In the spirit of iVillage Cares, what advice would you have for American women who really want to be a force for change and progress--both in the world, and locally? How can we make the biggest difference on a grassroots level?

SECRETARY RICE: Women can have an enormous impact. Locally, it can be something as important as just reaching out to a young girl who may need a mentor. Or volunteering with a girls' sports team, which has the ability to help girls define themselves and meet women from different walks of life.

Some friends and I started an after-school and summer academy out in East Palo Alto. It's a poorer part of the Bay area not too far from where I live. The program wasn't just for girls, but it did offer after-school activities: math, science, instrumental music and the arts. Women can get together and start activities for kids in their area. I think really the big changes happen very often at the local level.

The most important people in my life were my parents, but the next most important people to me were the people in my community: my teachers, as well as the people who lived in my community and made sure I got home safely at night. These people were very much a part of my life and still are. Some of them I still stay in touch with: That's what communities can mean.

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