Historically, women have been collaborators, nurturers of the individual's gifts, and builders of community. Though the impact of women leaders was most often created behind the scenes, this made it no less potent or essential to the well-being of the culture.
Today, the number of women in highly visible leadership roles are growing, and so the face of the world's organizations, governments and corporations are changing. Yet as these women strive to bring their unique gifts to leadership models and practices, many if not most find themselves under supported and over worked. Spent and hollow, there is something vitally important that has not yet been established as part of the new structure.
Please allow us to introduce ourselves: Robin Rice, an internationally published author, spiritual healer, and a personal mentor to women leaders, and Annie Johnstone, a physical therapist, practitioner of integrative bodywork, performing artist, and Qi Gong teacher.
Not long ago, something important began to happen in our healing practices. More and more women leaders—many of them of significant accomplishment and influence in the world—began appearing in a state of physical and spiritual crisis. As we began to ask deep questions of these women, several truths emerged. Most important was the truth that, although we have great successes to celebrate, we have not been attending closely enough to the costs of the journey.
Hearing the stories of these women leaders, we discovered a devastating new level of trauma in the mind-body-spirit split that occurs when the feminine soul is required to operate within a predominantly masculine environment. Though the sacrifices required for "success" have long been known to the individual, the degree of collective impact is only now becoming clear.
And so our task became clear.
It is now time to ask the greater community of women leaders the same questions we have presented to those who have become ill. These questions must be asked before a woman's energy is completely taken into the task of healing herself, as well as after she has made the heroic journey back to balance.
As friends, fellow healers, and feminine collaborators, we are in the beginning stages of creating The Center For The Spiritual Support of Women Leaders. Together, we will ask women leaders like you this vitally important question: "What are your needs...now?" From this question, we will ask another, equally important one: "What might be possible when the world's most powerful women are well supported and well cared for?"
As a community "center" that is spiritual in nature, we are creating S~P~A~C~E to explore such soul-based questions as part of a balanced structure of support. When you find your own answers (and we will help you discover the answers that are not quick to come), you will not only find your own way. You will also help us better understand how to support all women, of all age groups and in all parts of the world, as they take their places of leadership.
Talk to us. We are listening.
Annie Johnstone & Robin Rice, Founders
The Center For The Spiritual Support of Women Leaders
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