Women in the LEAD

The Power of One Action

I was both touched and deeply moved when I read Debbe Kennedy’s recent blog—“Women: A Tribute to Rosa Parks.” Debbe’s writings helped me to recall the immense strength and power that we each hold and how each of us, when led by conviction, can make a huge contribution to the world. Rosa Parks-- on the surface –a quiet, subtle women, had a powerful belief and conviction. She knew that she could not live with herself if she did not make a point about the great inequities that her people were experiencing.

Throughout history, great leaders have stood their ground on issues, that in retrospect, have changed the ways of the world. Look back to the beginning of another very important movement….women’s rights. On the very special weekend of July, 19th, 1848, the first women's rights convention was held in the United States at Seneca Falls, New York.

The idea for the convention arose spontaneously out of a discussion among Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and three other women over tea. During the weekend many of the participants signed a "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" The declaration outlined the main issues and goals for the emerging women's movement. Thereafter, women's rights meetings were held on a regular basis. Looking back in history we can identify many rights and equities that women now experience on a daily bases that are rooted in bravery and courage of the great actions of these pioneering women.

Over the course of history we can find many examples of social heroes who have experienced and witnessed an inequity or stood by a cause that they truly believed. These change agents have often raised awareness and have played a major role in creating universal change.

What issues touch your heart or fill you with a burning conviction?

What simple action are you willing to now take?

We each have the potential to play a major role in the direction that the world is now moving. We each have the ability to make a difference…like the differences that Rosa Parks, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton made.

You may be surprised at how large the ripple of your action would actually be. As Rosa Parks contemplated not moving from her bus seat-- I wonder if she had any idea of  the impact that  her actions would have on the world in the years to follow?

Maureen Simon

A New Year Approaches - We Can Do Things Diferently

“The way you activate the seeds of your creation is by making choices about the results you want to create.  When you make a choice, you mobilize vast human energies and resources which otherwise go untapped.  All too often people fail to focus their choices upon results and therefore their choices are ineffective.  If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.”

Robert Fritz

As we approach the new year, it is a good time to review all that is possible for the year to come.  As humans, we have a tendency to make choices based on past safe experiences or territories of the known.  Maybe this year you could create choices that will “mobilize (your) vast human energies and resources which go untapped”.

In what area of your life have you been playing small? 

What would it look like if you created new choices for 2006 that put to use your vast energies and resources that you are now not using?

The upcoming new year offers an opportunity for us to take inventory of what is possible and to allow ourselves to do things differently – in a way that we never even thought of before.

Maureen Simon