I’ve never been much of a political person, but after attending the 2012 YWCA national conference in Washington DC this past weekend, I see a bigger picture. I see new possibilities and ways in which I can leverage my sphere of influence and my network to create positive change in the world. And so can you.
“All politics is local,” said Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, a panelist at the YWCA’s opening discussion on “The Intersection of Race and Women’s Empowerment in the 21st Century.” Victoria was recently named one of the top 12 scholars in the USA by Diversity Magazine. Victoria reminded us that there is strength in numbers and also in persistence. As individuals, we need to break free of our own timidity and bring our voice and be known on issues that are important to us in our communities.To paraphrase her remarks ‘It is everyday influence by ordinary people that can create extraordinary change.’
Fighting for your values
We were honored and privileged to be addressed in person by Vice President of the United States, Mr. Joe Biden. I have never been in the same room as a President or Vice President of the USA, so this was quite exciting. The security checks and presence of the Secret Service was half the fun.
Vice President Biden, whose daughter serves on the board of directors for YWCA Delaware, gave an impassioned appeal to all the women and men in the room to raise our voices and to fight for our values, especially as it concerns the safely and well-being of women and children in this country. In 1994, Biden played a critical role in the introduction and passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
- Watch Joe Biden’s speech captured by CSPAN Gloria Lau, CEO of the YWCA USA introduces the Vice President. Be sure to listen to his message around time code 18:29. Is this bill working? Listen to the topline review of the results created by VAWA funding (time code 20:47)
- Learn more about the VAWA bill with this YWCA fact sheet
Time is of the essence
The VAWA is up for re authorization and recently passed the Senate by a wide margin. But it faces resistance in the House. Congress will be “marking up the bill” today – May 8th. They are likely to strip out protection for Native American women . Read more.
“We shouldn’t even be having this debate.” Biden told the YWCA. “What kind of message would we be sending to women and girls if this bill doesn’t pass?” He specifically called out the women who are virtually prisoners in their own home due to the abuse they are enduring at the hands of their spouses and partners who are battering them, One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
Domestic violence cuts across all socioeconomic status, races and ages. In the 1990’s, domestic violence was the “dirty little secret” that no one wanted to talk about. The VAWA bill helped to raise awareness and to break through the barriers of shame to bring much needed assistance and support to battered women everywhere.
Call to action
Biden closed his talk by quoting his father who raised him with the philosophy that “Abuse of power is the cardinal sin of all.” Biden remembers his father saying “Don’t tell me your values; show me your budget and I’ll tell you what your value.”
Biden called us to action to contact our elected officers and tell them that we support the reinstatement of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). He motivated the 400 YWCA leaders in the ballroom with the charge “You are some of the most respected and influential people in the country. People listen to you. You are not motivated by personal gain, but by mainstream values. Don’t ever underestimate your power. You have impact.”
And so do you!
Your Networking Goal for the Week
Use your voice and rally your community to advocate for the kind of change you wish to see in the world. You have more power and influence than you know. You just need to: 1) educate yourself on the issues – get the facts; 2) have the critical conversations on the issues with people in your network; 3) listen to different view points; 4) let your values be known and communicate directly with your elected officials. (type your ZIP code to find out who your elected officials are and how you can contact them. It’s easy and quick). Don’t ever be intimated to make calls, send emails and visit with your elected officials. Remember, they work for you.
Use social media to communicate the issues and advocate for the change you feel is important. The people in your network will listen to you. They may even act on your advocacy. It can be as easy as re-posting a video or sharing a link on an important topic on your Facebook page.
You don’t have to be political to advocate for social change, but you do need to act.Your network and your sphere of influence can extend your personal reach and impact. How about exercising some of that power and influence this week?
About the writer: Kathy McAfee is known as America’s Marketing Motivator and is author of the book Networking Ahead for Business. In her role as Executive Presentation Coach and Professional Speaker, Kathy helps her clients to become the recognized leaders in their fields by mastering the art of high engagement presentations, more effective networking and personal marketing. Kathy is a board member of YWCA Hartford Region and an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas. To learn more about Kathy, visit her web site MarketingMotivator.net. If you like this tip and want to receive free networking tips on a weekly basis, please sign up at NetworkingAhead.com
