I am so grateful and thankful for all the ways women are creating real differences in our world! There are so many of you making immense contributions in your communities. THANK YOU!
Here are some of my favorite (more visible) game changers. Who do you know making a difference? Share some of your favorites on my Facebook page. The more we applaud each other, the greater our reach and the larger our impact. Let’s grow this list and spread the word about women who are making a difference!
1. Marianne Williamson for stepping into the political arena running for U.S. Congress in California. Such a big, bold move for one of our leaders in women spirituality. I loved her authenticity and willingness to bring a wider, more inclusive perspective to politics. Even though she did not win the congressional seat, Marianne did open the political conversation as she challenged both parties to higher integrity and gave voice to many people who have checked out of the political system–believing it will not change. Marianne not only demanded change from politicians, she also challenged each of us to take seriously our role in making the United States how we want it rather than complain from the side-lines.
2. Cynthia Kersey for starting Unstoppable, which ensures that African youth have the ability to improve their lives and those in their community by building schools. Nelson Mandela said, “No country can truly develop unless its citizens are educated.” That is what Cynthia’s Unstoppable Foundation does!
3. Reshma Saujani for launching Girls Who Code, the nation’s pre-eminent nonprofit dedicated to closing the tech gender gap. Reshma has gained support of Google, Facebook and other high tech companies and is fostering an attitude of can do in an area where girls are often told they can’t. And I love her because she has set this bold, big goal to teach one million high school students (females) and to code.
4. Dina Habib Powel for setting large, amazing goals (AND MEETING THEM) to increase the number of women entrepreneurs by educating 10,000 women. Now she has the goal of reaching 100,000 female owned businesses with $600 million in capital through the world bank. Dina is an example of setting big goals and then believing strongly enough in them that they come true!
5. Farhana Huq for creating a non-profit called C.E.O. Women (Creating Economic Opportunities for Women), whic teaches low-income immigrant women to become savvy entrepreneurs. In four years she has helped 450 women start or expand their businesses and become strong. The impact of helping these women move from being dependent to standing on their feet not only affects these women individually but also their families and their communities.
6. Jules Piere for growing her company, The Grommet, to a world class status — providing a marketing and distribution platform for innovative and creative product ideas that might not otherwise have a way to reach their market. Her concept of Citizen Commerce takes back the power to choose from multi-national chains into the hands of consumers like you and I. It is a brilliant concept that helps newly founded companies actually have a shot at success where they might otherwise be an unknown unable to break through.
7. Robin Ely for making substantive changes at Harvard by pushing to include women protagonists in their case studies and being spokeswoman for women’s empowerment. Changing the way world leaders view women starts where these leaders are being formed and Robin is making changes that will stick.
8. Vivian Glyck for forming Just Like My Child (and Girl Power), which empower girls in Africa to stand up against violence and abuse, stay in school and marry later than the average of 11 years old. The message of empowerment is strong and working! (We could use this program in our schools here in the United States, too.) Her project empowers both the volunteers who help and those they are helping. I plan to take my three girls to Africa to help this cause next summer.
These are just a few of the amazing women in the world today, making a difference. Send me info on others you know of so we can spread the word, support fellow sisters who are working hard on our behalf and inspire each other!
