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 across
“The future of the planet
Understanding that change will not occur
the presidential seal embedded in
without their courage, commitment and
the carpet of the Oval Office, have
depends on women.”
activism continues to inspire the organized
been the subject of prime-time television
effort that now affords mothers in 49 states
dramas such as Commander in Chief, star-
~ Kofi Annan,
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
and 23 countries a say in corporate and
ring Gina Davis, and 24, featuring Cherry
public policies that affect the world our
Jones as President Allison Taylor. Although
children will inherit. “We felt in our hearts
life didn’t imitate art on January 20, half of the world’s popu-
that women must unite to mobilize their political strength,
lation inherited a new dream when the two-year campaign
in order to ensure the health, education and safety of every
trail to the White House gave New York Senator Hillary
child, not just a privileged few,” remarks Raderstorf. “In a
Clinton an opportunity to showcase her political talents.
global economy, all children’s well-being is connected.”
“Hillary left us with an indelible image, a knowing that
Members point out that children around the world breathe
anything is possible and a green light to put our courage
the same air, eat fish from the same ocean and live as neigh-
and commitment to use in leading the way on issues that we
bors. “It’s time,” she says, “to measure the true impact of our
passionately believe in,” says Joellen Raderstorf, one of four
political and personal choices by how they affect children
Mothers Acting Up founders.
everywhere.”
Raderstorf and three friends gathered
around her kitchen table in 2002 to
Acting Now for Future Generations
share their passion for making a differ-
Jean Shinoda Bolen, a psychiatrist and
ence in the lives of the world’s children.
author of The Millionth Circle and Ur-
“We had just returned from Washington,
gent Message from Mother: Gather the
D.C., where our state senator informed
Women, Save the World, shares Rader-
us that, due to a tax cut, we would not
storf’s concern about the need for women
Joellen Raderstorf
have funding for our community pro-
to speak up and take action. “The
grams,” says Raderstorf.
dormant power of women together is the
The four mothers realized they
Jean Shinoda Bolen untapped resource needed by humanity
needed to gather women like themselves to advocate on be-
and the planet,” emphasizes the Jungian
half of children. “It was clear to us,” explains Raderstorf, “that
analyst. “Every woman’s voice is needed, particularly those
we needed many more voices to speak out for the well-being
interested in keeping the premises safe for all, as well as
of our global family.” Within weeks Mothers Acting Up, an
those concerned for children’s needs and development.”
Internet-based, nonprofit organization, was born.
Bolen’s experience affirms that the qualifications to
20
Greater Cincinnati Edition
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