As I write this, I am preparing to welcome the TEDWomen community to our virtual convening that begins today. This week-long gathering promises new experiences for the TEDWomen community which are described later in this posting. But first…
I’m also thrilled to share the big news that starting in 2023, TEDWomen will be convening in our new home — The Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia!
Read MoreI 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!
Read MoreWith a Supreme Court that is leaning conservative and moving many policy decisions back to the states, more important decisions are happening at the state level — most notably for women, the recent reversal of Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs decision means that states now have the power to legislate a woman's right to choose. Governors will be our last line of defense and the frontline of advocacy in protecting reproductive rights, voting rights, and perhaps other rights, in many states.
Read More
Indigenous women are the custodians of the land and holders of traditional knowledge. By listening to Indigenous voices, and Indigenous women in particular, we can move from fear to action. But we must listen and we must act.
Read MoreI was part of a contingent of women leaders who went to NYC last week with a proposal to shift the narrative of fear to one of hope and radical optimism. Our proposal is inspired by the audacious possibility, put forward by indigenous leader Jade Begay, who challenged us during our Connected Women Leaders forum in Bellagio last April to imagine "that our best times may be ahead of us!"
Read More
Many of you have inquired about TEDWomen and the plans for this year. I’m happy to get those inquiries and grateful for the global community of women and men who have attended before. And I'm excited to invite you to join the community again, or register for your first TEDWomen experience.
Read MoreNot only are we a majority of the population. We are also the majority of voters. This November, women must speak out, support women and men running for office who are fighting for women's equality, and most importantly, vote.
Read More
Voters in Kansas turned out to strike down a state constitution amendment that would have allowed legislators to severely restrict abortion access in the state. (Photo: Kansas.com via Twitter)
The Kansas vote reminds us that there is hope in action. Only 94 days stand between us and the November midterm elections. This week, I share a guide from "The Uprising" highlighting races to watch and candidates to support in the midterms.
Read MoreAs we wait for more hearings to convene in September, I hope you'll also give some thought to the incredible service the women witnesses have shown our country over the past six weeks. They showed us what strong, brave leadership looks like.
Read MoreNelson Mandela founded The Elders in 2007 to bring independent global leaders together to continue the work for peace, justice and human rights. Over the past year, The Elders have been exploring the "State of Hope" through a series of digital talks. I want to share some of The Elders Chair Mary Robinson’s speech with you because I found it inspiring and a helpful reminder that we must look inward to be the force for hope and change.
Read MoreThis week, I’m sharing some of the inspiring stories of women around the world who are stepping up to challenge inequality at its roots by putting themselves forward as leaders in government. In many ways, these women are redefining what power can look like and I, like so many others, am excited about the differences they can and will make as leaders.
Read MoreThis week, I want to share two success stories because I think we all could use a little good news. You may remember a few weeks ago I shared with you some details about the current dire situation for Afghani women and girls under Taliban rule. Hope is alive in the hearts of Dr. Sakena Yaccobi and Shabana Basij-Rasikh, two women activists who are working to educate girls, in spite of the enormous challenges that both face.
Read MoreRemember when one of the buzzwords at the start of the Covid pandemic was ‘reset’? I used it a lot as I tried to frame the dramatic changes we were all experiencing in the ways we lived and worked, especially during lockdowns and travel bans. Sadly, for way too many of our friends, families and colleagues, this time of isolation has been far from a positive reset. In fact, we are seeing evidence every day that mental and emotional struggles have increased, and families and businesses have had to respond.
Read MoreIn this episode of the Ending Domestic Abuse podcast, I talk with Dr. Ludy Green and share my story as a producer, CEO, abuse survivor, and advocate for women's rights and gender equality. We discuss how some of the lessons I learned and shared in my book, Becoming a Dangerous Woman, can help all women not only achieve our own goals, but also serve as role models and pillars of support for other women in our communities and across the world.
Read More
Getting arrested at #FireDrillFridays with my granddaughter on Dec. 20, 2019 inside the Hart Senate Office Building.
As difficult as it is not to let fear, disappointment, and despair overcome you, we can’t sit on the sidelines. To be dangerous means to be willing to speak up, to stand up, and to get angry when events call for it. And taking action is a form of hope.
Read MoreDeborah Calmeyer launched ROAR AFRICA 16 years ago with a vision to curate retreats that harness the power of nature to facilitate deeply spiritual journeys for participants. Over the years, she has gained keen insight into how experiences in the wild can positively impact the human psyche and inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Read MoreLast week, I had the pleasure of joining the founder of the S.W.A.T. Institute, Crystal Andrus Morissette, for an interview. We talked about a topic that is very dear to my heart — Becoming a Dangerous Woman.
Read MoreIn these deeply troubled times, now, more than ever, we are all in need of an antidote to despair. The lived experiences of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama serve as an amazing example of the power of JOY in the face of adversity, and the JOY of their friendship is a sustaining force for all of us.
Please consider joining me and more than 300 million others around the world on Thursday, June 2nd, for a unique event that will lift your spirits and restore you faith in the healing power of JOY.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Office of Archbishop Desmond Tutu invite you to participate in a unique global experience — joining 300 million people in a worldwide screening of the documentary film Mission: JOY - Finding Happiness in Troubled Times.
I call on the global community of women, and especially now American women—mothers, wives, sisters, colleagues—to lead whatever actions are necessary to put reasonable, compassionate leaders into the positions where the decisions about gun safety are made. This means campaigning against the political leaders who kowtow to the companies and vocal minority, and putting forward reasonable, compassionate leaders in their place. Prayers will not make this happen.
Read More
My new global interview series goes in-depth with awe-inspiring women who have changed the world. Recent interviews include Gloria Steinem, Christiane Amanpour and Thandie Newton. More to come!
A slew of new studies have found that the vast majority of the human population — 80 to 89% — want governments to do more about the climate crisis.
The answer surprised me — and I have a feeling it might surprise you, too.