Role Models

[NaTasha Shastan Bertrand]

Who are our Women's Leadership role models? Who inspires you? Why?

[NaTasha Shastan Bertrand]

Here is a TED talk by gifted author Isabel Allende. I think an important skill for any leader to have is storytelling. This is how we share our visions, our passions, and inspire others to join us. The skill of storytelling is a valuable leadership skill, and Isabel Allende demonstrates it beautifully, here.

She is an artist, in that she has changed how many people see the world and think about it. She has converted a lot of young women to feminism, women who thought it was dead or passed it's time have listened to her and become passionate about the cause. Isabel Allende is a leader through her storytelling and her passionate heart.

The ability to speak to the minds and hearts of a wide and diverse selection of individuals, and enflame their passions and bring them together to move forward is what great leaders do. I think Isabel Allende is a great leader.




Do you agree?

Who do you think is a great leader?
NSB

[Nina S]

Beautiful, NSB and Melissa...
I admire both of whom you've selected.
My personal faves include Terry Tempest Williams for consistently pushing her own boundaries in service to her love, and for courageously committing herself to finding new forms and living her spiritual truth. And Jeannette Armstrong, an indigenous educator from BC who's running a school to preserve her indigenous traditions. And so many more...I admire women who pursue their purposes with deep passion and perseverance, and who unabashedly stand by their own truths, regardless of the pressures and conditioning to conform.

I also so deeply admire many of the young women I've been meeting lately, who are fierce and deeply authentic in the way they show up, and have so much less baggage than I ever did!

[NaTasha Shastan Bertrand]

Nina, the lack of overwhelming baggage amazes me, too. Acts as proof for me that we are improving :^).

There are so many great leadership role models, from ancient times to those just beginning to emerge, those that are known on a global scale and those known only in their local communities, those who had a great idea and forged ahead, those who stood up and said "No." and ended something harmful, and those who really just seem to know how to live well. I can't pick favourites, what I do is I realize those who have been helpful for me at various times in my life, and I seek those who are doing what I would like to do.

How many leadership role models' stories and messages can we come up with, here?

[Melissa Matulich]

Working for the Global Oneness Project has introduced me to dozens of unique and inspiring people. As a young female Rangimarie Turuki's simple message of embracing one's self resonated with me. Social pressures are constantly trying to conform the image of being female, yet Rangimarie preaches to respect one's differences. Although Rangimarie is not my "role model", her simple message is something I would like other women to hear...once we learn to accept ourselves, our leadership potential can be reached.

The Right to Be Me

Elder, healer and leader in the Maori community Rangimarie Turuki Rose Peri tells her story and shows us the true meaning of self-acceptance.

[NaTasha Shastan Bertrand]

Wow, thanks Melissa Matulich.

I had not heard of Rangimarie Tutuki before. She does have a powerful message, and I find that it deeply resonates for me, as well. The Right to be who I am, as I am, and to feel good about myself was something I struggled with for years. Self-acceptance really is the only path to self-confidence, isn't it?

"once we learn to accept ourselves, our leadership potential can be reached." I wholeheartedly agree. Well put.

Thank-you for this,
NSB

[Melissa Matulich]

Hi Natasha -

You are so welcome. I'm so happy I could contribute something to the conversation and that it actually touched somebody. I think that the issues of self confidence, body image, and self acceptance are personal, individualized and extremely limiting when it comes to living our lives - especially for women. Rangimarie's message challenges these limitations and encourages everyone to embrace their uniqueness...something I think we all struggle with on a day to day basis.

Thanks for commenting and I look forward to future conversations!

Melissa

[Nina S]

Wow, I had not heard of Rangimarie either, and am so thankful to learn about her.
Here's an amazing woman, Shailja Patel, who we've just invited to present a piece at Bioneers, whose fiery courage, clarity and grace inspires me...feels like she says so much of what's in my heart, and soooo beautifully.

I'm also inspired by the extraordinary writing of Terry Tempest Williams, whose book Finding Beauty in a Broken World is blowing me away. She leaps from mosaic to her naturalist learnings about prairie dogs to genocide in Ruanda with a grace and heart and spirit that I find breathtaking.
Oh, and here's a quote sheet I made up recently, of favorite quotes from Audre Lord, another mentor/inspiration to me.
This is a great conversation, thanks for starting it, Natasha!

[Nina S]

Hey, Melissa and Natasha, this is a great discussion, thanks for starting it, Natasha!
I did not know of Rangimarie, and am enthused to learn about her.

I'm currently very excited about Shailja Patel, a Kenyan poet who's coming to speak at Bioneers, thanks to Kenny discovering her at the Tallberg Forum, in Sweden, last month. Here's her web site, and a video.

And I continue to be wildly inspired by Terry Tempest Williams, whose book, Finding Beauty in a Broken World, continues her tradition of weaving together a tapestry of improbably-connected issues and learning experiences that surfaces a wholeness, a holistic approach to life that I find more compelling than most any other author.

Also, I"m currently loving Audre Lorde, and am attaching some favorite quotes, here.

And you?