Lisa Shannon had a good life—a successful business, a fiancé, a home, and security. Then one day in 2005, an episode of Oprah changed her life. The show focused on women in the Congo, a place known as the worse place on earth to be a woman. She was suddenly awakened to the atrocities there—millions dead, women being raped and tortured, children starving and dying in shocking numbers. It was then that Lisa realized she had to do something—and she did.

A Thousand Sisters is Lisa Shannon’s inspiring memoir. She shares her story of how she raised money to sponsor Congolese women, beginning with one solo 30-mile run, and then founded a national organization, Run for Congo Women. The book chronicles her journeys to the Congo, meeting many of the sponsored women and hearing their stories firsthand. Along the way Lisa is forced to confront herself and learns lessons of survival, fear, gratitude, and love from the women of Africa.

This is also the story of how a single moment can change a life (and the lives of others). How a life’s mission can come to you, not in contemplation, but stretched out on the couch, watching TV, feeling depressed and vulnerable after the death of your father. If there ever was a story about how one woman makes a difference, this is it.

Lisa Shannon hopes that her story will inspire readers to reach out to the women of the Congo and join a sisterhood that transcends geographical and racial boundaries. A Thousand Sisters is a deeply moving call to action for each person to find in them the thing that brings meaning to a wounded world.

Check out some of the things people are saying about A Thousand Sisters, as well as interviews with Lisa Shannon:

PRAISE:

Mamavism Monday: Run for Congo Women

The Daily Femme: Recommended Interview with Lisa Shannon

INTERVIEWS:

A Deeper Look with Lisa J. Shannon

Word of Mouth—The Worst Place on Earth to Be a Woman

New Day Northwest—Lisa Shannon: A Thousand Sisters

Jack FM—A Heavy But Hopeful Read

Conversations Live with Vicki St. Clair