Power Of One Woman

As many of us are feeling uncertainty as the latest news flashes, I feel it is important to focus. Focus on what is important to us, taking the time to be, to give gratitude.

I have had the incredible experience of speaking to over 60 women working for the planet from many backgrounds including organic clothing designers, organic gardeners and farmers, scientists, authors, speakers, artists, and educators. I have written these stories in the book, Power of One Woman. When I first had the idea for Power of One Woman, I wondered if hearing other women’s stories would stimulate other women into action for the planet.

The stories I have heard have lit a fire under me! Women are courageous, powerful, tenacious, creative, entrepreneurial and graceful. As I speak to inspirational women I feel motivated every day to take a step forward. Sarah Shanley Hope, mother of two is moving lightening speed with The Solutions Project creating 100% clean energy in the United States. I feel so excited about solar, wind and water energy I see the time when are all off the grid! Lynne Cherry, author of 30 amazing children’s books is producing and directing films of children’s astonishing work for the planet in Young Voices for the Planet. Women, if you are looking for inspiration, go to the Young Voices for the Planet website. Three young girls in Lexington, Massachusetts convinced their town council to put solar panels on all town buildings. The girls’ confidence increased, and they swayed their school officials to put solar panels on their school!

Carolyn Finney is devoted to healing and encouraging people of all races and backgrounds to spend time in nature. Stacy Malkan with U.S Right to Know and Robyn O’Brien author of The Unhealthy Truth are speaking for our right to know the truth of what is in our food. Florence Williams is traveling the globe sharing the knowledge and research: nature heals and is vital to our health in her book, The Nature Fix!  Anne and Stephanie Reynolds, mother and daughter team travel tirelessly to and from Haiti creating Fair Trade chocolate and vanilla products and Bev Missing in South Africa creating Fair Trade beautiful handmade personal care products together paying fair wages to over 1000 local people. When you hear stories of injustice, read stories of women and Fair Trade and better yet, purchase Fair Trade!

Purchasing clothes from companies such as Synergy Organic Clothing founded by Kate Fisher provides fair wages to women in Nepal. Purchasing organic socks from companies such Little River Socks Mill co-founded by Gina Locklear provides fair wages to United States’ workers.

Karen Washington speaks to the justice and integrity of having clean, healthy food and builds gardens in rural and urban spaces and on rooftops! Entrepreneur and creative thinker, Judith Winfrey connects rural and urban farmers with local farmers markets around the state of Georgia increasing the access to local organic foods.

Architect Rebecca Bryant is creating a movement in green building: speaking, designing, and consulting on how buildings and structures are meant to be like trees giving back to the earth and healing our minds and our bodies. Medical doctor Aly Cohen moved by the research and the healing occurring with healthy lifestyle choices is creating The Smart Human website and authoring the book providing us with the information to make informed healthy choices.

Need words of inspiration? Go to Laura Klein’s blogs at Organic Authority and Eco Salon! Read Marion Stoddard’s story of cleaning the Nashua River on Work of 1000 website. And one of my favorite: want to see children thriving and having no need for medication because they are moving out in nature read about The Green School in Bali founded by husband and wife team, Cynthia and John Hardy. Young, strong women are creating nature immersion programs such as Brinkley Hutchings with Nature Connect North Carolina and Nature Connect Alabama. Melinda Kramer with Women Earth Alliance and Wendolyn Bird of Tender Tracks are reminding us the importance of support, storytelling, dancing and singing. Wendolyn shares the story of a tribal member going to the elder and saying, “I am feeling distraught and a bit depressed,” and the tribal elder responded, “When did you stop dancing?” Movement is proven in numerous researches to aid our bodies and our minds. Movement out in nature amplifies this healing. Feeling a bit down, dance! Get out in the wind, the sun, and trees and forest bathe!! Trees are healers, and our bodies and minds feel it.

I shared with one woman I call on my warrior self when I see injustice! When I see bully movement, I know it is time for clarity, inspiration, and action. Sarah Shanley Hope said, “If we are in a ditch then let’s get out together!” Women let’s work together and move forward. As many of these remarkable women have expressed, “Find your passion, surround yourself with support, and take action!”