Lady Politico Power Magazine - Linda Fisk

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Letter From The Editor

Linda Fisk Interview by Hazel Herrington

Breaking through the Politics of Power for Women

Running your own Race as a woman in....

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As the editor of this magazine, I am passionate about women in politics. I believe that women have a lot of power and can make a.....

HH: Who is Linda Fisk? Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Like most people, my life has been a series of lessons learned, and.....

More than half of the world’s population is female, but both in the United States of America, and worldwide, women hold less than one-fifth.....

Statistics show us that we are underrepresented in Politics, Business and in the C-Suite as a whole, but we are making inroads. We are seeing.....

Let’s Not Get Political About Politics: Why....

From time immemorial, the gender disparity in politics has been rife. The so-called ‘boys club’ culture has stunted the growth potential of.....

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Space

Foundation

Space. It’s historically talked about as the final frontier. I see it more as an innovation frontier, one of wide-open economic opportunities. The.....

Finding Your Voice as a Woman Leader

I strongly believe in “can be” and not “is” and....

The Theme for the International Women’s Day global campaign, “Breaking the Bias” resonates with me so deeply because simply.....

When we look at that great classmate who is amongst the top 3 always or a colleague who has a career graph as a high performer, the first.....

From

Vision to Reality, How Women Create...

When you envision a time when women experience no barriers to playing powerful roles in shaping the world, where is your focus?....

Celebrity Moments

Hazel Herrington with Brooke Shields; Hazel Herrington with Dr Phil; Hazel Herrington with Grammy Nominee and....

How you handle adversity will determine your destiny. ADVERSITY is the boogieman those who love you seek to protect you from, ADVERSITY.....

Clout Tech of

century

Aviation Must recognizes, Appreciate and Get Benefit of clout the technological gift of 21st century in AI, Block chain, Digital Currency, Cloud,....

The Redefinition of “Power” and The Rising of....

With all that’s transpired in our world, it is time to consciously rethink the definition of what “power” truly is at it’s core and when and how it.....

The world has never been fair and free from prejudice and bias across various political power structures. Life happens and as.....

Hazel Herrington has written a book that seeks to answer why women shoulder the burden of rising inequality and how they can break through.....

The complex nature of gender related issues....

With that being said the aim here is to strategize and set in motion the execution of the fundamental freedom/ liberation of women.....

“I’m not the woman president of Harvard, I’m the president of Harvard.” A simple distinction by Drew Gilpin Foust highlights the innate.....

This magazine is all about women in politics and we aim to inspire, empower, and inform our readers. We want to show women that they can be powerful and successful in any field, including politics.

In this issue, we are featuring profiles of inspiring women who have made a mark in politics. We are also featuring a powerful article by our cover girl Linda Fisk the founder of LeadHership Global. Linda has a lot of experience and wisdom to share, and I am sure our readers will find her article on “Maximizing women’s political power and leadership within” insightful.

We also have an article on how to get involved in politics, as well as tips for aspiring female politicians.

I hope that this issue will inspire our readers to pursue their political aspirations and become brand success stories. Our blueprint for success is simple: women must unite and use their power to make a difference.

Herrington Publications Worldwide (HPW) is the copyright owner for Lady Politico Power magazine. As such, HPW holds exclusive rights to the magazine and its content. Anyone who wishes to use the magazine, in whole or in part, must first obtain permission from HPW. Failure to do so may result in legal action. HPW is committed to protecting its copyright and takes any infringement seriously. If you have any questions about obtaining permission to use the magazine, please contact us at info@herringtonpublications.com. Thank you for your cooperation.

As the editor of this magazine, I am passionate about women in politics. I believe that women have a lot of power and can make a real difference in the world.

Linda Fisk Interview by Hazel Herrington

HH: Who is Linda Fisk? Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Like most people, my life has been a series of lessons learned, and opportunities to grow and develop, as a person and as a professional. In my career, because hiring managers took a chance on me, and my supervisors were able to show an abundance of grace, I was able to forge a career as an entrepreneurial and forwardthinking marketing executive on the cutting edge of brand marketing.

I received impactful advice and guidance along the way from supervisors and mentors that helped to shape and mold me, allowing me to accelerate my self-awareness, my growth and my development. And, of course, some of my most spectacular mistakes and failures were also some of my most important lessons - when my supervisors, peers and mentors often offered me a stunning level of grace and forgiveness.

I’m a firm believer that through exposure to exceptional people, we’re better able to connect to ourselves. So, I think it’s more important than ever to be purposeful and intentional about where we spend our time and put our efforts. I learned the transformative power of bringing inspiring leaders together to create opportunity, discover possibility and solve problems. No one grows as a leader alone. You need a supportive, confidential and uplifting community of people that are dedicated to

helping you along the way.

In LeadHERship Global, I now have the privilege of supporting and guiding ambitious, creative women to move in the direction of their purpose, their mission and their dreams with powerful connections, critical support, practical tools and valuable resources to show up, speak up and step up in their careers and personal lives.

HH: How do you create the balance between work and family life?

For me, creating balance is really about creating abundance. Abundance can mean different things to different people. For me, abundance means that I have enough, and that I am enough. It’s a belief that there is enough in this world for everyone to receive, and my life is in flow and balance – and abundance. With that kind of mindset, you let go of negative feelings like jealousy, envy or pity –or a sense of urgency that you don’t have enough time, or resources, or balance. You move from being a victim in your life to being a leader. You recognize the good things that are already present in your life and set your intention to experience more of what you want. I believe that there is an ebb and flow to life and an ever-moving, ever-changing pattern to the priorities of your life, and so balance to me is focusing on the abundance in my life.

Yes! I think more and more we’re seeing nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), multinational businesses and academic institutions flourish - and take the lead in adopting more of a global perspective, rather than just nationalistic viewpoint, and directly confront challenges facing our planet. And I see increasing global consensus in public opinion on major global challenges—poverty, the environment, anti-corruption, rule-oflaw, and peace – and this is forming a base of support for a global perspective on the urgent issues facing our planet and our nation. Multinational businesses, IT communications firms, international scientists, NGOs, and others that are used to cooperating across borders are beginning to take the stage and thrive in this hyper-globalized world where expertise, influence, and agility are highly-prized. I think this sets the stage for women to be more accepted into positions of prominence and power – even as President of the United States!

Theoretical physicist Dr. Shirly Jackson was the first black woman to receive a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1973. While working at Bell Laboratories, she conducted breakthrough scientific research with subatomic particles. Her research enabled others to invent the portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cells, fibre optic cables, and the technology behind caller ID and call waiting. Imagine all the important information you would have missed without this amazing woman!

DuPont researcher Stephanie Kwolek discovered what is now known as Kevlar. This fiber has found numerous applications in canoes, bridge cables and frying pans. Most importantly, it is credited with saving countless lives in the form of bullet-proof vests. This material, which is five times stronger than steel, is used in bicycle tyres, racing sails, body armour, frying pans, armored cars, musical instruments and building construction. Over 200 applications for kevlar now exist, thanks to its tensile strength-to-weight ratio

HH: What’s your favourite movie and why?

Right now, I’m researching historical female scientists, and these pioneers, trailblazers and innovators have created breakthroughs across the world’s most challenging topics that still impact our lives. Here are just a couple:

By the time Polish physicist Marie Curie was just 44 years old, she had laid out a theory of radioactivity (a term that she coined), techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes, and the discovery of two elements, polonium and radium. She was the first person in history to win two Nobel Prizes and the only person to win twice in multiple sciences!

I have lots of favorites, but two include Forrest Gump and Slingblade. I think most people have Forrest Gump in their top 10 movies, but not as many people have probably heard of Slingblade. While Slingblade has somewhat dark in subject matter at times, it is an intensely heartwarming film, thanks to the deep connection and unlikely friendship between Karl, who is a disabled man with a tragic past, and a young boy, Frank, who is vulnerable and struggling. The film’s emotional punch stems from the friendship between Karl and Frank, triggering an instant bond and protective instinct that gives Karl purpose, and gives Frank respite. As Karl says, “That Frank, he lives inside of his own heart. That’s an awful big place to live in. You take good care of that boy.”

HH: What’s your favourite quote?

HH: Is the United States ready for a female President?

HH: Name two female leaders you look up to and why?

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson

Lady Politico Power

Breaking through the Politics of Power for Women

Linda Fisk

More than half of the world’s population is female, but both in the United States of America, and worldwide, women hold less than one-fifth of political offices.

Why the scarcity of female candidates and elected officials? Are women indifferent, reluctant, apathetic, or tentative about political office? Is the political system impenetrable or unresponsive to women?

.Although formal barriers to political participation for women, and other under-represented minorities, are nearly nonexistent around the world, it’s clear that there are factors that limit women’s political participation worldwide. What are of the official and unofficial barriers, the formal and informal obstacles, and how do these barriers emerge that limit women’s political participation?

Laws, policies, and procedures that promote gender equality send positive messages to women and girls about their role and place in government and politics. And, the lack of such advocacy sends the opposite message – another subtle, invisible obstacles women face on their way to public office, which until recently, was practically if not formally, closed to them . And, governmental silence in the face of continuing injustice and inequality is a continuing problem for women, and the advancement of women in positions of political power.

We know that norms about women’s appropriate roles and leadership capabilities can shape both aspirations and opportunities. Importantly, in countries where women have historically been absent in public life, such barriers to entry may be much higher.In fact, a lack of women in high-powered positions may affect both men’s and women’s perceptions of women’s ability to govern and lead. Without effective role models, both men and women alike are likely to question or doubt the ability for women to govern and lead at the highest levels, which affects the ability for women to win elections.

Additionally, lack of financial resources can limit political participation given the costs associated with elections, and the compensation provided as a public servant. We need rules assuring that candidates and legislators are paid a family wage, so women can seek political office as a viable career choice, and be able to feed themselves and their families, whether or not they win.

In addition, elective office, even at entry level, can be round-the-clock work, with constant travel, evening events, and late-night sessions. If we genuinely want a more diverse set of elected officials, we need better job conditions for those in political power. We need better working hours, health care insurance, day care, and the ability to receive a salary during a campaign. Family-friendly work hours in political institutions needs to be built into a country’s political institutions to bring more women to political power.

How can we tear down remaining barriers to advance women’s participation in politics? Although the underrepresentation of women in political decision making remains unsolved, even in established democracies around the world, many countries have decided to undertake special measures to change the status quo, because gender-balanced representation is a necessary step towards eliminating the discrimination of women in the public and economic spheres of life.

First, there should be policies at all levels of government that make the world safe for women to fully participate, by protecting them against sexual harassment, threats, and other forms of violence. All women, as candidates or elected officials, should be protected by law and practice from discrimination, harassment, and violence of any kind.

In addition, it is a well-supported claim that poverty affects women in often-disproportionate ways and will not be eliminated without the full participation of women as agents in the process. In societies undergoing economic and political transition, benefits of including women in the government is immense.

At the level of policymaking on substantive issues, we need greater awareness of women’s role in caring for children, the elderly and the disabled. Generally, the less the government does to support those who cannot care for themselves, the more time women put into unpaid family care work. Women would have more time and energy to participate in politics with women-friendly policies that support public solutions to women’s caretaking burdens. And, once in office, women leaders are more likely to be responsive to public needs, and tend to cooperate across party lines, to protect the most vulnerable in society that they have typically cared for.

Representation is at the core of democracy. Legislators are responsible for both governing the nation as well as representing the interests of their constituents. The single the most effective remedy for women’s underrepresentation in politics internationally is political party quotas. Although quotas raise a lot of controversy, the exclusion of women from decision-making has created a rising demand for a more gender-balanced representation.

While informal rules and relationships tend to reinforce hierarchies of power, procedures that promote and guarantee women’s decision-making within political parties can increase their public voice. And, with a fair and equitable quota for women equally represented in both political parties, we would quickly have a much more diverse and inclusive government that truly represents the people. Internal party quota or gender targets and strategies, particularly when demanded by other groups, such as the government, women’s coalition groups across party lines and in civil society can have big impact.

Interestingly, in the United States, both of the two major parties already have internal gender quotas in another arena: 50% of delegates to each party’s conventions must be women. But, if party leaders could commit to an agreedupon quota for women representation, with stronger recruitment efforts, perhaps with the goals of securing half of all candidates being women, we would quickly resolve the gender

system worldwide.

disparity in our political

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

- Maria Robinson

Training and mentorship solutions for women candidates, to boost their self confidence and their media profile as well as their political skills, by more experienced female politicians could be an excellent way to achieve better balance. Training opportunities sponsored by the government could improve the equality perspective. And while we know that mentorship is one of the most powerful way to bring more women into political office (and counteract social biases), being a token “woman at the top” is often accompanied by work-overload that leaves little time for female political leaders to be nurturing the next generation of women in politics.

Financial solutions, such as incentives, could create significant impact for women’s involvement in government. For example, a government could reward parties which have a critical mass of women on at the top of the lists with extra funding, higher thresholds for external funding, or extra campaign time on public television. The incentive would be another way to persuade political parties to change their gendered selection practices.

One final lesson we could learn from peer countries would be the process of “gender analysis” in budgeting and policymaking. Many countries have made “gender responsive budgeting” a priority, to good effect both for women and these countries as a whole.

The composition of legislative bodies affect the quality of our laws and may influence the extent of their application. By ensuring that our

political processes and institutions reflect the needs of the society that they govern, we can be more responsive, more inclusive and more equitable.

In summary, there are interlinked structural, cultural and institutional barriers, that discourage fair and equitable representation in government. And, these barriers exist on several levels, starting with the personal decision to get involved, then secondly the party selection barrier and finally the election barrier, where voters’ decision affects women’s entry into public life. Because there are three main actors in the process: the pool of women who aspire to become potential candidates, the political party leaders, and the voters, a successful strategy would need to affect all of the existing barriers and should impact the three groups of actors.

In simple terms, women need to be persuaded that they are capable of holding public office, the party leaders have to be persuaded that women have the potential to be successful politicians and the voters need to be persuaded that women can be successful representatives. Changes among any of these groups are likely to reinforce each other but the primary decisionmakers are still party-leaders. The success of a truly comprehensive strategy would include helping more women overcome their personal lack of self-belief, providing more pressure on the level of political leadership in order to include adequate numbers of women, and persuading the voters to further change their perceptions of women politicians so that more women would actually get elected.

TThis is a critical conversation that needs further exploration. Without a comprehensive strategy, taking all the barriers women face into account, it will not be possible to achieve gender-balanced political representation in the world for a long time. And, this is an urgent issue. The composition of legislative bodies affect the quality of our laws and influence the adoption of those laws by the people.

By ensuring that our political processes and institutions reflect the needs of the whole society that they govern, we can be more responsive, more inclusive and more equitable.

Lady Politico Power

Running your own Race as a woman in Politics, Business and Career

Cathy Dimarchos

Statistics show us that we are underrepresented in Politics, Business and in the C-Suite as a whole, but we are making inroads. We are seeing more and more collaboration, acceptance and more importantly changes in legislations, and governance but we still need to step up and want to be seen, we need to want to hold the positions that we look at and say we need more women here.

As a female, who has worked in industries that are dominated by males, I have seen and experienced the imbalance, but I have also recognised my own contribution, or perhaps lack thereof at times.

So today I would like to share a little insight on who I am and who I have now chosen to be because this is what has enabled me to be seen and to show others how they can do it too.

Knowing how to recognise “what if” has only taken you to where you today.

When I first started in the finance industry, I was privileged to have three amazing women take me under their wings, they guided me and mentored me and had my best interests at heart.

They shared knowledge from their lived experiences, but one day they suggested I go home to change, you see, I was wearing trousers. Now whilst I could have accepted what they were saying (I was 17 at the time so did have experience on me), I also knew I had read the hand book and nothing said I could not wear trousers, but I also did not feel that wearing trousers would prevent me from doing my job. So, I shared this with them and then needed to have a discussion with the Branch Manager at the time because I decided to stay.

The ripple effect of that was that I gained insight on the Branch Manager and his beliefs of what women should wear, but it also allowed me to share my naïve but valid views. This led to these three amazing women in a few months’ time also wearing trousers and an office environment that was more open to differences.

Being Prepared to ask “what else?” rather than ask “what if?”

In my mid-twenties, I was privileged yet again to have a high-net-worth client reach out to me at a time of crisis (during the Global Financial Crisis). They were financially insolvent and this took a toll on their mental health. They were suicidal and they could not see a path forward.

In that moment, late at night with no support on my end due to how late at night it was, I had no idea what to do when they called my direct line at the office.

I kept them talking, I listened and knew that despite not knowing what to really do, I could make them feel safe and like they belonged. I asked my else “what else?”, what else could I do. This question was not just about that moment or that incident. It was about what else I could do to better serve my clients and those that I cross paths with.

At no point did it cross my thought to ask “what if?” I didn’t pick up, what if the ending was different, what if I couldn’t do anything?

Asking yourself “what else” is about future proofing and looking at what you can do to keep surging forward. It reshapes the way you think, the way that you behave and the most importantly it enables you to plan and create a roadmap for your future self.

In this instance, the client was safe until someone else arrived to be with them in person, but I also created my roadmap forward. I undertook a fouryear degree and studied to become a Counsellor and then practiced for 3 years so I had lived experiences to draw on as I engaged with people across the Globe I was better equipped to read situations, to be mindful and to be conscious of what else may be happening for those I am in the presence of.

Politics, Business, Life is all about people, so knowing how to be in their presence is vital. Knowing how to serve and better understand every situation is critical. Every decision we make is about the choices we make for ourselves as much as it is for those around us, so be intentional in how you step forward. Be mindful and consistent in asking

“what else can I do to contribute to the changes I want to see in the world!”.

It is through “doing” that we learn, so first we must be prepared to do so we can show others how it’s done and then it is up to us to elevate those around us.

As leaders, as women, and as champions of our destiny, we need to lead through actions and that includes running our own race. We do not need to wait for policy and legislative changes, we simply need to step up and simply BE the woman we have chosen to be!

Being the voice - Being the Woman

So often we wait for a path to be created so we can reference it. But that is what was, not where we are going. You can be the champion of your own destiny. William Johnsen said

“If it’s going to be its up to me” so I live by this.

Running your own race is about competing against the women you were yesterday and ensuring you did something differently today to get you to where you want to be. If you have done it well, it’s then up to you to shout out to another woman and to show them how.

Today I am known as the Alchemist in business globally who is an indefatigable philanthropist. I help to remove blind spots, strengthen financial positions and build high performing teams whilst showing others how they can do it too. I create businesses with a circular economy and pay things forward showing others the power in unlearning so they can relearn practices, behaviours and processes that serve them and humanity so we shape a better tomorrow.

As a Global Advisor, and the G100 Australian Chair for the Leadership Parity, a Tedx Speak, Author and multiple Global awards recipient I have recognised the impact I can make for others and for our future generation so I am committed to sharing knowledge and showing women across the globe what else is possible.

Women can be great collaborators, great leaders and great politicians when we are prepared to sponsor and promote others. These practices form the basis of my values and I take these practices into what I do daily.

Secrets men’s business does not work where we are going, so let’s leave that behind. This is a race to bring other women on the journey with us, so shout out from the roof top. Sharing it with our future generation. Be bold, be brave and most importantly be YOU!

Cathy Dimarchos

I believe in the power of paying things forward so if you want to run your own race, be conscious, be intentional and pay things forward.

Let’s Not Get Political About Politics:

Why Female Leadership Goes Back to Basics Why Female Leadership Goes Back to Basics Why Female Leadership Goes Back to Basics

From time immemorial, the gender disparity in politics has been rife.

The so-called ‘boys club’ culture has stunted the growth potential of women in politics, and things don’t look set to change any time soon.

But with the global narrative shifting to a gender gap decrease, why does this battle continue?

Aresearch study led by political scientist Christopher Berry, who teaches at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, alongside two of his colleagues, examined theoretical election models to tease out why there are not more women in elected office.

They found two major reasons for women’s underrepresentation. First is “election aversion,’’ or women just not wanting to run, perhaps because of differing political ambition or because women underestimate (and men overestimate) their qualifications. The second is voter bias against female candidates, which, they believe, still exists.

Data captured by UN Women suggests that women in executive government positions are far from equal. As of 1 September 2021, there are 26 women serving as Heads of State and/or Government in 24 countries. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years. Just 10 countries have a woman Head of State, and 13 countries have a woman Head of Government. Only 21 percent of government ministers were women, with only 14 countries having achieved 50 per cent or more women in cabinets.

With an annual increase of just 0.52 percentage points, gender parity in ministerial positions will not be achieved before 2077. The five most commonly held portfolios by women ministers are: Family/ children/youth/elderly/disabled; followed by Social affairs; Environment/natural resources/energy; Employment/labour/vocational training, and Women affairs/gender equality.

This data further suggests that only 25 percent of all national parliamentarians are women, up from 11 per cent in 1995. Only four countries have 50 per cent or more women in parliament in single or lower houses: Rwanda with 61 per cent, Cuba with 53 per cent, Bolivia with 53 per cent, and the United Arab Emirates with 50 per cent.

Globally, there are 27 States in which women account for less than 10 percent of parliamentarians in single or lower houses, including four single/lower chambers with no women at all. At the current rate of progress, gender parity in national legislative bodies will not be achieved before 2063.

According to the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) Chairman Madeline Albright, “women in power“ can be counted on to raise issues that others overlook, to support ideas that others oppose, and to seek an end to abuses that others accept.”

Recognising that women are crucial in politics, the NDI acknowledged that female leadership is more than box ticking and statistics enhancing. We know that women work more fairly across party lines, are highly responsive to constituent concerns, can secure sustainable peace agreements, can encourage societal confidence and prioritise health, education and citizen well-being. It would be fair to say if we are intending on addressing global pressures, such as gender violence and prejudice, and climate decline, men and women need to work solidly together to reach a democratic union. The discriminative behaviour in the world’s parliaments appear to be no exception.

We know that women globally continue to face basic human rights abuses. I am dumbfounded that we are living in parallel universes of such vast contrast.

On one hand, we are rallying our global network more than ever, on the other, genocide of such dreadful propositions continues. Our foresight and insight must change.

A study conducted by the World Economic Forum, aimed to explore why women will have to wait for gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, 2021. The report indicated that the slow progress seen in closing the Economic Participation and Opportunity gap is the result of two opposing trends. Encouragingly, the proportion of women among skilled professionals continues to increase, as does progress towards wage equality, albeit at a slower pace. However, the overall income disparities are still only part-way towards being bridged and there is a persistent lack of women in leadership positions, with women representing just 27% of all manager positions. If we are unable to streamline women into leadership roles, there is little confidence when it comes to championing women in Government positions. The problem remains at the coalface of culture: women in business need to be an international agenda item beyond our traditional scope.

As a global empowerment coach, I am identifying the importance in providing opportunities at all levels. If we continue our struggle to employ and inspire women to seek education, to explore professional expansion, and remove the gender defaults when faced with a crisis, such as a global pandemic, only then do we make sense to appoint political leaders. To be in a position of power is a privilege that we must not squander or minimise. As female changemakers, we have the ability to influence and sustain progressive possibilities, therefore our leadership is a responsibility that we must embrace.

Emerging data suggests that women continue to be underrepresented in all levels of decision-making globally, and gender balance in politics remains but a wistful dream.

So, what stops more women from running for political office?

As the G100 Australian chair equity and equality and a global women’s empowerment coach, it would be irresponsible of me to not actively participate in the conversation. We know that women’s equal participation and leadership in the public sector will actively contribute to the 2030 UN goals being met. But how is this actually going to be achieved?

We must be bold, brave and practise what we preach, and then some!

What do we know about the importance of having women leaders occupying seats in Government?

Space for All: The Innovation Frontier of Opportunities

Space. It’s historically talked about as the final frontier. I see it more as an innovation frontier, one of wide-open economic opportunities. The space economy has grown to $447B, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it’s set to reach $1 trillion before 2030. The best part? There is space for all to participate.

This is particularly welcome news for women and other underrepresented groups — all of whom can bring diverse skill sets, viewpoints, and experiences to the table. In return, fascinating, well-paying jobs, where women can make a profound impact, are abundant for those ready to accept the mission.

- Shelli Brunswick

Change-makers through Legislation

Women today can be change-makers in a number of ways. Developing legislative initiatives that further the space ecosystem, for example, will be crucial. Politics, lobbying, and legislation have a rich history of enabling space-related advances. In 1958, the National Defense Education Act was passed into law to help the U.S. compete with the Soviet Union on the science and technology front. The Commercial Space Amendment Act of 2004 made new provisions for crew members; this paved the way for companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin to launch private citizens into space. And there are so many more important pieces of policy that have shaped the modern space ecosystem and enabled it to thrive!

Along with enacting policy and legislation, the government plays a huge role in supporting entrepreneurship programs — programs that put new technologies to work, make new discoveries possible, and create enormous potential for commercialization. In my work with Space Foundation, for instance, we received a grant from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to launch our space commerce program that helps fuel entrepreneurs and new businesses. We’ve also worked with the Department of Defense (DoD) to inspire the next generation (K-12) to pursue space and entrepreneurial careers, as well as many other government agencies that have committed to funding entrepreneurship and a global space ecosystem. Whether as a member of congress, a diplomat, a researcher, staffer, or entrepreneur seeking a contract, space-related opportunities abound for women.

First Steps through Education and Role Models

So, how do we get there? It starts by showing children and students what’s possible through education. We should be encouraging children to pursue careers in politics as candidates and legislators, researchers and subject matter experts, staffers, and more. These roles are simply not as visible to students as jobs like doctor, lawyer, police officer, or accountant. As such, students need to understand how to create change through other professions that maybe don’t fit neatly into a box.

We also have to provide better examples of women in leadership than what they see on the news or hear over social media in today’s divisive climate. We rise above the noise by providing easy access to innovative curriculums, professional internships, and outside programming that demonstrates what a career could look like.

Global Access and Opportunity

Opportunities however are not reserved solely for the U.S. We’re creating access and opportunity to the global space ecosystem through political and international relations as well. I have traveled the world over the last few years to establish programs and relationships that will lead to the betterment of life on Earth. Most recently, I spoke at events in Qatar, UAE, and Egypt to highlight women leaders. I’ve been working with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in conjunction with Space Tourism Society (STS), to make it possible for students in Africa to pursue political science and international relations careers at the intersection of space. The faculty and students of Basic Medical and Applied Sciences, Lead City University, Ibadan have engaged in and will continue to engage with working visits — the first this spring at ICESCO headquarters in Morocco and the next to take place at Space Foundation’s Colorado Springs campus later in the year — to develop scientific, academic, professional, and institutional networking between all participants.

Let me tell you. This is the tip of the iceberg. There are so many options available to women to create change — whether at the local, state, federal, or global level.

Lifelong Learning through Mentorship

And as we all know, women learn from others — at every stage of life and their career. If there is not a model of a woman in a space-related job, how will people become aware that the space and spaceadjacent fields, like politics and government, are even options? Representation is very important. Role models are vital. Yet mentors who can advise women on both the hard and soft skills they will need in a particular role — as well as the best way to acquire those skills — are equally important. Mentors can also be indispensable at helping women network and in introducing them to others who can open doors (though it is up to each individual to walk through and showcase what makes her amazing).

Aligning with organizations, such as UNOOSA, SGAC, WomenTech Network, and Women Impacting Public Policy can also provide excellent resources. In addition to sharing key insights to the issues of today and tomorrow, they can serve as fertile ground for finding mentors and role models or sourcing professional opportunities.

A Place for Everyone in the Global Space Ecosystem

While there is so much more that I could say, the big takeaway is this: in the space ecosystem, there is a place for everyone. It’s not just about being an astronaut or working on launching rockets; the space ecosystem includes many different jobs that can be secured by women anywhere in the world, with whatever skill set they have to offer, including artists, trade workers, business administrators, and entrepreneurs.

Speaking from my own experience, entering the space ecosystem first in the U.S. Air Force, where I worked as a space acquisition officer, then as a congressional liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives, navigating space policy, budget, and appropriations, and now as Chief Operating Officer at Space Foundation, women can make extraordinary things happen for the good of the world. Imagine what we’ll be able to do as we enter this next chapter, where so many new avenues exist!

Lady Politico Power Finding Your Voice as a Woman Leader

The Theme for the International Women’s Day global campaign, “Breaking the Bias” resonates with me so deeply because simply put, we all deserve a seat at the table. It does not stop there, we also deserve the right for our voices to be respectfully heard in and out of the boardroom. The time is now for the world to recognize that gender equality is not an option but an absolute necessity. As a proud descendant of Sierra Leone, West Africa and founder of Impact Sierra Leone organization, I have insight on gender issues both in the United States and in West Africa. There seems to be a common factor between the two regions and that is there are far less opportunities for women as compared to men. The playing field has yet to be leveled because we see too often that a women’s skills or experiences is considered less important than her gender. As a global leader, I join in the fight against injustices, stereotypes, discrimination and inhumanity due to gender by promoting empowerment programs. By empowering other women to have a voice, we are impacting future generation of leaders who will ensure a world of inclusiveness and equality where all are valued.

On February 25, 2022, on the heels of celebrating International Women’s Month, President Joe Biden nominated Ketanji Jackson, the first black woman to the Supreme Court. Despite this historical milestone for his presidency and the world, there still remains a huge disparity around the world between the numbers of women in leadership positions compared to the number of male leaders. This disparity is even more discouraging when one takes into consideration that women make up half of the world’s population. According to the United Nations,

Due to the sacrifices of women who came before me, I found my voice as a leader and have been fortunate enough to be in a position of leadership and influence. To honor them, I am using my platform to improve the lives of women and children around me and in Sierra Leone through my organization Impact Sierra Leone. Through my organization, I have been able to provide communities in Sierra Leone with hope and inspiration by giving them a voice, meeting them where they are and working with them to improve their lives and outlook on life. Some of the initiatives include starting a school farm for students in the rural community of Foindu Village in Sierra Leone. Building on this initiative, we are in the process of implementing a school feeding program, renovating the school and starting a literacy program that will benefit the students and women of the community. We will also be launching a skills training program for young women and girls in the near future. None of these projects would be possible if it were not for the support from other women on my team who see the value in making sure that women have a voice and a seat at the table when decisions are made on the local, national and international levels.

For local governments around the world, especially in developing countries, women participation in public life on this level is low as well. These statistics show that there is much work to be done to make sure women leaders are nurtured around the world and placed in positions to influence policy and public life.

The chains of gender bias must be broken in every facet in life from the medical field, political field, business field, and career fields but most especially globally. There needs to be a total mindset shift to eradicate the notion that women are inferior. Women’s equality will be the driving force to more positive change in the world. The poet Maya Angelou penned a powerful poem titled, “Phenomenal Woman” and indeed this is true. The fight for women inclusion must never end and needs to be championed by every citizen. Breaking the bias must happen at every level from the executive office to the most remote village in rural West Africa. We need more awareness, resources and policies set in place and this can be done via training workshops, women’s equality groups, social media platforms and within the workplace. Much like how we won the war on slavery and overcame many setbacks from the Civil Rights Movement, we can win the war on Women’s Inequality and do it Together. Women Leadership must be a priority especially for all women of color! To leave you with my favorite quote, “United We Stand, Together We Rise”. Let us stand up, raise our voices, take action and join forces to erase gender inequality worldwide.

“there are 26 women serving as Heads of State and/or Government in 24 countries. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years.”

When we look at that great classmate who is amongst the top 3 always or a colleague who has a career graph as a high performer, the first thought is that no matter what we do, we won’t be there since their talent is innate. They were born with talent and there is no way we can become like that. With this, we get busy with our usual life knowing these things are beyond our locus of control.

The difference lies in mindset. Fixed mindset or growth mindset.

In a famous study of hundreds of adolescent students, Dr Carol Dweck and her colleagues assigned all students ten fairly challenging problems. As planned students were then praised for their good performance with two different types of praise: either stating you have got so many right answers. That’s a really good score which means you are really smart. Others were told you have got so many answers right, you must have really worked hard for this. That’s a good score.One category was praise for ability and another one for efforts.

Post this students were assigned harder problems. Most of the students didn’t do so well on these.

The students who were praised for their ability led to thoughts that they weren’t so smart or gifted.

While for students praised for efforts, this was an ask for increasing efforts. They did not think of it as a failure or lack of intellect.

This study revealed multiple aspects of mindset.

• Students with fixed mindsets rejected a challenging new task when they were given a choice. They tried not to expose their flaws by attempting something difficult

• When they got good scores, they felt talented or intelligent, they felt deficient when unable to solve difficult problems

• Students with fixed mindsets lied about their scores since they would look imperfect with low scores and that’s not acceptable

This study was done on students but I have observed it with my colleagues at work, friends, family members and even noticed I behaving this way sometimes. This stems from the belief that talent is limited and we should always look smart. Saying “I didn’t participate in the race else I would have won” when I know I don’t have the skills and practice to win the race is an example of a fixed mindset. While I avoided failure by not participating, I actually lost a growth opportunity where I could move beyond my comfort zone and learn something new.

Dictionary definition of “mindset” is “the established set of attitudes held by someone.” It is our mindset that determines whether we are bogged down by challenges or take them as opportunities.

Yes, Benjamin Bloom, a professor of education at the University of Chicago conducted a study to understand if talent was innate. He and his team Interviewed 120 Artists, Athletes and Scholars who were at the top of their game to find out what is the Key to Success. The study found that it is drive and determination and not inborn talent that ensures extraordinary performances and success. Subsequent research indicating that there’s no correlation between IQ and expert performance in fields like chess, music, sports, and medicine has borne out his findings. the sole innate differences that prove to be significant—and they matter primarily in sports—are height and body size.

The study also indicated that all kids enjoyed it when questions were easy and they got the answers right but as soon as the questions got more challenging, the ability-praised kids were devoid of all fun but the other ones not only enjoyed the challenge but also had more fun. Their performance improved as problems got harder.

Next, the researchers asked the kids to write to their peers about their experiences and scores. Forty percent of the kids who were praised for ability lied about their scores and tried looking more successful by reporting higher scores

Society plays an important role in shaping our mindset. We are always told the smartest one wins and hence we consume ourselves in looking smart and better than others and avoid mistakes. This leads to a fixed mindset. With this mindset, we just try to prove ourselves right and don’t learn from our mistakes and setback rather we avoid anything where we may fail. According to Dr Carol Dweck, people who believe their talents can be developed through continuous efforts, feedback and other strategies, have a growth mindset. These individuals achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset. Fixed mindset people believe that talents are natural gifts and hence can’t be increased. People with a growth mindset do better since they don’t worry about looking smart but work on learning and hence, they create more possibilities.

I strongly believe in “can be” and not “is” and when we move from is to can be, we become limitless and possibilitarian

What if I tell you that research has proved that it is not talent but hard work grit and mindset that decides high performance in any field.

How is that some people are able to pull through years of practice in order to ace that performance while others are simply unable to practice even for a few hours. After all, it takes hours of deliberate practice to master a skill

Now that we understood the importance of a growth mindset, let us explore if it is possible to have one. Though not easy, it is possible to move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset

1. Focus on self-awareness- Awareness is the first step towards change/ When we know our thoughts actions behaviours etc, we are better placed to analyse and make changes and hence the movement towards a growth mindset has to commence from high self-awareness. With selfawareness, self-acceptance is the next important step. As our understanding of self increases, we need to improve self-love and self-acceptance as well. Thinking no one is perfect and life is a work in progress. To improve self-awareness, I rely on feedback and reflections. Reflections from both mistakes and successes. Reflection from success helps me strengthen my strengths further and reflection from mistakes help me understand things to avoid

2. Create a new belief – mindset is all about beliefs that we hold. If we think we are limited by the gifts we got at birth we will not use deliberate practice to improve but if we think otherwise, we will continuously work towards improvement. This reminds me of one of my colleagues who was a poor listener. Being eldest amongst 7 siblings his belief was that he needs to guide everyone and hence he will continuously speak. What opened his eyes and ears was a coaching session where he realised that this was an incorrect belief and at the workplace, all have their own experiences and he is not like a father figure but a colleague. This led to change and he started paying attention to others

3. Look at failure differently – the thought process that failure comes to those who are not capable stops us from venturing into unknowns and learn from there. In the process, we lose opportunities to learn and make progress. With a growth mindset, failure is an opportunity and essential part of learning and it is nothing to be ashamed of

4. Be comfortable out of your comfort zonewhen we settle into comfort zone, we do not want to move beyond since change from this zone to growth or learning zone is extremely

uncomfortable. However, sticking with a comfort zone is a sign of a fixed mindset. Learning a new skill, working on a project beyond your regular work etc. is an example of moving beyond your comfort zone. I recently took up gardening. Loads of additional work and no skills. Multiple attempts in beginning did not yield desired results. But now I am glad on taking this up. It taught me many lessons on patience, hard work, connecting with nature etc.

5. Rely on the power of NOT YET- A high school in Chicago does things differently. If students do not pass a course they get the grade “Not Yet”. This indicates that they were not ready yet but can soon be there and they are on the learning curve. And this leads to a growth mindset. These terms were developed by Psychologist Dr Carol Dweck. Not yet leads to the future. It gives a purpose to strive for and also indicates that the task at hand is not impossible. A good example of Not Yet can be a feedback process where feedback is given on a scale so if you were at 3 in a particular skill, where have you reached after day 6 months? Is it 4 or 5 or 6 ? this indicates you are on the growth trajectory and if you targeted a 9, you have hope and the possibility of reaching there since you are making progress in the right direction.

6. Convert hollow praise to objective criticism- As Peter Drucker says, Feedback is breakfast for champions. Likewise to champion a growth mindset, one has to rely on feedback. However, the feedback should not be a heap of praise on what you are great at but it should offer you a path to improve. It should help your understanding with blind spots and increase overall self-awareness. Feedback should be sought on specific behaviours to improve. For example, when I started my journey as a professional speaker, I would ask my mentors for specific feedback on my pitch since I had a tendency of high pitch. Or when the world became virtual I asked for specific feedback on my screen presence. How I could make it better and what was working or not working for me

I am concluding with this story of Gunder Hägg. Gunder Hägg was a Swedish runner and broke multiple world records in the 1940s. Hägg had grown up with his father in an isolated part of northern Sweden. As a teenager, he loved running in the woods. He and his father thought of measuring how fast he could run. They mapped out a course of around 1,500 meters long and his father timed the clock for him.

Once the run was over his father told him that he completed it in four minutes and 50 seconds. This was good timing. As he would later recall in his autobiography, Hägg was inspired by his performance to believe that he was great at it and started working on it with determination. He became one of the world’s leading runners and broke 15 world records during his career.

Many years later, his father confessed to lying. Hagg actually took five minutes, 50 seconds. One minute more than what his father mentioned. This was nothing great. As we now understand, Hägg didn’t have exceptional talent when he started and his growth mindset helped him achieve exceptional results.

Lady Politico Power

The complex nature of gender related issues globally is far and wide reaching, tackling or strategizing to tackle these issues to so many of us, whether on a global or personal level may seem overwhelming and sometimes, simply impossible.

With that being said the aim here is to strategize and set in motion the execution of the fundamental freedom/ liberation of women everywhere.

The mistreating, marginalisation and degrading of women is before anything else a human rights issue branching from political views as well as years and years of re-establishment. Subsequently those individual political views must be looked at and addressed as individual political issues also closely looked at their roots, dug out and re-rooted into a foundation so deep and so stable it, over the years, becomes the deserved, improved standard and quality of life for women and girls all over the world. This article aims to provide solutions by doing the essential work that entails the full acknowledgment of where certain issues come from, in order to move forwards with eradicating them.

Furthermore, we must look at the backgrounds as individuals, as members of communities and members of nations and countries. As a woman of South African origin my knowledge and experience of such issues is full and layered, as the discrimination in this country towards women has been and continues to develop as a literally life threatening persisting issue.

My focus will be on Socio Economic factors that prevent women from participating in politics because participation in politics cannot be addressed adequately if it’s tackled in isolation from these underlying issues. A specific example that could be closely tied with the socio-economic gender-related mess is that of the value chain stream, apparel and the apparel industry plays a significant part of the value chain that can be fully understood by taking a close look at gender, it is not a wide known fact that 50-90% of apparel workers are women. Women are highly concentrated in the low-skilled jobs and men are in management, globally we understand and discuss labour/management conflict without taking into consideration that this is also a gender conflict. Moreover, ignoring these close correlations across many other industries is a sure way to remain stagnant in on going socio-economic issues.

Looking a bit deeper into these issues we can also focus on how institutions shape the organisation of labour markets and how we can look at the huge amount of comparative research on gender and employment-topics. A great example of this would the financial crisis of 2008 and the austerity policies that were subsequently promoted across Europe and Elsewhere, these events had a particularly influential effect on those employed in the public sector and those who used public services, once again there was very little attention paid to the fact that these issues mainly concerned women. Women are not considered in many of these issues because of varieties of capitalism, economies simply invest less

in women because they assume women will leave the labour market. In a country like South Africa for example women do not usually stop working, women are breadwinners and are often responsible for so many people outside of themselves, a woman in this country who is not financially and politically empowered is detrimental not only to herself but many of those in close proximity to her.

Although some organisations, campaigns and parties exist for the betterment of women’s lives, not enough is being done in terms of national and provincial action plans, recommended/executed structures and institutions for implementation and debate areas for cooperation’s between civil society and the Office on the Status of Women. Organisations, parties and companies no matter how big or how small all consist of one common thing, people, people make up organisations therefore what we need for any type of progress are people who care, the need of people who care for women is beyond a state of urgency, it is dire and it is a matter of life and death frankly speaking.

We cannot deal with politics in isolation and the integrated socialization of women within their respective societies and communities should be made a priority and truthfully speaking, the strides towards gender equality are not as momentous or meaningful as they ought to be in South Africa or anywhere else in the world.

The policy framework of the goals should be to outline South Africa’s vision about gender equality and what the country intends to do to realise this ideal. We should be aiming to established guidelines for South Africans to take action in remedying the historical legacy by defining new terms of reference for interactions in the private and public spheres, and by proposing and recommending institutional frameworks that facilitates equal access to goods and services for women and men. We also aim to propose a process that moves away from treating gender issues as an afterthought but to bring it up to the high priority level of need it truly is.

- Khomotso Mashalane

In addition, our aim should be to highlight the fact that there is a substantial work to be done to integrate a gender perspective into the study of socioeconomics. Without addressing gender, we not only overlook the subjective experiences of half the global population, but also miss out on insights into the shape of stratification in the economy. Liberating women financially by bridging wage/salary gaps, employing women, empowering them through representation etc. will open up the economy in immeasurable ways, this means everyone wins, this means a lack of women’s equal rights is in fact a human rights issue.

Read women. Cite women. Credit women. Teach women. Publish women. Present women. Acknowledge women. Award women. Amplify women. Hire women. Support women. Promote women. Hear women. Believe women. Follow women. Pay women. Pay women. Pay women

If these issues are not addressed at a fundamental level, even women who participate will not have the staying power and the involvement of women in politics will not be sustainable, future generations will still be lamenting about representation of women in politics if underlying issues are not addressed women’s involvement will not be impactful, it will not make any significant change and it will be for quantitative purposes as opposed to qualitative representation.

My concern is that all countries especially African countries, the mind-set of women is shaped by a number of socio-economic factors which are a prerequisite for adequate, sustainable and lasting participation in politics. To understand how welfare state systems, shape economic choices, we have to account for the ways that gender norms vary across national contexts and not fall back on universal stereotypes about women’s roles and behaviours.

Participation in continents like Africa, especially South Africa is influenced by socio economic factors like lack basic human needs, i.e. clean water, sanitation, poverty, unemployment, violence against women, senseless killings of women, rape culture, lack of financial resources, lack of access to healthcare clinics etc.

That being said what needs to be understood is that money is empowering, it empowers businesses, academic institutions medical institutions even religious institutions, women and everything framed to work for their upliftment, need money and a lack of it compromises the livelihood and integrity of millions of women out there.

ThereforeConsequently, what the lack of socio-economic empowerment of socialisation for women make them vulnerable to countless dangers the crimes against women include: murder; sexual offences; attempted murder; assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and common assault (Stats SA, 2019). In 47.7% of cases, female victims were subjected to physical assault, and 35.5% to sexual violence, which collectively explain more than 80% of crimes against women. The 2020/2021 Victims of Crime report (Stats SA, 2021), revealed that 250 in 100 000 South African women were victims of offences compared to 120 in 100 000 South African men. According to the report “these are drastic increases in less than 24 months”. Their lives depend on opening work markets, bridging wage gaps increasing their pay and educating them, doing this give women agency and autonomy that differentiates between the line between desperation and liberation not only for the moment but for life.

As members of various women organisations, we should aim to bring together some of the most progressive thinking across disciplines, integrating the gender perspectives across spectrums that will truly significantly change lives. I would like to leave you with a quote from esteemed women’s right activist Shaij Patel pleading the society to ultimate women’s lives and lives worth fighting for.

Lady Politico Power

The Glass Ceiling Is An Illusion - And Only Women Can Shatter It

By Leezá Carlone Steindorf

“I’m not the woman president of Harvard, I’m the president of Harvard.” A simple distinction by Drew Gilpin Foust highlights the innate equality of women as leaders, as professionals, as humans. Yet the remark strikes us because, like men, woman have been programmed to believe there is a #1 and #2 gender. It is common for women to explain, to justify, to give thanks for what they have earned. Upholding that paradigm, and its pervasive operating system, keeps women busy boxing their way out of the #2 position. What if our world view is actually inside out? What does the world with no #2, or #1, look like?

We seek to segregate business from life, governance and politics, from family – in reality we cannot. Our private life is the foundation of our professional life, business world and governance. To enhance and solidify our global economy, to govern with respect, steward this planet back to health, and design just social structures, it is mandatory that we not only examine, but actually value, ourselves individually. To that end, we need awareness, intention and action.

Awareness Drives Change

If you could ask a fish how they like water, the fish would reply from its natural habitat, “What water?” You would have to lift the fish out of the water, direct its little fisheyes from the air back to its liquid home, and explain, “That, there. That’s water.”

Like the fish, we do not recognize the reality of our environment, that we maintain it, and are at total liberty to change it. Indeed, we are the only ones who can, and will, shatter the Glass Ceiling. However it came to be, what matters is that you dismantle your allegiance to your own glass ceiling.

Every day women live and work within an ingrained, yet self-sustained, illusion. A recent study identified that confidence among the genders is pretty equally, up until early teens. Then, between eight and 14, girls’ confidence levels drop by 30%. The study, The Confidence Collapse, And Why It Matters For The Next Generation (2018), also points out that the percentage of girls around age 13, who believe they are not allowed to fail, increases by a whopping 150%. And, not surprisingly, one in three teens, boys and girls alike, believe that boys will make more money in life. This glass ceiling of ours has been well programmed and we have all internalized it.

The Power of Intention

Working with female executives, women of state, and leading philanthropists has emphasized that, for most women, worldly success has not shattered their internal glass ceiling. Finally arriving at the #1 position, they often still battle holding the #2 position within themselves.

It is vital for women to recognize that they, too, see themselves as second best, believe they have to work harder, be better, stay small and get out of the way. Whether male counterparts believe this or not is not of primary importance. Recognizing the beliefs anchored in women themselves is paramount; owning selfdiscrimination is the first step to ending it. Honoring personal value is the key to the kingdom.

We are speaking here of balance, not one gender over another, nor one being the preferred one. As in all things, feminine and masculine energy need to work together in a cohesive whole – the inclusive, creative, powerful feminine and the linear, driven, focused masculine.

Historically, men’s and women’s roles have been different and distinct. There is everything right with that. Yet, where we have gone awry is insisting those roles are rigid, hierarchically better and worse, and mutually exclusive. There is no right or wrong in our differences. We can switch, blend, and incorporate any roles, attributes and skills that align with our path. Diversity is natural; it is literally essential for life to thrive.

Studies show that women integrate, advance and celebrate diversity, and with that promote success. In An Institutional Approach to Gender Diversity and Firm Performance Harvard business school professors studied 1,069 leading firms in 24 industries across 35 countries. Results showed that gender diversity leads to more productivity, higher market value and more revenue. Significant is that those striking results were in companies where the prevailing company culture believes that gender diversity is important.

When women recognize the intrinsic value of their feminine presence, others do to. When women shatter their own glass ceiling, the world changes.

Trust Your Decisions, Own Your Actions

On most continents where tribal culture was historically matriarchal and governance was communal, with leadership based on trust and geared toward consensus, male dominance eventually conquered. The ensuing imbalance, within cultures and individuals, has brought us to this moment of core chaos. Women, believing they are second, is generational with roots running deep throughout founding documents, governing bodies, and tolerated social structures. Trusting it is not a fact that we are second, but rather a belief, is key to shatter the illusion and redesign the system that we are all a part of.

We must balance, enhance and appreciate the value of the feminine, first within ourselves. If we do not, we will continue on our current skewed course of destruction. We need balanced representation in parliaments, board rooms, and at our pulpits. To seriously restore healthy functioning to our global society we must intentionally interweave the attributes and contributions of women in all facets of leadership.

In her book, The Second Sex (1949), Simone de Beauvoir highlighted, “Girls who were the subjects of their own lives become the objects of others’ lives. Girls stop being and start seeming.” We can no longer afford to wither from being fully feminine in all of our being.

Humanity has arrived at the 12th hour. It is an ancient tribal vision that women will rescue humankind from the precipice and guide us safely back to sanity, stability and sustainable thriving. Women are being called to step into public office, to take the seat at the head of the table, to stand tall on the world stage. Respect your feminine life force, trust your knowing, and show up boldly.

Without hesitation, lead, not as a privilege but as our responsibility.

Lady Politico Power

Why Women Shoulder the burden of rising inequality

by Hazel Herrington

Hazel Herrington has written a book that seeks to answer why women shoulder the burden of rising inequality and how they can break through the proverbial glass ceiling. The Lady Politico Power is a compilation of essays written by successful women who share their personal stories and advice on how other women can achieve political success.

In a society where women are constantly battling against inequality, the Lady Politico Power is a much-needed read.

Hazel Herrington provides an insightful look at the role of women in politics and why more women need to be involved in order to create change. The book is packed with inspiring stories and advice from successful women who have broken through the glass ceiling. If you’re looking for a book that will motivate and empower you, then the Lady Politico Power is definitely for you.

The book has been endorsed by several high-profile women, including Shelli Brunswick the Chief Operating Officer of the Space Foundation. To pre-order a copy email: info@herringtonpublications.com or visit: www.herringtonpublications.com for more information.

Accessing the Power of

Resilience

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties wether they are emotional financial physical-based

By Moriah Priestley

The world has never been fair and free from prejudice and bias across various political power structures

Life happens and as leaders we must find ways of not just surviving ordeals but thriving in the middle of challenges and crises

In other words we must equip ourselves to have the ability to get back up and keep going when life knocks us down

You need a tool box that can be used to build your levels of “springbackability”

Your toolbox as a female leader should include:

Social Support/ Networks

Research published in 2015 in the journal Ecology and Society showed that social systems that provide support in times of crisis or trauma support resilience in the individual. This can include immediate or extended family, community, friends, and networks- which of these have you engaged to work for you

Self-Esteem

A positive sense of self and confidence in your strengths can stave off feelings of helplessness when confronted with adversity.

Communication to right sources of support

Being able to communicate clearly and effectively helps seeking support, mobilize resources, and take action

Managing your emotions

building your capacity to manage potentially overwhelming emotions (or seek assistance to work through them) helps to maintain focus when overcoming a challenge

You can do it

Moriah Priestley brings over 10 years as an experienced executive coach accomplished Corporate Executive, politician and social entrepreneur

The coaching arm of our Capacity platform (www.bn-network.com) is called

“Insight Coaching Academy”

“Insight Coaching Academy”

We have a series of group and one to one coaching options for

- Professionals wanting to transfer to business

- People wanting to set up social change projects organisations

- Women interested in moving into the political arena

- Organisations wanting to positively and actively attract /engage people from minorities into their organisation

Moriah is also available for speaking engagements

Contact us at enquiries@bn-network or yazmine@bn-network.com

The Redefinition of “Power” and The Rising of Women in Leadership in 2022 and Beyond

by Nadene Joy

With all that’s transpired in our world, it is time to consciously rethink the definition of what “power” truly is at it’s core and when and how it becomes operative as constructive vs destructive in our universe today as we know it. When we collectively choose to move from a “destructive” definition of power which has been displayed throughout history by means of competition, consumption and control towards a more “constructive” cohesive unit of collaboration, creation, compassion and human connectedness with a mutual benefactor of support and respect for all others, everyone benefits. This “constructive” way of operating is the beginning of great change first through awareness, followed by empowerment through experiential education.

It is becoming strikingly apparent in the desire amongst nations to achieve unity amongst all people and to become active advocates in moving forward by taking action and a solid stance towards achieving a stronger elevated equanimous centered dynamic world. It becomes increasingly important for women at all levels of leadership including at the c-suite levels, executive board and political vocations to have the courage to always do what is right. It is we who will declare sovereign truth with solid conviction on behalf of the people and the voiceless vulnerable populations of all nations. We must consistently show up with an open yet firm unwavering humbled heartfelt communication style overflowing with compassion, confidence, enthusiasm, passion, determination, faith, integrity and the utmost of excellence at all times. We must learn to let go and surrender all control of any premeditated

outcomes and expectations and be open to adopting new ways of operating with a new limitless mental vision and unlimited capacity that is available to each of us in all circumstances.

We, especially as women, are integral members of society and must learn to have diligent faith, trust and believe fully in ourselves and the abilities including the unique God-given gifts that each of us are fervently blessed with. We must know that we are all innately worthy of greatness from the inside out, do not have to prove our worth and are good enough exactly as we are. When we show up fully, shine our light brightly and be the voice of the voiceless in society no matter what opposing forces might be, we “model” this precious gift money cannot ever buy that gives others hope, courage, strength and the unapologetic choice to step into their “authentic power” to also help others do the same.

Three Steps to Evolving Towards “Authentic Societal Power”

1) Adaptability. Our world is changing faster then ever before in history. In order to lead others we need to consistently adapt to our environment, to the technology and the evolving human needs of others such as the sense of belongingness of each individual in community.

2) Curiosity. A curious mind continuously asks questions and learns about people, connects better with others and inspires innovative thinking. Curious people tend to express more genuine intrinsic empathy because they prefer asking questions instead of “reacting” by stating their “truth.”Hazel,

3) Creativity. Creativity is one of the most important characteristics of an effective leader that fosters a successful healthy environment regardless of the role or industry. Creativity is key as it opens doors of opportunities in problem-solving, achieving goals leading to unexpected perspectives and solutions which is one of the main roots in increasing profitability for corporations across the board.

Rising Trends for Women Continue…

Overall, women on boards are steadily increasing throughout time and women in high-level positions continue to rise in 2022 and beyond. While we still have a long ways to go in ensuring women are well represented in all aspects of leadership, the future has never looked brighter. We have more women now than ever before in history in key high-level leadership positions in companies, on boards, earning bachelors degrees, in governmental roles and it is even now proven (by Catalyst) that companies with more female leaders in management and on boards had a significantly better overall financial performance.

According to the 2021 Osler Report:

1. 100% of S&P 500 boards have at least one female director

According to Spencer Stuart’s Board Index, 100% of S&P 500 boards now have female board representation, compared to 91% just 10 years ago.*

2. 30% of all S&P 500 Directors Are Women (The Most Ever)

The percentage of female directors and “gender diversity” at S&P 500 companies surprisingly nearly doubled to 30% from 16% ten years ago.*

3. Women’s Representation Has Increased At Every Leadership Level

In the last 5 years, women are a larger portion of the pie at every leadership level including director, VP, SVP and most significantly at the C-suite level.

4. Women’s Earnings are Only 82% of Men’s, but the Pay Gap Continues to Reduce

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s is the highest its ever been at 82%.*

5. Women Make Up Over a Quarter of U.S. Congress’ Membership

Women make up over a quarter (27%) of all members of the U.S. Congress, the highest percentage in U.S. history according to the Center of American Women in Politics.*

Nadene Joy - Bio

Ms. Nadene Joy is a Global Royal Advisor, Leadership Strategist, Communications expert, Business Accelerator Coach, former petroleum exploration geologist executive, CEO of Nadene Joy Consulting Inc., Founder of The Global Movement of Hope, Chair of The Global Lead 2 Impact Summit, Member of The International Society of Female Professionals and a CEC Global Ambassador. She is recognized internationally as a top sought after woman in leadership, known as the “Changemaker,” who has been featured on hundreds of global media outlets including USA TODAY, FOX, CBC and The Globe and Mail and has worked with thousands of clients internationally and advised personally with some of the most prolific leaders of our time. Nadene Joy is also the recipient of The TISGS Award of Business Excellence In Social Impact, Woman of Substance Award from The St. Mother Theresa University, is the prestigious recipient of The Top 40 Global CEO of The Year Award, Ambassador for Human Rights and Peace and is one of only 15 women globally who was distinctively honoured to receive the 2022 Woman of Heart Award (WOHA).

Nadene is an incredible leader who is passionate about serving others, being an impactful leader, humanitarian and friend who makes a positive distinguished difference and brings hope, joy, peace, purpose, unity and love in our world to all she encounters.

The time has come now to rise up and shine as a women in leadership. The world needs YOU more now than ever. In summary, as Kofi Annan eloquently states; “there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.” Going forward, we must rely on the proven facts, the numbers are #truth and don’t lie.

Thanks so much! See you again very soon, have a fabulous weekend ahead Hazel

Warm regards and blessings, Nadene Joy

CEO of Nadene Joy Consulting Inc. Chair/Founder of The Lead 2 Impact Summit Founder of The Global Movement of HOPE

TISGS Award Of Business Excellence In Social Impact

Woman of Substance Award from The St. Mother Theresa University Top 40 CEO of the Year Award (by Excellence Speaks) 2022 Woman of Heart Award (WOHA)

Clout Tech of the 21 century in Aviation

Aviation Must recognizes, Appreciate and Get Benefit of clout the technological gift of 21st century in AI, Block chain, Digital Currency, Cloud, Tactile Internet, IOT, AR,VR, MR, U commerce, Data and Robotics.

Passengers around the world are now facing various challenges. As Amadeus analysts found out, these are primarily:

47% of passengers experience discomfort when going through passport control, interacting with security and customs officials. The solution could be automatic transit at the airport. To do this, it is necessary to introduce a system of automatic passage of passport control / customs. The emergence of such technology is expected by 53% of travelers.

How disruptive technologies are transforming travel

The future of the travel industry is likely to be shaped by technological and social innovation. Travel will become more comfortable with the help of innovations

Stress after a trip, namely, passing through customs or passport control, is experienced by almost 51% of returning tourists. The solutions to the problem can be as follows:

- Introduction of smart tickets that will automatically update travel data (flight delays, change of departure date, etc.)

- Introduction of M-health technologies, namely, miniature sensors for monitoring heart rate and blood pressure. 82% of travelers want wearable devices to monitor and help reduce stress while traveling.

Researching Options and opportunities in unfamiliar terrain takes up to 47% of tourists’ time. The solution may be to create smart recommendations based on the aggregation of data from expert blogs and online directories. Thus, personalized travel guides will be created, the appearance of which is expected by 86% of travelers. 51% of tourists are not aware of the best places, local restaurants and bars. Augmented reality technologies can provide access to historical and cultural information and expert assessments of the area. 61% of travelers expect a mobile app that overlays visual information about physical objects.

Good hotel / restaurant recommendations are lacking in 47% of travelers. Payment technologies in service establishments with payment memory will allow you to keep smart records, evaluate the quality of visited places and, over time, visit them again. 47% of tourists are ready to provide personal data in order to receive more personalized services.

The lack of access to home music, video and business data is a discomfort for business travelers. Cloud computing will give travelers easy access to their own music, video and data from hotel rooms. 59% of business travelers want to work with any data that is available on their home devices.

Which companies are using CLOUD OF EVERYTHING/clout technologies?

Easy Jet uses wearable technology. The new staff uniform features LEDs on the shoulders and hem to visually guide passengers. The work wear also has built-in microphones for direct communication with passengers, pilots and crew members. There is also an LED indicator on the lapel of the uniform, which displays basic information about the flight (flight number, direction of flight, etc.). The company used drones to check its fleet of aircraft.

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (Finland) improves service quality with Wi-Fi and I beacons. Airport operator Finavia has partnered with Walk base to install dozens of sensors in terminals to track passenger movements from the parking lot and further through the terminal. Air harbor services can now prevent queues, and airport shops can now send push notifications to passengers about great deals.

Virgin Atlantic has connected its Boeing 787 aircraft to a wireless network. Now the technical services of the airline and the airport receive real-time data from IOT devices on the operation of aircraft nodes. A single aircraft can produce over 0.3 terabytes of data per flight. The number of flights per year is in the thousands. Boeing’s latest aircraft have wireless connectivity to almost everything from engines, flaps, to landing gear.

London City Airport has developed an interconnected sensor network and data hub to track passenger traffic. The project allows you to measure the number of passengers (through a network of sensors / cameras tracking faces), provide clients with location-based services.

Miami Airport has connected more than 500 beacons to the network, which provide detailed information and personalized services to customers in their terminals. In order to use the services based on navigation beacons, travelers need to download the MIA Airport Official mobile app. Users can scan boarding passes, navigate between different points in the airport, and find check-in counters. Based on the distance of the beacons from the passenger, the application calculates the distance between the points and the approximate time for which it can be covered.

Lufthansa has launched a radio frequency tag network and mobile app that can track baggage from terminal to flight. Travelers can check information via Bluetooth.

Australia’s largest airline Qantas has launched an entertainment service with Samsung Electronics. To use it, you need the Samsung Gear VR headset, which some aircraft are equipped with. Onboard virtual reality helmets will allow you to watch new movies, learn about the airline’s flight directions, get information about traditions, interesting places and establishments of the destination, etc.

Rolls Royce is working with Microsoft to implement IOT technologies to make its aircraft engines “smart.” Microsoft solutions are used to diagnose potential engine failures. Information about engine health, air traffic control, route restrictions and fuel use will be collected from hundreds of sensors inside the engines The data is then analyzed to detect any operational anomalies or indications of malfunctions.

Shenzhen Airport started using An Bot in April 2016, which can work around the clock and respond to emergencies. The robot is equipped with four digital cameras; it can autonomously patrol the terminal and carry out intelligent monitoring, answer passengers’ questions about flight information, etc. An-Bot was developed by the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau and the National University of Defense Technology.

Clout seems the best option to take aviation to the next level

S7 Airlines - one of the largest and most respected airlines in Russia – is reaping a number of business rewards after developing its own block chain platform for ticket sales

WOMEN ADVERSITY & RESILIENCE

HHow you handle adversity will determine your destiny. ADVERSITY is the boogieman those who love you seek to protect you from, ADVERSITY is the mountain that the weak refused the climb and ADVERSITY is the weapon that your enemies use against you. Therefore, if you are going to get anywhere in life you had better learn how to manage ADVERSITY

Adversity comes in many forms and is even used by the ones who love us. The most common type is fear. When I was a little girl, my aunt would use a very simple discipline technique. She would say “Erika, stop doing that. If you don’t, it won’t be a pretty picture.” My aunt never raised her voice and didn’t have a scowl on her face. However, the fear that went through my body hearing that simple phrase made my heart flutter and my mouth get dry. I trembled with caution regarding my next move. Quite frankly it worked very well even into adulthood until one day I asked her what does that terrifying phrase really mean. My aunt responded “I don’t know!” We both laughed. It was a veiled threat that she used to control my behavior. There was no specific plan of execution but it was an effective tool.

We even use the tool of fear on ourselves. We worry about things that may or may not happen. I work to be intentional at managing my fear regarding things that are yet to come by saying quick axioms such as “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift so let’s enjoy the present.” I have a ton of mindful acronyms that help me navigate the moment. FEAR; Face Everything and Respond. FEAR; False Evidence Appearing Real. But what about when it is time to fight character assassination. Such as when you are attacked with sniper-like precision in a business meeting or even when a powerful narcissist sends their minions to make your life miserable. Cyberbullying, gang stalking, and doxing are real. These are tactics that may be used against you in politics and notable success.

Are you shaking in your boots? Admittedly there were times that I was terrified when these types of tactics were used against me. I had to learn not to be afraid of the big bad Boogieman. Imagine saying to yourself something like this the next time you are afraid.

“You live your life afraid of the thing that goes bump in the night. I AM THE THING THAT GOES BUMP IN THE NIGHT. Only the worthy can be my friend, but you damn sure don’t want to be my enemy. Bad things happen to my enemies and I never lay hands on them. Understand that this is the complexity of my power.” You just may feel an inner strength rise from the depths of your soul.

What does a statement such as this mean? The Buddhist may put it in the context of karma. A Mafia boss might put it in the context of a threat. As a Christian, I put it in the context of God’s promise to protect me from my enemies. Psalm 57:6 They have prepared a trap for me, but they will fall into it.

Romans 8:37–39 37 Know, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lastly, Psalm 23:5 God prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.

As women of significance, we must prepare ourselves to fight because war is coming. No matter if you are on the battlefield, in politics, or in the boardroom, WAR! IS! COMING! Our adverse childhood experiences, imposter syndrome, rejection and isolation as well as the fear of failure itself. We must plan for CPR situations with our 911 narrative.

Prepare ourselves with a plan for responding positively to disappointment. Here are the ingredients for my recipe to battle disappointment. EVERYTHING, NOTHING, ALL.

Ask for EVERYTHING. Expect NOTHING. Be grateful for ALL. Even your most difficult failures especially the ones that bring you shame.

This is the recipe for making your Fear, your Fuel. Stopping your disappointments from being your distractions and making your haters your motivators.

Success requires us to FIGHT! For me, that means FAITH IN GOD HOLDS TRUE.

Practical tips for fighting the war of success and significance are: 1. Never punch down- This will make you appear small or like a bully

Mentally prepare yourself. People often build you up just to tear you down

Don’t expect those closest to you to support you. Many times, those who have personal relationships don’t see your potential. Even Jesus had to leave Nazareth so that his greatness could be recognized 4. Adversity can be valuable. If they are criticizing you, that means they hear your message. Embrace adversity as a chance for opportunity 5. Fight with purpose and refuse to give up. Let your mess be your message.

Success is calling girls; it is time for WAR! WOMEN FACING ADVERSITY WITH RESILIENCE.

By Coach Erika LOVE

GLOBAL EVENTS & CONFERENCES.

Celebrity Moments

Hazel Herrington with Dr Phil Hazel Herrington with Grammy Nominee and musician Jewel Kilcher

Hazel Herrington with Brooke Shields

“It is in your hands, to make a better world for all who live in it”.

- Nelson Mandela

Hazel Herrington with Nelson Mandela’s grandson Ndaba Mandela

From Vision to Reality, How Women Create a World Without Barriers to Power

by Dixie Gillaspie by Dixie Gillaspie

It’s on the future reality, right? You can see how that world will function, you can feel how you will experience that world. You would love to live in that world. If only.

But when you wake up in this world, where is your focus?

In this world there are barriers. Some are consciously enforced by those for whom the current reality represents success and safety. Some are simply so deeply baked into the fabric of our accepted norms that they are both incredibly solid and nearly invisible. (We don’t call it a “glass ceiling” because it’s easily shattered, but because we don’t see it until we encounter it and even some who have seen its effect still insist it does not exist.)

And when we’re working to create that future reality our default is to focus on the barriers.

We focus on them, we rail against them. We resist, we fight, we protest. It’s exhausting.

Worse than the exhaustion is the yo-yo factor. It’s a lot like yo-yo dieting, first you lose weight and you give that woman in the mirror a high five. Then you gain weight and you give her a kick in the pants. You double down on the workouts and the salads, the scale goes down a few ticks, and the cycle begins again.

The barriers women face individually and collectively aren’t personal. They’re structural. They’re rooted in power structures that were created by men and for men thousands of years ago.

Therefore, to successfully remove the barriers we can’t just invest in social change. We must commit to transforming the culture of power and creating a new reality.

True creation has a natural structure. Like every other creation process, whether it’s the creation of a fit body, a culture of equality, or an artistic masterpiece, if we aren’t in the right structure the results will yo-yo between progress and backsliding, success and failure, hope and despair.

To successfully transform what is into what we desire it to be we must follow these steps.

When you envision a time when women experience no barriers to playing powerful roles in shaping the world, where is your focus?

And isn’t that yo-yo cycle exactly what we’ve seen in our quest for gender equality in global politics and power?

Just as the person who steps on the scale every day isn’t pursuing a weight goal, but seeking a certain level of fitness or appearance, we don’t really care about the barriers between women and power.

Our desired end result isn’t more women in places of power in politics or anywhere else. It’s a world where women are equitable co-creators with equal leverage of resources and power. Removing the barriers to women having equal access to power and participation is only a step that needs to be taken in order to achieve that outcome.

Just as a sculptor must focus on the shape she is revealing from the block of marble, we must focus on the shape of the world we’re working to create.

As any alchemist will tell you, the first step in turning lead into gold is not hating the lead. The sculptor cannot afford the trap of being angry with the marble for not yet being the desired shape, she must look at her block of marble every day and see its shape for what it is – simply a stage in her future creation.

We cannot create the reality we envision by being in resistance to the reality we live in in the present. Instead, we must look at the current power structures and see what is true today without giving our energy to hate, fear, or resistance.

Certainly, there are barriers to be broken, and problems to be solved. But if we try to create a new power structure, one that supports women equally, while anchored to the problems in the current structure, then we’ve only given power to the problem instead of to the reality we wish to create. In this structure we will continue to yo-yo between victory and loss.

When we are in the creative structure, focused on our true desire, honest and accepting of the current reality, and without resistance to what is, what has been, or to the work ahead of us, then the next aligned actions show up as clear and obvious.

Interestingly enough, they may be the same actions already on the table. But we’re taking them from a place of power, giving our focus to our creation rather to the myriad of problems in the way. And because focus is a pipeline of power and energy, the actions themselves take less energy and carry more power.

This is the vision, a world where women experience no barriers to playing powerful roles in creating the world we will live in in the future. Let us put our power and focus there, release the resistance to what is, and get busy creating a new reality.

#1 We must be clear on the desired end result and put our focus there.

#2 We must be able to see the truth about current reality without resistance.

#3 We must take consistent action that is aligned with our desired end result.

Get Featured

If you’re a woman leader in politics, then Herrington Publications would love to feature you in our next issue of Lady Politico Power magazine! As a leading publication for women in politics, we are always on the lookout for new and inspiring stories to share. If you’re interested in getting featured, simply contact us at info@herringtonpublications.com and let us know. We would be more than happy to chat with you about it further. In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to our magazines so that you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and events happening in the world of politics!

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