Jimmy Briggs is telling a story about a Congolese woman he is interviewing.

The woman is describing how she was raped twice in one day.

In the interview, the woman explains that her brother, husband and children were present when she was first attacked in the morning by the Congolese government army.

When they finished, the army left the house.

Later that afternoon, non-government soldiers arrived. They are more brutal, and this time, the woman’s husband runs away.

The woman’s brother tried to hide on the rooftop. The militia shot him. The group of men (five in all) proceeds to rape the woman inside her house. Her children call for help.

The militia men stop the attack and leave. The woman follows them out. Then, one by one, they shoot each of her children in the back of the head. They rape her once more.

They leave.

I heard this story while at the Congo/Women opening reception, where the room is filled with black and white photos of Congolese men, women and children.

There are huge color photo displays detailing life and violence in the Congo.

It’s beautiful. Yet, it is also tremendously tragic.

The room shudders with a very still quiet. Mr. Briggs tells the crowd that he wants us to remember this woman’s story. Do not be afraid to remember it. Be brave enough to keep it in your mind.

He wants us to remember that we have the power to change the world if we remember to tell each other’s stories.

Sometimes, the only power you have is simply telling someone else’s story.