It is hard to overestimate the power of one person's words and actions. We have the potential to influence individuals, communities, nations, and even generations. Three such people who are doing this are the focus of a new documentary from Unify Films called A Powerful Noise.

According to statistics, women and girls make up 70% of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty around the world. Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours, yet earn only 10% of the income. Women produce half the world's food, yet only own one percent of its land. And when it comes to illiteracy and lack of quality education, women again have the majority. A Powerful Noise tells the stories of three ladies working to change the harsh realities confronting millions of women every day across the world.

Hanh is an HIV-positive widow in Vietnam. After losing her husband and daughter to AIDS, she overcame great personal grief to create Immortal Flower, a self-help group dedicated to providing HIV/AIDS sufferers with support, counseling, and health care. The group also works to raise awareness about the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the country. Hanh managed to turn the sadness and hopelessness of her own situation into a passion for helping others in a similar situation. Her bravery and dedication are an inspiration.

Nada is a refugee of the Bosnian War and a working mother of three children. Seeking an end to the ethnic hostilities that have torn apart her country, her women's organization Maja Kravica provides agricultural programs to war widows and families seeking fair trade markets for their crops and livestock. Civil war and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia-Herzegovina have left the nation's infrastructure and economy broken, with almost half of its citizens unemployed. Reconciliation is imperative to rebuilding efforts, which is why Nada's work is so crucial. Her work helps women bridge ethnic divides and work towards peace and progress.

Then there is Mali, the third-poorest nation in the world. Malian children often travel in search of jobs to support their families. Many migrate from rural areas to the capital city of Bamako, where little-enforced labor laws are overlooked and discriminatory practices and exploitation are rampant. In addition, thousands of "street kids" roam the urban center, accountable to no one and vulnerable to much. Madame Urbain works tirelessly in the slums of Bamako through her organization APAF to provide young women with education, valuable skills, and safe working environments. Her intervention comes at a critical point in the lives of the women she helps; to instill empowerment at their age means a greater chance of success as adults.

In collaboration with International Women's Day this year, National CineMedia's Fathom Events and leading humanitarian organization CARE will present a live, one-night big screen event on Thursday, March 5^th. A screening of A Powerful Noise at over 450 movie theaters will be followed by a live town hall discussion from New York City, giving audiences a glimpse into the remarkable efforts of these three women and a chance to see what's being done to address women's issues around the world today.

Going beyond just informative story-telling, both the documentary and the live event are designed to inspire people everywhere to stand up for the neglected, give strength to the powerless, and be a voice to the voiceless.