October 12, 2008: My time here in Rome has been both academically and individually fruitful. As a Women's and Gender Studies student I have been able to reflect and theorize both in and outside of the classroom. I am loving my time here being able to study, travel, and have a lot of fun.

Tonight was a very interesting and exciting night here in Rome. Along with the Community of Sant'Egidio (a Catholic lay movement focused on prayer, friendship and social justice) I participated in a candle light vigil that brought thousands of Jews and Christians together to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the the Nazi deportation of Jews from Rome to concentration camps. This event was falling at a very interesting moment after a week filled with a significant buzz around Pope Benedict XVI's support of the beatification of Pope Pius XII (a debated player during the Holocaust). Beginningoutside of the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trestevere, one of the oldest Christian churches in all of Rome, we walked across the city until we arrived in the Jewish ghetto.

Streets were filled to hear the voices of religious leaders and politicians speak about peace, ecumenism, and living every day lives of compassion across religious boundaries. I was able to experience this event from a unique perspective, having been askedalong with individuals from each continent to carry candles leading the procession There was a unique sense of community and family among the people. This event was of particular significance because a government leader, who had once aligned with a fascist Roman party, spoke about unity and creating bonds. While these speeches were significant the moment was made beautiful by a collective energy and hope towards the future. The spirit of remembrance was strong, but the hope and belief in tomorrow rang even louder.

As I walked home I reflected on the evening and when in my life I have been a part of something that has sought this sort of peace. Thinking back on what each speaker had said I realized that every speaker was male. Had any one else noticed this? Was it a problem, and is it worth noting? Was everyone who was affected by this event adequately represented by an all-male speaking panel? Tonight was about human rights, about not letting religious identity create boundaries, and only men spoke on behalf of those affected these horrific historical events.I am left wondering when and where men's voices are the only ones allowed to speak on behalf of everyone.

I have a curiosity reflecting in how men and women are allowed (or not) to speak for all people. Are female voices heard as being universal in the ways that men's often are? Along with many feminist scholars, I have recognized that we live in a androcentric society. In many avenues, from pop-culture to politics, men are viewed as representatives of all people, while women often are only able to be representatives of other women.Tonight was a special night indeed, it was a beautiful night of community, but a moment to think about how history is written and whose voices are heard.