Women in the LEAD

WOMEN in the LEAD: Meeting Together Across the World (SPECIAL WEBINAR)

There is so much for us to learn from one another around the world. Our lives take different routes. Our paths are charted down different roads. Our destinies still are woven into some universal truths that we share as WOMEN and as LEADERS in our unique spans of influence.

I continue to be touched by the mystery of how our stories are drawn to one another through technology. The Internet has allowed us to meet  in ways we never imagined would be possible --- to get a glimpse of our DIFFERENCES and SAMENESS all in one across the world --- to experience and connect as women in the distance, finding the common ground upon which we walk.

This beautiful woman in red, Naseem, is a wife, mother, a mid-wife, a musician, costume designer, teacher, speaks multiple languages, and is a member of the award-winning world band, DEBU.  She lives in Indonesia. She also is my  niece. Through Facebook, we reconnected across the distance. A small miracle for which we are most Grateful. A blessing.

Meeting Together Across the World...
Coming up very soon, there is another opportunity for us to meet through technology. We are commemorating International Women's Day 2011 Centenary Celebration 1911 - 2011 - 100 Years with an ONLINE global gathering with a focus on women's leadership. The Global Dialogue Center in partnership with Leader to Leader Institute  (formerly Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management) warmly invite you to join us as our guest for a very special WEBINAR on Wednesday, March 9, 2011...  See VIDEO INVITATION at this link for details: http://tinyurl.com/309VIDEOinvite
(allow a few seconds for the url to open).

 

WOMEN in the LEAD: Our Significant Roles in the Global Economy
with a very special Executive Guest:  Frances Hesselbein, founding president and CEO, Leader to Leader Institute. Among her many honors, Mrs. Hesselbein is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States of America; awarded by President Clinton to honor her pioneering efforts on behalf of women, diversity, and volunteerism.  Mrs. Hesselbein's Biography  Her newest book has just been released, My Life in Leadership: The Journey and Lessons Learned Along the Way (Jossey-Bass 2011).

Wednesday, MARCH 9, 2011 
at the Global Dialogue Center CONFERENCE Center 
1pm - 3pm ET (New York) 10am - 12:00 Noon PT (San Francisco)
Check Global Time wherever you are in the world 

Brochure to share (PDF): http://tinyurl.com/4mz6fbk
REGISTER DIRECTLY NOW: http://tinyurl.com/2a99638

So far, women are gathering from  over 20+ countries and 33+ states across the United States  to put their fingerprint on this special occasion. We hope you'll be with us too!

Warm regards,
Debbe 

Photo: Naseem by Debu Susaan

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead
Author, Putting Our Differences to Work

 

 

St. Valentine's Day: Symbol of Friendship and Affection

St. Valentine's Day has a story and a life behind it. Did you know? I can't believe it's been another year since I first shared this story, but it moved me. Changed how I see this day.

A dear friend, Bay Area Artist, Sally K. Green, introduced me to the story. It gave new meaning to February 14 and I wanted to share it with you. Regardless of your faith, it serves as a reminder to us all that few things in our lives have arrived without the sacrifices of others before us. May we add to its universal symbol of friendship and affection, a heart filled with gratitude.

in commemoration…

The Story of Saint Valentine
February 14th

Saint Valentine gave comfort and counsel to Christians who were in prison awaiting their execution during the rule of Emperor Claudian Caesar. In those days people were put to death for being followers of Christ.

In order to increase his army, Caesar forbid young men to marry, believing that single men made better soldiers than married men. But Saint Valentine refused to follow Caesar’s orders and urged young lovers to come to him in secret so that they could be married.  Eventually it was discovered and Saint Valentine was arrested and brought before Caesar. Caesar was so impressed with the young priest that he attempted to convert him away from Christianity to believe in the many Roman gods, but Valentine refuse, he held true to his faith and instead tried to convert Caesar to Christianity–Caesar was angry and condemned him to death.

While in prison waiting for his own execution, Valentine became friends with the jailer, Asterius, and his blind daughter. Asterius’  daughter was very kind to Valentine and brought him food and messages. They developed a friendship and toward the end of his imprisonment Valentine was able to convert both of them to Christianity. It is believed that Saint Valentine also performed a miracle by restoring the girl’s sight.

The night before his execution, Valentine wrote a farewell message to the girl and signed it “From Your Valentine,” a phrase that we use today. He was executed on February 14th, 273 AD.

On the list of Christian martyrs it reads,

             “At Rome, on the Flaminian Way,
             the heavenly birthday of the
             blessed martyr Valentine, a priest.
             After performing many miraculous
             cures and giving much wise counsel
             he was beaten and beheaded under
             Claudius Caesar.”

The valentine has become the universal symbol of friendship and affection shared on the anniversary of Valentine’s execution, St. Valentine’s Day.

Learn about other spiritual messengers and leaders with a lasting impression at Sally's online gallery.
She has a wonderful way of telling the little known stories behind her paintings and sculptures that give them new meaning.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead
Author, Putting Our Differences to Work