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About the Event:

Across global regions, women and girls experience compounded injustice rooted in an intersectionality of issues. These harms include sexual and gender-based violence, forced and child marriage, trafficking, forced displacement, denial of legal documentation, persecution, and systemic exclusion from protection and remedies. When justice systems fail to respond, women—especially mothers—become the frontline defenders of children, culture, and community survival. The Beijing Declaration affirms that the human rights of women and girls are an inalienable and indivisible part of universal human rights, including freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Oftentimes, justice systems fail to respond quickly- if at all- yet women are somehow still finding healing, resilience, and empowerment. We will hear firsthand accounts of the tools and mechanisms they have employed to accomplish this.  Big Ocean Women takes an evidence-based approach to healing through its Model of Powerful Impact, which recognizes that sustainable justice begins with women’s lived authority and expands outward in concentric circles:

• Women as moral agents and protectors can impact families as the first site of safety and healing

• Families can impact communities as spaces of restoration and continuity

• Communities can impact society is strengthened by women-led stability

From a maternal feminist lens, justice cannot be reduced to courts and statutes alone. Justice must also heal. When institutions fail, mothers protect children, preserve spiritual and cultural dignity, transmit resilience across generations, and rebuild life after violence. This is not an insignificant contribution. The state does not delegate this authority—it is inherent, relational, and sacred. This parallel event asserts that healing is not secondary to justice; it is foundational to it. By centering women’s authority and community-based healing, Big Ocean Women reframes access to justice as a living process that restores dignity, safeguards families, and stabilizes societies.

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In Summary, across global regions, women and girls face intersecting forms of discrimination and abuse. When formal justice systems fail to rectify these wrongs, comfort and healing may appear to elude victims. Yet, women and mothers are showing up as human rights defenders, cultural influencers for change, and intergenerational agents for healing and resilience. This event will highlight real accounts of effective survivor-led approaches that lead to healing and resilience. Our audience will leave feeling empowered with a new perspective on justice-based tensions.

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Meet our Speakers:

Fatima Njoku:

Fatima Njoku is a devoted wife, mother, and leader who embodies the core values of faith, family, and motherhood upheld by Big Ocean Women. A committed member of the organization for over eight years, Fatima has faithfully served and grown within the community, inspiring women through her dedication and leadership. Married for 14 years and blessed with three children, she skillfully balances family life with her professional and academic pursuits. A lawyer by training and currently a Ph.D. candidate, Fatima is passionate about lifelong learning and personal growth. Although she loves reading, her busy schedule often leaves her wishing for more hours in the day. Beyond her family and academic commitments, Fatima serves as the President of the Jos, Nigeria Pioneer W.A.V.E., leading a vibrant community of over one hundred women. She also holds the position of Regional Manager for West Africa, where she continues to empower and support women across the region with vision, integrity, and heart.

Cara Baldree

Cara Baldree is a woman of great faith and courage who relishes in sharing her love for Jesus Christ. Professionally, she works as an instructional coach at an elementary school and holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. As a ritual abuse survivor who knows the depths and miracles of a healing journey, Cara has become deeply committed to child advocacy, feeling a lifelong calling to protect children from abuse and to support survivors. Learning about policy reform has become a highlight in her journey as she championed pioneering legislation to illegalize ritual abuse in Utah. She continues to advocate for other legislation to help children be safer. Cara treasures being with family and friends, laughter, travel, and heartfelt music. She believes a beautiful pair of shoes or radiant jewelry can brighten even the cloudiest days.

Albert M. Pooley

Albert M. Pooley is the Founder and President of the Native American Fatherhood & Families Association (NAFFA), based in Mesa, Arizona. A proud member of both the Hopi and Navajo cultures, he has dedicated his career to strengthening Native American families and communities through education, advocacy, and cultural preservation. Mr. Pooley holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and has extensive experience as a marriage and family counselor.

Carolina Sagebin Allen

Carolina Sagebin Allen is the founder and leader of Big Ocean Women, an international maternal feminist organization representing the perspectives of faith, family, and motherhood across civil society. A native of Brazil and fluent in multiple languages, Carolina holds a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Utah, where she focused on cultural religions and the philosophy of science. Driven by a deep conviction that women’s inherent strengths can be a force for good in families, communities, and the world, she founded Big Ocean Women with a vision of transforming individual “waves” into a collective global ocean of positive impact. Under her leadership, Big Ocean Women has grown into a global sisterhood — training and empowering hundreds of women in over 20 nations through maternal leadership development, community building, and educational engagement. Carolina is a sought-after speaker on maternal feminism and cultural leadership and has represented Big Ocean Women at international forums, including engagements connected with United Nations advocacy, where the organization brings faith-based maternal perspectives into global conversations. Her philosophy centers on the belief that women’s unique capacities — rooted in motherhood, care, and relational leadership — are essential for shaping healthy homes and flourishing societies. Carolina lives with her family in the United States and continues to expand Big Ocean Women’s global reach through community initiatives, mentorship programs, and resources that equip mothers to lead with clarity, conviction, and compassion

Grace Raje

Grace Raje is a student pursuing a degree in Global Politics with minors in Cultural Anthropology and Deaf Studies. She is the current Director of Global Strategy with Big Ocean Women and has served in several leadership capacities within BOW since 2016. Grace is an advocate for women’s dignity and survivor-centered healing. After experiencing childhood sexual violence and the absence of legal accountability, she developed a lifelong commitment to addressing the gap between formal justice and lived justice. Grace’s work advocated for policy reform, healing, and the role of women—especially mothers—as stabilizing forces within families and communities.

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