Thread by @EBKania

I want to tell you about some of the bravest women I've ever known.

I want you to know how much each has overcome, as in choosing to pursue military service or becoming a policewoman, despite the many dangers and obstacles of being an Afghan woman in uniform even before the fall of Kabul. nytimes.com/2018/10/05/mag…

I want you to recognize and appreciate how hard each had worked and fought to succeed, often thriving despite these challenges and contributing to their country's security. These women have been our allies and contributed to the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan for years.

Whether she received combat training, was a nurse or a specialist in logistics, worked to counter domestic violence and human trafficking, or was a cadet just starting her career, those of these women who remain in Afghanistan are in the gravest of danger kristv.com/national/newsy…

Any woman who worked with the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces now could be a target. Several women within this community have been brutally beaten or assassinated. Those who remain are in hiding and living in fear and with constant threats. rukhshana.com/en/the-undergr…

As the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, most of these women are, at best, very food insecure. Several will soon be starving, along with their children, if there is not large-scale humanitarian assistance in response to this emergency. nytimes.com/2021/12/04/wor…

Beyond the tragedy and travesty of U.S. mistakes throughout decades of war in Afghanistan, there is the grave moral injury of the manner in which the withdrawal was undertaken, leaving behind so many of our allies and those who should be among the highest priorities for asylum.

These women chose to serve despite the threats and "risked their lives to protect the United States, its allies, and the Afghan government’s interests in promoting values such as democracy, equality, and justice as part of Afghanistan’s transformation..." nationalinterest.org/feature/americ…

Personally and professionally, I truly believe U.S. action and support to ensure these women's survival—and their evacuation and resettlement to countries where each can continue her life in peace and safety—is a moral imperative of the very highest urgency.

I cannot overstate the human costs and consequences of a failure to take action. I never served in Afghanistan, but I've had the opportunity to get to know many ANDSF women in the course of my involvement in #AfghanEvac initiatives. I am in awe of each of them, and I am so afraid

because I am anxious that time is running out for so many of them, day by day, hour by hour, and I am constantly heartbroken that there is not more that I can manage to do to help in many cases. These women are truly heroines and deserve so much more and better than this.

I am afraid we are failing them, we, as human beings, as Americans, as the international community. I am afraid that so few of us continue to care about the situation in Afghanistan as the news and the country move on, despite our intense complicity in the trajectory of events.

I am afraid each time I hear from one of the women I've been trying to help, because often her situation has further deteriorated; I am afraid each time I don't hear from someone who remains in such danger; and they are afraid—and so much braver and still hopeful and determined.

I cannot speak for them, nor can I do justice to their voices and stories, but many remain in too much danger to speak freely for the time being. At the very least, I can try, and many of us are trying, as volunteers and individuals, to keep advocating and raising awareness.

Please, read these words from one of the military ladies in Afghanistan whom I know, who asked me to share this statement anonymously.

She is incredible. She is brave and accomplished and courageous. I can't tell you her name. I don't know where she is. I don't know whether I'll be able to help her or any of the women who have reached out to me. I can't and don't make any promises other than that I'll try.

I can try, but I will fail in many cases. We must act. We cannot as a nation or as individuals change the past, nor erase our mistakes, nor atone for our failings, but the United States can and must keep our promises to our allies and continue supporting at-risk Afghans.

The #AfghanEvac coalition has released this open letter, organized by @shawnjvandiver, calling for action, which I and many others have signed on to. Please read and sign and support these critical measures. Time is running out. Winter has come in Kabul. afghanevac.org/openletter/

Please, if you are able this holiday season, consider contributing to incredible initiatives like the @HumanFirstAfg Coalition, a team that I am in awe of, that has managed to achieve so much that is great and good amidst such chaos and heartbreak. humanfirstcoalition.org/make-a-donation

And please, don't forget about the emergency in Afghanistan. Don't forget about our allies, like these ANDSF women. If you are able to advocate or amplify (or donate/fundraise), any and every effort may help.