The best mentorships contain learnings for both the mentor and the mentee. This week, I want to share the journey I took with Catalina Escobar, the founder of Colombia’s Juanfe Foundation, which offers an innovative model of care, education, and job training that is disrupting a cycle of violence in families and communities resulting in unwanted teen pregnancies and intergenerational poverty.
Read MoreNot one woman on the list.
Earlier this month, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev announced the organizing committee for COP29, which will be held there in November. The list included 28 appointees, including Azeri government ministers of energy, health, finance and economy, among others. What the list did not include: women.
Read MoreWhat is COP and why should we pay attention?
COP28 begins soon – the 28th Climate Change Conference of its kind. Women should be at the table for every decision and commitment made during COP, but we know that will likely not be the case. That’s why I’d like to share a powerful event coming up that brings women’s voices to the forefront of these conversations.
Read More“Today’s dark hour must be a catalyst for change.”
This week, among the many strong statements made by global organizations about the current situation, I was particularly inspired by the one published by The Elders, an organization of global leaders founded in 2007 by Nelson Mandela who are "working for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet."
Read MoreHere I am at 80.... Still movement building!
In developing Project Dandelion, we've spent a lot of time thinking about what ingredients are necessary for a successful social movement in 2023. Even though the ways we organize have changed (social media, email and Zoom make it a whole lot easier to connect), the truth is that what is needed for a successful social movement to be launched, sustained and successful in outcomes is essentially the same as when I started organizing in college.
Read MoreSeeding a Movement for Climate Justice
Over the last few weeks, Project Dandelion, a women-led global movement for climate justice, has been very active. Energized by the connections we’ve made during our learning journey to better understand how to elevate and amplify the important work we’ve observed, we are more convinced than ever that leading for a just transition from the current crisis is the challenge — and yes, the opportunity — for all women to show up, speak out, and come together, connected by a vision of the future that is in our hands.
Read MoreWomen Deliver Delivers!
I confess to being somewhat addicted to women’s conferences. I'm always energized by the female and feminist energy. That’s partly why I initiated, in partnership with TED, the annual TEDWomen conference… and it’s partly why I am inspired to share with you this week a report from Women Deliver – one of, if not the largest women’s conference in the world — convened for the first time on the African continent.
Read MoreNew UN report says the planet is likely to pass 1.5°C for the first time. What does that mean?
Scientists last week predicted that our already warming world will likely pass a key temperature threshold for the first time over the next five years. I’m not a climate scientist but I know enough to know this is not good…for any of us! It's time for all of us to make this climate emergency more personal in our lives and work.
Read More50 Women in 50 States Fighting for Climate Justice
“Love Your Mother lifts up the stories of women who are poets, physicians, climate scientists, students, farmers, writers, documentary filmmakers, and more,” writes Mallory. “Their work lights the way for conversation and collective action in our homes and in the world. It's time we follow their lead.”
Read MoreClimate Justice — Women's Opportunity to Save the Planet and Ourselves
We’re on the cusp of a clean energy revolution and getting us there with just and equitable solutions is up to women.
Read MoreWomen Leading on Climate
This week, I’m writing about a favorite convening that is not called a conference but a festival — the WOW Festival! WOW for “Women of the World.” I was invited to participate in a panel on the climate crisis and to share the still in-progress plans for a global campaign for climate justice led by women — named Project Dandelion.
Read MoreA Love Letter to Newsletters
On this Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing my love for many of the women I admire who have committed to writing the posts that help keep me and so many others informed and inspired — my ‘newsletter sisters.' These are newsletters I always open. They offer news you might otherwise miss, insights you'll appreciate, along with valued perspectives and often much needed inspiration.
Read MoreDonate to Turkey and Syria's Earthquake Response
As situation worsens with aftershocks, the freezing conditions, and every day that passes, the needs are enormous. Connected Women Leaders faculty members Michelle Nunn, the president/CEO of CARE, and Gulseren Onanç, founder of the Equality, Justice Women Platform in Turkey, are working with their organizations to deliver aid, supplies and support to those affected by the earthquake. If you can, please help and please share this post with friends and colleagues.
Read MoreInternational Women’s Voices: A Fresh Perspective on Gender Equality
This week I want to share with you a recent newsletter from SES, an organization led by my friend and Connected Women Leaders (CWL) colleague, Gülseren Onanç in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s important for all of us who are engaged in the work towards greater social justice and gender equality to know what other committed women and male allies are leading around the world.
Read MoreWhy Climate Justice Is My #1 Priority — and Should Be Yours, Too
I had the pleasure of talking this past week with Amanda Hirsch on her Mighty Forces Substack about the climate justice advocacy work that Connected Women Leaders, a cohort of women leaders from around the globe that I co-founded in 2017 with Ronda Carnegie and Hafsat Abiola. The mission of Amanda’s Mighty Forces website is to inspire and support more women to tell their stories. Because, she says, when we share our stories — the power we unleash is a mighty force. Hear hear!
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