Shock and awe; building a movement for real change

Issue 130 — June 9, 2020

On the day of George Floyd’s funeral, let me just say it. I’m shocked that anyone is shocked about the blatantly obvious systemic racism and discrimination experienced by African Americans. The data has been in front of our noses since — forever. Even if one has never met a Black person, I don’t get how anyone can be oblivious to the rampant injustice unless he or she never consumes news, goes to the movies, or walks about a city. If you read no further, please read this straightforward overview of Black life in America by Julene Allen, CEO of Women of Color in the Workplace. She clearly documents that we are NOT living in a post-racial world.

The SumGloria FeldtJune 9, 2020Comment

Parallel Pandemics, Convergent Solutions

Issue 129 — June 1, 2020

We are in a profoundly disruptive time. A time when just a week ago, I could see many opportunities to reshape a better world post-pandemic. That’s until another pandemic, a pandemic of racism was laid so bare that layered on top of COVID it feels like a leaden blanket we’ll never be able to throw off.

As New York Times contributing editor Roxane Gay says, “Eventually, doctors will find a coronavirus vaccine, but black people will continue to wait, despite the futility of hope, for a cure for racism.”

Yet however difficult the task, we must seek a cure to stop the kind of violence that took the life of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and so many others.

The SumGloria FeldtJune 1, 2020Gender Parity, Black Lives Matter, Covid-19, Leadership, Power ToolsComment

The Sum: Mother’s Day in a Pandemic

Issue 128 — May 10, 2020

The phones are ringing, the texts are buzzing, social media notifications are pinging, and the Zooms and Zoom Rooms are being scheduled throughout the day to connect with family members so we can wish each other Happy Mother’s Day (almost) in person.

Inspirational Role Models, The SumGloria FeldtMay 10, 2020Mother's Day, Motherhood, Women leadership, Take The LeadComment

What’s the matter with Dr. Deborah Birx? 5 Reasons for her epic #Leadershipfail

Issue 127—April 27, 2020

If you’re watching the Mrs. America series starring Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly, who mobilized the successful opposition to the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, you might wonder why in the world would a woman oppose equal rights for her own gender?

The SumGloria FeldtApril 27, 2020Leadership, Women Leaders, Take The Lead, Gloria Feldt, Covid-19Comment

What My Grandmother Molly’s Cherry Wine Says About Humanity During COVID-19

Issue 125 — April 6, 2020

Making a grocery store run, I spotted a lone bottle of cherry wine on the shelf. Memories of my paternal grandmother Molly or Malle came flooding in.

I can see her in her small kitchen that smelled of garlic in Temple TX, cooking all day for her bustling household that usually included Granddaddy Isak or Isaac, one or more of their four sons living at home, and on the weekends their daughter Mayme home from her job in Houston, plus on Sundays my parents and maternal grandmother and sometimes other relatives.

How COVID-19 Elevates Anxiety and Opens Possibility for Radical Change

Issue 125 — April 6, 2020

How are you feeling today?

Early in the social distancing, shelter-in-placing, self-quarantining pandemic life, were you enjoying having more time with the family and binge watching your fave series? But now the stress is starting to wear on you?

The SumGloria FeldtApril 6, 2020The Sum, Take The Lead, Women Equality, Gender Parity, Coronavirus, Covid-19Comment

Pandemic or Not, March is Women’s History Month — Here are Women You Probably Never Heard of Who Made Lifesaving Medical Advances

Issue 124 — March 23, 2020

Like just about everyone else, I’ve been consumed with thinking about, worrying about, learning about, and changing my lifestyle because of the COVID-19 pandemic this past few weeks. I’m fortunate to be near a walking path where social distancing remains possible and if I smile at them first, other walkers will smile back at me.

The SumGloria FeldtMarch 23, 2020Take The Lead, Women In Medicine, Women LeadershipComment

How can we help you? 6 Coronavirus survival tips guaranteed to lift your spirits

My daughter brought me a roll of toilet paper wrapped beautifully in purple tissue. We shared a knowing laugh. I wanted to hug her but we elbow bumped.

Even Disneyland is closed for heaven’s sake, so though restaurants in my neighborhood are still packed, we didn’t go out for dinner.

#IWD2020: mystery, history, and 3 ways to use your gift of the present to advance gender equality

Issue 122 — March 9, 2020

The quote has been attributed to many people. But since March is Women’s History Month and I’m writing on March 8, International Women’s Day , I’m going with Eleanor Roosevelt: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift… that’s why they call it the present.”

The SumGloria FeldtMarch 9, 2020Gender Equality, Take The Lead, Gloria Feldt, Womens Leadership, International Womens DayComment

Welcome to the power packed month of February: First, Black History Month

Despite the drolly delivered good news that Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring, I entered February still mourning basketball great Kobe Bryant, who died along with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash on January 26. I can’t get this tragic loss of life, loss of potential, and loss of a history-making African American athlete off of my mind. I begin my Sum column this week with condolences to the families of all who perished.

It’s not the mountains that trip leaders up: it’s the pebbles on the path

Last week I wrote about tripping over a pebble while hiking and breaking my wrist. Since then, I’ve been thinking about how it’s never the mountains that trip you up. It’s the pebbles on the path. Things you can’t see coming even though they are right in front of you. Impediments that don’t catch your eye because they’re so small that you are unaware of them, or you’re vaguely aware and pay no attention.

The SumGloria FeldtJanuary 26, 2020Leadership, Success, Failure, Power UpComment

It’s 2020: New decade, old secrets from the trail of life.

Issue 118— January 20, 2020

It was a gorgeous Arizona Sunday, not yet two weeks into the new year and the new decade. The 2020s. I love that nice round number. I was lighthearted, with the sense of optimism I get at such a time, when it seems like the slate is clean and the future open to our intentions.

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Issue 125 — April 6, 2020

Issue 125 — April 6, 2020

Issue 124 — March 23, 2020

Issue 122 — March 9, 2020

Issue 118— January 20, 2020

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