Issues of male-dominated interpretation, problematic scripture, women as recognized religious leaders, and stereotypes of religious women invade the majority of world religions.  This is the message of the "Change Through Collaboration" panel that will be the concluding panel discussion of the 2009 WISE Conference.  The questions being asked right now are lively, involved, adamantly open-minded: it is a refreshing experience to be sitting here now.  The panel features a Muslim moderator, a Jewish woman, a Christian reverend, and a Hindu academic discussing how different faiths can find common ground to be able to work together, as a more powerful force, on behalf of women everywhere.

"This conference is extremely unique in that I don't feel alone anymore," said the moderator, Mehnaz Mona-Afridi of the United States.  The panelists strongly asserted that women and minorities can work together for positive change, and for the equality and peaceful principles shared by all the religions represented here today.