by war, rape, and chronic poverty in Congo. All donations are tax deductible. Every little bit makes a difference. I understand that aid is needed here at home and in many parts of the world, yet the humanitarian crisis occurring in Congo and the sexual violence against women and girls is the worst in the world. Every little bit helps!

These are everyday women like you, me, our mothers, our sisters, our friends, or our children that are suffering and have undergone experiences you or I could probably not imagine. They need our help for basic survival and to begin their road to empowerment. Although this is an extreme and complex problem, there is something all of us can do to help.

I encourage you to read through our site, learn about these women, they are strong and resilient, and they need our help. It is truly remarkable what some of these women have endured and yet survive and continue to fight to live and support their families. They are true image and symbol of strength and my motivating force. These climbs are for them! I know I cannot personally imagine enduring some of the abuse.

Not everyone dreams of climbing the 7 summits, but everyone does have a dream. My advice for what it’s worth, is to Go For It! Life is too short and we all have the power to make a difference :-)

Start making a difference today and join us in our efforts!

Much Love,

Georgina Miranda

MY BIO

In a Nutshell :)

A business woman and explorer at heart. Passionate about living out my vision for my life and inspiring others to do the same. Life is too short to not live out our dreams or at least make a good attempt to. The extraordinary is always possible; never limit yourself or life’s potential. I’m a Dreamer. I’m a Doer. I’m a Visionary. I’m a Helpless Romantic. I Believe in Empowering Women. I Like to Dream Big. I Love Entrepreneurship. I Believe in Helping Others. I Love to Dance. I Love The Outdoors. I Am Always Game for an Adventure. I am Passionate. I Have Made Mistakes. I am Not Perfect or Claim to Be. I Do Not Have All the Answers. I Love Fun. I Love to Smile. I Love International Travel and Business. I Love Seeing the World With a Fresh Perspective. I Believe Nothing Comes Easy. I Believe Life is a Journey. I Believe in Personal Legends. I Believe We All Have A Purpose for Living. I Believe We All Have the Ability to Inspire. I Love to Push Myself to Go to Places I Never Thought I Could Go To. I Love Living.