Lead-HER-Ship

Archive for July, 2011

Think that the U.S. would rank in the top three countries for the well-being of mothers and their children?

Think again.  Norway is the top country. Afghanistan is the worst. And the U.S. sits a dismal 31^st. Why? According to the report issued by  Save the Children, most other developed countries outperform us in maternal mortality, child mortality, preschool enrollment, maternal leave, and the political status of women.

How abysmal that the wealthiest nation in the world can ignore this reality. What would it take for us to get closer to Norway?

In this Scandinavian country:

•  all  births are attended by skilled help,. (Not so in the U.S.)
• 1 in 7600 women die in childbirth  (In the U.S. 1 in 2100 women die!)
• women average 18 years of schooling,
• life expectancy is 83  (In the U.S., the average is 81 but even lower in poorer states)
• fewer than 200 mothers lose a young child each year.

We have a great deal of work to do!

Until August 14, you can discover a world few have seen but millions have benefited from:  the health care and educational efforts of Catholic Sisters in America.

This historical account is a traveling exhibit that opened last year in DC. I was captured by the courage and innovation of these women who helped shape our nation’s social and cultural landscape during many dramatic moments of U.S.history. You will see and hear accounts that stretch from the Civil War , the Gold Rush, the San Francisco earthquake, the Influenza  Epidemic, the Civil Rights movement and Hurricane Katrina.

It is an honest account that also doesn’t whitewash some of the less savory aspects of Catholic sisters in America. And because of its honesty, you walk away with a deep appreciation for the commitment to social justice and activism that hallmarks current religious communities.

The Exhibit will be at Mount St.Mary’s College through August 14. For details, check here

Eglantyne Jebb, born in 1876 to a wealthy British family, could have just rested on her palatial estate and been known as a fiercely intelligent, strikingly beautiful woman. But her heart became troubled when she learned of the millions of starving children across war-torn Europe. Determined to make a difference, she started Save the Children and threw herself into a fight for their survival. Dramatic in her appeal, she was even arrested but nothing deterred her from raising a lot of money AND saving hundreds of children.  Soon Save the Children went global.

She turned her attention to children’s rights and drafted a landmark document that was adopted by the League of Nations and used in the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite dying at far too early an age in 1928, her legacy continues today.

I became connected with Save the Children years ago when I learned of their practice to build a community, a skill base, infrastructure, and schools–not just to dole out money to a child. I have sponsored children in the Appalachia, in India, in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

This year, I saw what a difference yet another woman can make for children.

I had the wonderful privilege of meeting former Xerox CEO and Chairwoman Anne Mulcahy, when we both spoke at Simmons Leadership Conference.  Like Eglantyne, Anne could have retired to well-deserved rest and comfort. However, her heart said that there was so much to be done for the children of the world. Today, Anne is the chairwoman for Save the Children. Watch this small video to see just a tiny project in Guatemala.

AT a time when there is so much need yet greed in the world, I’m comforted knowing my monies are in an organization that is recognized for its fiscal responsibility and that fully 90% of all funds go into program services.

What is the place that troubles your heart?