Women in Leadership

Today, I was a guest at the Northland's News Center Women in Leadership Luncheon in Duluth. I was humbled to be a part of this event honoring 10 extraordinary women. Michelle Lee introduced each honoree with a brief story and background. The variety of these women's accomplishments is astounding, but they have one thing in common: a heart for leadership. An advocate for Down Syndrome awareness, a reverend committed to social justice, a college president, a stroke survivor-turned-author... I found myself wondering what the women of my generation - including my fellow titleholders of the Miss America Organization - will achieve throughout the coming decades.

with honoree Sister Virginia Schwartz (3rd from Left) and friends

Lance Secretan wrote, "Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration—of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine."

Thank you to
-Barb Beeksma, Jodi Stauber, Shari Swenson, Kathleen Nelson, Judith Arvold, Reverend Kathy Nelson, April Wiita, Linda Bonney, Cleo Hutton, and Sister Virginia Schwartz... for demonstrating true leadership.
-Peggy Kott and Northland's News Center... for allowing me to be a part of this special occasion, and for taking the initiative to honor these extraordinary women.