The "Us" Imperative in Leadership

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER • FEBRUARY 2021

It Takes a Flock to Fly

A Message from the President of Vision 2020

I have always believed that good leaders create more leaders, not more followers. A good leader wants to inspire others to step up. A good leader who has a long-term vision requiring lots of effort over time needs others to share the work.

I started talking about this when I was running for U.S. Senate in 1992. I was speaking at a rally in front of the LOVE statue in Philadelphia. I described political leadership as an “us” imperative, not a “me” aspiration. I likened it to birds flying in V formation.

The lead bird at the vertex of the V works hardest to carve a path through the turbulence. When that bird needs a rest, it drops back and another bird takes the lead. Changes in leadership continue until the flock reaches its destination.

When I founded Vision 2020 more than a decade ago, I knew it would take a flock to fly. So our small team at Drexel began reaching out to leaders across the nation willing to join us on the long flight toward economic, political and social equality for women.

Political equality became a priority because decisions made by government have a huge impact on the economic and social issues affecting all of us. In 2010, the League of Women Voters, the Women’s Campaign Fund, the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers and the Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics at Chatham were among a handful of organizations already working to get more women involved in the political process.

In 2021, we have not reached our destination of gender parity in government, but there is wind beneath our wings as never before. We have a first-ever woman vice president and a record number of women in the Cabinet and in Congress. Neither Vision 2020 nor any single organization made that happen.

Over the past 10 years, the V formation leading progress for women in politics has included nonpartisan Vision 2020 Allies Dare to Run, IGNITE, Nonprofit VOTE, Represent Women, Rock the Vote, Vote Lead Impact, Vote Like a Woman, Voter Participation Center, Vote Run Lead, When We All Vote, Women Campaign and Women Voters USA.

All those women leaders who stepped up to share the turbulence also share the praise for this impressive progress toward gender equality in politics. As we continue to inspire each other and create more good leaders, regardless of their gender identity, I am increasingly hopeful that we will land in an America where We the People are all equal.

Until then, let's keep flying together!

Lynn H. Yeakel, Founder and President, Vision 2020

Women 100 Events — Please share with your networks

SPRING BREAKTHRU PUBLIC EVENT:

Don't miss this free virtual event on Thursday, March 18 at 3 pm ET. Learn more and register.

Panelists will provide insight and advice for those seeking to foster change and promote social justice. The session will be moderated by Teresa C. Younger, a Vision 2020 Delegate and president & CEO of Ms. Foundation for Women. Panelists are:

La’Tasha D. Mayes of New Voices for Reproductive Justice
Jamia Wilson, movement builder and storyteller
Kelli Wilson Begay of Native Americans in Philanthropy

Spring Breakthru Registration Now Open!

Free virtual conference for college students

Thursday and Friday, March 18-19

Learn more and register.

MEET SOME OF OUR FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Liz Plank, author, journalist, and Executive Producer of Divided States of Women at Vox Media

Keynote Speaker

Amber Hikes, chief equity & inclusion officer at the ACLU

Session: The Future of the Workplace

Sara Guillermo, executive director at IGNITE

Session: Engaging in Civic Issues

Kelli Wilson Begay, chief strategy and operations officer of Native Americans in Philanthropy

Session: How to Build a Movement

Have You Reserved Your Spot for

The Mask You Live In?

FILM VIEWING WINDOW OPENS FEBRUARY 20

Everyone is invited to Vision 2020's free virtual panel discussion of The Mask You Live In on Thursday, February 25 at 12 pm ET. Learn more.

This award-winning film has sparked a national conversation about America's narrow understanding of masculinity and the path forward.

We especially encourage you to include the men and boys in your life who might benefit from participating.

View trailer and register today.

Share This PDF to Tell Teachers about Women's History Month Unit

A video tour of Women 100's exhibition on women's equality – and an Educator's Guide to using the tour as a teaching tool – are perfect for a Women's History Month unit and available at no cost to teachers nationwide. The video follows three college students as they explore Seat at the Table, which is installed at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia. The unit can be taught virtually or in a classroom. Download an interactive PDF (right) you can share with educators you know.

Vision 2020 Coalition

FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Coalition Members Share Most Admired Black Women Leaders, Creators and Activists

Join us this month in sharing the stories and digital platforms of Black women you admire. Send us their names and the social media accounts we should be following. Tag us @vision2020women100 or send an email to us at vision2020@drexel.edu.

Leona Tate

"She is one of the four little girls who desegregated the Deep South in 1960. She is opening the first civil rights museum in New Orleans: TEP Center.”

Sent by Dr. Caroline Heldman, The Representation Project (Allied Organization)

Image: TEP Center website

Rebecca Cole

“She was the second African-American woman to become a doctor in the U.S. Reading about how she stood up against racial disparities in medical treatment and care inspired me.”

Sent by Fran Melmed, Jill Melmed-Buzzeo Award (Allied Organization)

Image: Library of Congress

Dr. Roxane Gay

"She is an amazing writer and leading public intellectual of our day.”

Sent by Dr. Caroline Heldman, The Representation Project (Allied Organization)

Image: Roxane Gay's website

Lynn Yeakel to Speak on 'Vision 2020 Then and Now'

The Sanibel, Florida, chapter of the League of Women Voters, a Vision 2020 Allied Organization, will host a talk by Lynn Yeakel, founder and president of Vision 2020 and director of Drexel University College of Medicine's Institute for Women's Health and Leadership. Her talk will be followed by an audience Q&A via Zoom chat.

Lynn's topic is "Vision 2020 Then and Now: The Unfinished Business of Gender Equality." The free virtual event will take place on Wednesday, March 10, at 4 pm ET. To register and receive the link, email lwvsanibel@gmail.com.

Welcome New Coalition Members

We are pleased to welcome the following new member to the Vision 2020 coalition:

Women 100 Proud Partner

The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

Empowering Photo of the Month

In March, Jane Fraser will become the CEO of Citigroup, America’s third largest bank. She is the first woman to run any of the big Wall Street banks. While making history, she also fits a pattern of women getting the top job at a Fortune 500 firm when it is struggling, as Citi has been. Married with two sons, Fraser has a management style described as centered on empathy.

View image and article in the New York Times