Around the world, we are seeing so many wonderful examples of women discovering their essential roles in creating a better future in the business, political, markeplace, community and home fronts. As these 21st Century pioneers forge new paths, there are lessons for all of us to learn and apply to our own spans of influence and opportunity.
Harriet Harman, Minister of State, Constitutional Affairs in the UK is certainly one good example. When asked what her most meaningful achievement had been she shared, "Being part of the government which introduced the National childcare strategy and the New Deal for lone parents." The resulting childcare partnership created 4,100 more after-school club places for local children and supporting its new deal personal advisors who helped make 28,000 children better off by helping their mothers move off benefits into work.
She continues to work with other leaders to empower and support women ---- I read an inspiring story of her recent travels associated with an exchange programme in an article entitled, Good Women from Africa " that has lessons for us all. The article included a beautiful picture of Monica Mbega, Government Minister in Tanzania with Harriet Harman when they met with mothers at a school. Just looking at the picture said much about the whole group of women, together each, mothers and leaders, in their own rights working together for common good.
Reportedly, there is already a good understanding in the public mind that African women are important to development in Africa --- they care for the children in the family, their work at home is critical for the health of all family members and women are key to preventing the spread of HIV infection. What is less understood is the crucial role of women in Africa play in the political development of Africa, in building democracy. "They are central to the new breed of politicians who offer Africa the opportunity for a deeply rooted, uncorrupted democracy."
African women MPs (members of Parliament) say they have to do their politics differently from the men. They explain they are "not seen as traditional figures of authority in the way that men are." They have to gain the people's confidence by being genuinely interested in their needs and demonstrating that they can count on their MP to help them. They work to build coalitions and political support.
Monica Mbega has sixteen children. Three are hers and thirteen are the orphans of her two elder brothers and sister, who died of Aids. This reality is reportedly not uncommon there. In fact, many young women before they have their own children have to reach inside themselves to find the courage and capacity to become the mothers to their sibling's children who have been orphaned.
Women in many African countries are described as a "breath of fresh air and real hope for democracy." Read the entire article.
As I read the article and looked into the beautiful faces in the picture of these leaders and mothers and reflected on their story, I realized that these amazing qualities that are demonstrated in their inspiring story -----the qualities of courage, ingenuity, capacity to love and calm and heal, to teach and nurture and to build trust and reinvent --- are the qualities that we need everywhere in the world today---qualities that lie within us too. It also came to me that by their example, the good women of Africa are calling upon us to join them, developing our capacity to change the landscape of our workplaces, marketplaces, communities where we live --- in businesses, politics, the public sector, government and in our homes.
Let's work together to encourage the development of the essential qualities we hold within us. It is our turn. We have to teach the world in ways that our inherent in us, as women. We have to learn from the leadership lessons of women setting the example for us and in then work apply what we learn to our own lives and work, discovering our own innovative ways of being a leader of substance and influence.
"...one has to have a calling to become a true teacher. And above all things, one needs a bounty of courage. The calling informs the teacher that her knowledge is needed in new uncharted areas, and courage makes the teacher dare the journey."
--- Maya Angelou, Even the Stars Look Lonesome
What lessons do you see in the story of these women pioneering new
levels of leadership? What other qualities spoke to you about your
opportunity for leadership in your own right?
Debbe Kennedy
The first step for Women in this LEAD Leadership Forum is to acknowledge Risk. Females are taught to be risk averse.To be made aware of Fear. An acronym ..(False Expectations Appearing Real)Ingrid
"Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold" Unknown
Posted by: Wall St. Women,Inc | July 22, 2005 at 12:14 PM
Dear Ingrid,
I liked your insight! You are so right. I will write about this topic. Your message gave me "flashbacks" from my own career. I will right about this topic.
Also Maureen Simon post, "Are Women Adverse to Risk?" on June 14. It is in the June Archives.
Thanks for your contributions.
Debbe
Posted by: debbe kennedy | July 24, 2005 at 08:36 PM