Take The Lead is sharing your Power To Change Stories here, in our weekly newsletter, and in an upcoming ebook collection. Each week we highlight true, personal stories from around the world of how you are using your power to activate change. Together we can support each other in the mission to reach gender and racial parity in leadership across all sectors. Submit your stories here.
By Deborah D. Douglas. The trick about the story of the Civil Rights Movement is we think that it was so long ago—at a time we can barely even imagine. But a lot of us on this earth now, we’re a part of that movement or have family members who were a part of it. And frankly, some our families may have opposed the movement, and we can grapple with that because it’s relevant right now.
By Monique Reed PhD RN. My purpose is to advocate for social justice and equity in nursing education and historically oppressed populations. I recognize that my educational privilege affords me the power to develop a cadre of nurses trained in equity and anti-racism to improve health outcomes in marginalized populations.
By Michelle Valiukenas. Knowing that I had to do something, I quit my job and dedicated myself to The Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation, launched in September 2018. If I could not parent Colette in the way I had expected, I could parent her this way.
By Wrenetha Julion. As a Black professor and Department Chairperson in a predominantly white College of Nursing, I am inspired and proud to support students and faculty of color who, persevere and flourish despite questions about their intelligence and competence.
Read MoreBy Cimajie Best. Here I was being driven by my wound of American racism, while that had never even crossed this child’s mind. He was leading in the spirit of paying it forward, of giving back. He doesn’t know it but he shifted my entire perspective that day.
Read MoreBy Dr. Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman. Community leaders work with a playbook that allows them to describe key components of trials and encourages sharing personal experiences that inform healthcare decisions.
Read MoreBy Bora Laci. We live in a world where you must look a certain way to be identified as an immigrant and that is not true. We all have our own story, and we should all be able to share it.
Read MoreBy Amy Merrill. When the pandemic hit, our team recognized a silver lining: ‘safe at home’ orders created opportunities for medical professionals to realize their potential as agents of change, step up and begin serving patients remotely, with pills shipped directly to homes.
Read MoreBy Elissa Yancey. I’ve learned about caregiving, life and death. Today “grab happy” is more than a catchphrase to me; it is a life and leadership tool I share every chance I get because it allows me to reconnect with my Mom, to smile and to reflect on the value of her healing advice.
Read MoreBy Georgia Dawkins. My journey is about purpose. I wrote “Everybody Knows: The Power of Being in Position” so anyone who reads it can see the vulnerability of my walk.
Read MoreBy Stephanie Knezz. Using vulnerability to forge human connection is the most powerful tool I have found as an educator to make impactful change in students’ lives, and it is worth every minute of class time and every nervous heart flutter.
Read MoreBy Luna Ranjit. After one particular incident where being childless overshadowed all my accomplishments, I started writing to move through my anger and sadness. But for almost four years, I did not have the courage to share it widely. Earlier this year, conversation with some friends in Kathmandu convinced me to release it into the world, and write a Nepali version as well.
Read MoreBy Janice Phillips. Little did I know at that time that the words, “You have potential” would ignite the confidence in me to change my situation. For once, I saw a glimmer of hope through the eyes of my beloved social worker who believed in me.
Read MoreBy Huma Yasin. It’s not just me – it’s so many of us operating in a collective. In spite of the odds, collectively, we march, protest, rally, write letters, demand policy changes, and work towards a more just world. Hope is a four-letter word but it's also the air we breathe to stay afloat.
Read MoreBy Joli Robinson. 2020 has taught me how to honor my feelings, redefine strength, and share my vulnerabilities knowing that in doing so I am bettering myself and helping support my tribe.
Read MoreBy Mahika Arora. Through my initiatives and involvement that focuses on positivity and natural environment, I wish to leave a tremendous mark on the world. My aim is to see a world where people are positive and are never afraid to help the ones who are not.
Read MoreBy Genevieve Piturro. I have found that while it does take one idea and maybe one person to start something big, it takes a whole lot more people to start a movement and make a difference in thousands of lives.
Read MoreBy Tina Green. I have been able to tap into my creativity once again, something I rarely had time for before. I have had the time to think about what I truly want and the legacy I want to leave.
Read MoreBy Sonja Wasden. My desire was to break stigmas and start conversations around mental health. As part of my advocacy, I’ve been donating copies of my story to libraries in all 50 states. Libraries are the heart of the communities, so I decided that they were a great place to share my message of hope.
Read MoreBy Sweta Chawla. By owning the beauty wanting to express through me, I no longer felt like I stood out, but more like I was standing up. I felt connected to my deeper roots which gave me the courage to transcend my role as teacher, facilitator and coach to guiding other reluctant leaders into their own unique natural leadership.
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