founded by a handful of mothers who yearned for the support Margaret
and friendship of others parenting outside the mainstream, Wheatley, author
gender balance might be unexpected. Yet, according to founder of Turning to One
Nancy Massotto, the nonprofit’s 120 chapters across the United Another, believes
States and Canada counts many supportive fathers as members. that when we begin
Massotto, who jokes that her “Type A” personality helped her to truly listen to each
master the mountains of work required to take HMN from an other and talk about
Nancy Massotto
Essex County, New Jersey network to a nonprofit organization
Margaret Wheatley
things that matter to
crisscrossing North America, remarks, “I don’t easily shy away us, the world begins
from challenges; I am a holistic mom, who birthed my children at home, breast- to change. “There is no power greater
fed and raised them on organic food. Thus, this work is almost a calling.” than a community discovering what it
Massotto views her background in research organizations, along with her cares about,” asserts Wheatley, whose
doctorate in political science and teaching experience at several universities, as experience confirms that “Change only
preparation for organizing HMN. An educator who has always worked on behalf comes when everyday individuals gather
of women, Massotto observes that, even though all women are not the same, the in small groups, notice what they care
majority generally cultivates a long-term perspective regarding about and then, take those first steps to
the impact of their choices. change the situation.”
She remarks, “I see selflessness, particularly by moth-
ers who give of themselves, without wanting anything in return
“Real listening is a
other than the satisfaction of doing something that has a posi-
tive impact.”
willingness to let the other
Connecting with others and building consensus, as well
person change you.”
Mary Evelyn Tucker
as practicing stewardship and service over self-interest, are
~ Alan Alda
behaviors common to women’s egalitarian approach to lead-
ership. These strengths are what Mary Evelyn Tucker believes make women ideal
In 2000, at the start of a weeklong
candidates for leading the way in community development and caring for the
conference to review progress made
environment.
since the Fourth World Conference
“Women have a deep spiritual sensibility, a humility
on Women, in Beijing in 1995, former
that allows them to sense that they are a part of nature and
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
not apart from it,” says Tucker, co-founder of the Forum on Religion and Ecology.
boldly declared, “The future of the
“This experiential connection creates
planet depends on women.” Another
the link between religion and ecology.” Activist stories featured in Renewal, a
grassroots group of women are among
documentary film that highlights several grassroots environmental initiatives led
those now taking the first steps on
by women, supports this. Tucker’s international, multi-religious project explores
the journey to a peaceful, prosperous
religious worldviews, texts and ethics in order to broaden understanding of
and sustainable future for all. They are
human-Earth relations.
organizing Sophia 2010, a women’s
Enlightened leaders agree that women’s strengths, among them relationship
world conference convening in Sofia,
building, story sharing and community organizing, are urgently needed in
Bulgaria, in 2010.
today’s world.
The event will highlight for the
world successful approaches to achiev-
ing global goals of improving social
Organizations Actively
conditions, preserving nature and
celebrating universal spirituality. This
Redefining Leadership
groundbreaking international forum
is the brainchild of women confident
in the fact that a small group of
Green America – CoopAmerica.org
thoughtful people, looking to advance
Holistic Moms Network – HolisticMoms.org
social development, gender equal-
Jean Shinoda Bolen – JeanBolen.com
ity and wisdom can lead the way to
Linda Tarr-Whelan – Tarr-WhelanAssociates.com
change, through courage, commitment
Mothers Acting Up – MothersActingUp.org
and activism.
The Renewal Project – RenewalProject.net
Sophia 2010 – Sophia2010.org
Writer Linda Sechrist recently returned
Soroptimist International – SoroptimistInternational.org
from the 53rd session of The Commis-
Dr. Linda Stillman – Dr-Stillman.com/page4.html
sion on the Status of Women, the
Margaret Wheatley – MargaretWheatley.com
principal global policy-making body of
Forum on Religion and Ecology – ReligionAndEcology.org
the United Nations Economic and Social
Council.
22
Greater Cincinnati Edition
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