When Women Lead

I recently had a friend give me thanks for my influence on her journey. I was not receiving the gratitude, deflecting at every turn. Finally, she said, “Let me put it this way, ‘You are my Matt (Russell).’”

That worked. That I could understand. That I could receive. When I reflected back to her that it doesn’t get better than that, she said, “Yes it does. You are also my Yan (Digilov).”
Then my mind went to how amazing it would be for me to also be her Bill Kerley, her Randall Sylvester, her Paul Lodholz, and her Alan Patton. The idea that I could be all of the greatest mentors and teachers I’ve had and then (s#)it REALLY hit me, why am I not recognizing publicly and privately all of the FEMALE mentors, teachers, and leaders who not only taught me, but saved me?! They listened me into being, encouraged me to find and connect with my soul, my heart, with my who and my why, and then for heaven’s sake, they helped me find the breadcrumbs to the how.

So here IT is.

My heart pours out the beginning of the thank you letter I will spend the rest of my life writing, in my intentions, in my ‘me’ness, through my doing AND my being. I see you. I thank you.

I hope to be someone’s;

Diana Heritage
Holly Ebel
Gail Williford
Micki Fine
Betty Adam
Bren Hardt
Sylvia Sundqvist
Kelly Penrod
Anita Long
Judy Wilbratte
Judy Leatherwood Smith
Cathy Riddick
Caroline Graham
Paula D’Arcy
Sister Lois Dideon
Sister Ann Goggin
Pinkie Wright
Jana Mullins
Tamika Evans
Mary Ann Marucci
Elizabeth Slator
Tracie Jae
Jacquelyne Boe
Janet Gonzalez
Casey Fleming
Cameron Dezen Hammon
Christa Forster
Lindsay Espejel
Mitra Mostofi
Lisa Gale
Dardan Oxley
Nellie Grose
Tracey Southwick
Heather Goodwin
Sonya Foteh Garcia
Andrea Soto-Innes
Lydia Hance

(Probably others who I am not conscious of in this moment, because for some reason, I am still learning from and whose lessons I am still coming to terms with, including but not limited to all of my female relatives. I see you and I honor your loving influence. My soul knows.)

post #294