The Exceptional Strength of Women
-- The CEO of a $2 billion dollar investment fund uses her clout to foster the idea that it’s better to invest in businesses that treat the planet and its people better.
-- A soldier in Afghanistan teaches classes on domestic violence prevention for soldiers soon to return to the USA, helps refugees, and volunteers for extra humanitarian missions.
These two women, and numerous others I interviewed, challenged my preconceptions about women in traditionally male roles. I thought a woman who became a financial CEO, a soldier, an NYPD officer or an Admiral would have to be hard-edged and even tougher than the men just to keep up. What I found out when I interviewed them for my most recent book, How Strong Women Pray, was that these women didn’t stop being women at all. I was deeply inspired by the way they brought their traditionally female outlook with them, drew on incredible reserves of inner strength, and transformed their roles into something new.
Amy Domini, named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, is credited with creating the $30 billion dollar industry of social investment funds. Through her influence, more corporations and investors focus on their impact on the environment and safe treatment of works.
Yet, Amy doesn’t reflect the tough-as-nails, intimidating demeanor I had seen in so many other women in the financial industry. She wore untailored, soft clothes: loose black pants and a shirt with no jacket. She talked about the frustration of getting her sons to finish college. She was warm and humane. She didn’t become just like other CEOs in the investment industry, she changed the nature of the role for many of the men and women who followed her.
I also interviewed Karen Kim, a social worker in the Army reserves who was sent to Afghanistan. “I cried for days when I learned I was going to Afghanistan,” she told me. “I didn’t want to go. I wondered how am I going to do this? Why me? I was afraid.”
Karen found the courage to serve her country: diving for cover when missiles came into camp; helping refugees; and using her skills as a social worker to help the other soldiers get through their own challenges such as a “Dear John” letter from home. She brought all of her compassion as a woman and a social worker, making the Army stronger.
You can read more about Amy and Karen, as well as Maya Angelou, Edie Falco, Kathie Lee Gifford, Barbara Bush, Susan Taylor and many others in How Strong Women Pray by Bonnie St. John. Also woven between the chapters is Bonnie’s amazing story of losing her leg at age five, becoming an international ski racer, and growing spiritually as she heals from childhood abuse and learns to find love and family. Free excerpt from the book and personal prayer guide available at www.howstrongwomenpray.com
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