For All The Reasons You Gave: Thank You!
A New Year’s message –
Dear Friend,
I can’t stop reading your emails, messages and social media posts filled with passion, power and purpose in support of leadership parity. Our shared mission to ensure women reach equality in the workplace and have the resources they need to achieve their goals has truly never been more important.
“For my four little girls: Lily, Cienna, Camille and Skye.”
“I donated because Take The Lead supports programs for women that change our world for everyone.”
“To US! Because we are bad asses!”
“In Honor Of….My Sister, Niece, Daughter, Sarah, Rhea, Amy, Roommate…”
To the 262 community members who donated to meet the match in our #PowHERfulTogether crowdfunding campaign, thank you! To our presenting sponsor, Women Connect4Good and the 30 others who sponsored the quadruple match, thank you! To the dozens of you who volunteered your time to make phone calls and the dozens more who spread the word on social media, thank you! All of us at Take The Lead are incredibly grateful. But more importantly, the thousands of women who will benefit from our breakthrough 9 leadership power tools training, free Glassbreakers Take The Lead mentoring and monthly virtual happy hours and many other thought leadership materials and resources will be even more grateful.
Take The Lead Leadership Ambassador Laurie Battaglia said, “I donated because Take the Lead shows us how to use power for good; together we can change the world for the better. And especially for my nearly 14 and 11 year old granddaughters. #SisterCourage #IPledgeParity”
One-third of the campaign’s donors were men who gave because of the women in their lives or simply because they believe in the cause. As Tyler Grant said, “Great work, great mission, go women!” And even my grandsons dug into their savings and contributed! Can it get better than that?!
If you weren’t able to contribute but would like to support the cause, there is still time to give before the end of the year. To make a tax deductible contribution to ensure we reach more women in 2017, click here.
“Women’s right are human rights.”
“For the future of women leaders of America.”
And as Women Moving Millions (WMM) CEO Jacki Zehner put it, “2017 — it’s time #womensleadership.”
As a community, we are united by our shared commitment and vision for equality. And as individuals, we must each do our part to support this movement and to build a better world for our daughters, sisters nieces and friends.
In a few days, we welcome a new year, filled with new opportunities and high intentions — a year of critical importance for women. As I reflect on 2016 and celebrate the achievements of the Take The Lead community, I am more determined than ever and committed to this work.
I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year, and leave you with the words of Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for your passion. Thank you for your contributions. We are #PowHERfulTogether.
Let’s heed the words of Take The Lead Arizona Leadership Council Co-chair Mara Babin: “Here’s to making great gains in 2017!”
Warmly and Gratefully,
Gloria Feldt
Co-Founder and President, Take The Lead
PS. Though we met the match last week, we are still $47,000 short of where we want to be when we start the new year in order to deliver on our ambitious plans. So thank you again if you gave, and thank you if you can give now to help reach women’s leadership parity by #25not95!
PPS. In case you missed the inspiring video we made for the crowdfunding campaign, you can watch it below and be inspired again.
About the Author
Gloria Feldt, Co-Founder and President of Take The Lead, is the author of No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power. She teaches "Women, Power, and Leadership" at Arizona State University and was named to Vanity Fair's Top 200 women Legends, Leaders, and Trailblazers.