Women from across the globe now have the opportunity to freely express themselves in an open forum, thanks to the International Museum of Women (IMOW).

The museum, located in San Francisco, Calif., embraces the voices of women with its Imagining Ourselves (IO) project.

While the museum contains a published anthology of works, it recently broke ground with an online version of the Imagining Ourselves project, launched in honor of International Women's Day, which took place March 8, 2006.

The exhibit serves as a virtual community where 'thousands of young women around the world can use Imagining Ourselves as a platform to share their views and connect with a global community.' Changing themes every two months, it features works of art, photographs, essays and film done by women in their 20s and 30s from all walks of life.

Paula Goldman is founder and director of the IO project, which began at the IMOW shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks five years ago. In an online note to visitors, she claims the purpose of the project is 'about showcasing the vitality of our generation as a way of inspiring young women to action.'

IO is distinctive because of its unique focus on cultural change. Aside from each bi-monthly theme of IO, common themes among the women's stories emerge: global fellowship of women, unprecedented opportunity, bravery and change.

The current theme, running through the end of October, poses the question, 'What defines your generation'? Women from Somalia to Pakistan to Bosnia-Herzegovina accepted the challenge and answered with touching stories about strength and independence, searching for identity and living in exile.

The project has been so successful thus far that it will be extended one more year through September 2007 and 'will continue to explore different themes,' according to the Web site. Upcoming themes include War and Dialogue, Motherhood, and Image and Identity.

'War and Dialogue: Women's Perspectives' is the theme for November and December and calls on women to share 'your personal experiences, your thoughts on media stereotypes of certain religious and ethnic groups and your views on how violent conflict has affected your life.'

This topic will allow visitors to see the side of war through the eyes of women, a perspective that is often ignored by the media. The deadline to submit your work for 'War and Dialogue' is Oct. 1.

Young men will also have the opportunity to tackle the issue 'What Defines Your Generation'? in January and February 2007. The museum asks men to voice their opinions on topics such as fatherhood, relationships, culture and conflict and image and identity. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 1.

For those looking to further women's causes, IO offers an online 'Take Action' page, giving visitors a list of monthly resources for action, such as Amnesty International, Fight Trafficking and Combat HIV/AIDS, with links relevant to each specific theme.

To submit a piece for possible display in the exhibit, visit http://www.imaginingourselves.imow.org. Simply download an application form, and send your submission along with the application form to iosubmissions@imow.org. If submitting film, audio files or large artwork, send it to IMOW via courier mail. The address can be found on the Web site.