For those who watch the TV show Call the Midwife, a recent episode showed Violet running for mayor — against all men. In a way it was shocking to see that visual of her with all those men. We were reminded of the very difficult path of those early women who tried to break through male-dominated politics and business. Thanks to her skills, honesty, and willingness to help all of Poplar, she won. Whoo hoo!
Fast forward to the April 3 front-page article by Jessica Mackinnon, “Making history,” highlighting four powerful women leaders in our communities: Vicki Scaman, Oak Park village president; Cathy Adduci, River Forest’s first female village president; Shatonya Johnson, Oak Park’s first female police chief; and Kenya Thomas, Oak Park postmaster. What a delight to read this article and to celebrate our wonderful local women leaders.
The beautifully written piece highlights the powerful, smart, skilled, creative and compassionate styles of feminine leadership. We each have aspects of feminine and masculine energy within. It was so encouraging to get to know these women who have a successful and beautiful balance of feminine and masculine qualities for successful cutting-edge leadership.
Some of these qualities overlap, and others are purely from the feminine space. These traits are: skilled, strong, grounded, tough, open, creative at problem solving, getting things done, caring, experienced. They are emotionally intelligent, transformational, forward-thinking, and inclusive. They have a servant leadership style, confidence, resilience, an ability to handle problems and criticism. These women connect with spiritual guidance, family, girlfriends and nature; they take some vacation time and have a fine sense of humor.
This successful style may be summarized by a quote from Cathy Adduci: “Women do the work. We show up consistently and that’s half the battle. We made a commitment to our roles, and we give it our all. The pushback doesn’t deflate us, it motivates us.”
I feel so proud to live in here and be a woman witnessing this shift in leadership style.
Thanks. Brava!
Violet is smiling.
Gina Orlando
Former longtime Oak Parker