Women as Leaders
Pulling Together to Secure Harmony on Earth
by linda sechrist
Since 2005, the power of media images has been stretching our collective imagination
and changing the perception of what is possible for young girls and women who dream
of using their leadership skills to make our world a better place to live.
H
igh heels, lively stepping “The future of the planet
our political and personal choices by
across the presidential seal
how they affect children everywhere.”
depends on women.”
embedded in the carpet of the
Oval Office, have been the subject of

~ Kofi Annan, Acting Now for Future
prime-time television dramas such as
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Generations
Commander in Chief, starring Gina Da-
vis, and 24, featuring Cherry Jones as
Jean Shinoda Bolen,
The four mothers realized they needed
President Allison Taylor. Although life
a psychiatrist and
to gather women like themselves to
didn’t imitate art on January 20, half of
author of The Mil-
advocate on behalf of children. “It was
the world’s population inherited a new
lionth Circle and
clear to us,” explains Raderstorf, “that
dream when the two-year campaign
Urgent Message
we needed many more voices to speak
trail to the White House gave New York
from Mother: Gather
out for the well-being of our global fam-
Senator Hillary Clinton an opportunity
the Women, Save
ily.” Within weeks Mothers Acting Up,
to showcase her political talents.
Jean Shinoda Bolen the World, shares
an Internet-based, nonprofit organiza-
“Hillary left us with an indelible
Raderstorf’s concern
tion, was born.
image, a knowing that anything is pos-
about the need for
Understanding that change will not
sible and a green light to put our cour-
women to speak up and take action.
occur without their courage, commit-
age and commitment to use in leading
“The dormant power of women togeth-
ment and activism continues to inspire
the way on issues that we passionately
er is the untapped resource needed by
the organized effort that now affords
believe in,” says
humanity and the planet,” emphasizes
mothers in 49 states and 23 countries
Joellen Raderstorf,
the Jungian analyst. “Every woman’s
a say in corporate and public poli-
one of four Mothers
voice is needed, particularly those
cies that affect the world our children
Acting Up founders.
interested in keeping the premises safe
will inherit. “We felt in our hearts that
Raderstorf
for all, as well as those concerned for
women must unite to mobilize their
and three friends
children’s needs and development.”
political strength, in order to ensure
gathered around
Bolen’s experience affirms that the
the health, education and safety of
her kitchen table in
qualifications to forward change come
Joellen Raderstorf
every child, not just a privileged
2002 to share their
naturally to women. These include the
few,” remarks Raderstorf. “In a global
passion for making
ability to manage resources, resolve
economy, all children’s well-being is
a difference in the lives of the world’s
conflicts, work collaboratively, ask
connected.” Members point out that
children. “We had just returned from
questions, listen and learn from the
children around the world breathe the
Washington, D.C., where our state
experience of others, and act with com-
same air, eat fish from the same ocean
senator informed us that, due to a tax
passion for the benefit of all, including
and live as neighbors. “It’s time,” she
cut, we would not have funding for our
generations to come.
says, “to measure the true impact of
community programs,” says Raderstorf.
In the eyes of Linda Tarr-Whelan,

Westchester/Putnam Counties
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