Are you a woman of influence?

Perhaps the question is better worded by asking 'who have you influenced today?". In the late 1920's did Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Nellie McClung have any understanding of how they would influence the leaders of the day and in fact CHANGE the world? Did Senator Elaine McCoy know when she graduated from the University of Alberta with a BA and LLB how her life path would affect Canadian Women in the near future? How many of us really realize how we affect the world around us? As mothers and wives, sisters and daughters - each choice we make and each step we take we are making changes to the world. For those of you who are entrepreneurs or have started businesses that help you to follow you passion - you are making a difference. When I was a police officer, for eight years I loved my job. I loved driving fast with the lights and sirens on - I loved helping people - but I never saw myself as a woman of influence. (Although with a gun on my hip - others would have disagreed!) However the stress of the internal politics depressed me and stressed me out to the point I took stress leave and eventually quit. I left feeling like a failure - unable to take the pressure. Unable to harden myself to the politics of the workplace. I left broken. It was several years later that I learned that a woman I had contact with - and given a harsh lecture to, had resurfaced. I still remember asking her what she was doing with her life - telling her that she had incredible potential and value and to do something important with her life. At the time of the lecture, she made the decision to do just that - change her life. Today she is a police officer - hopefully influencing other young women as I once did for her. The funny part of all of this was that although I vaguely remember the incident I had with this young woman - what I had said to her had a profound and direct influence in her life. I and did not even know it. When I found this information out - it changed my entire life. Suddenly, those eight wasted years on the police service had meaning. There had been a reason for me to be there. Despite the emotional turmoil and disappointment that I felt when I left - I knew then and there that there had been a reason. How many other people had I influenced in a good way in my career of policing - or for that matter in my life? It was then that I realized that I was a woman of influence. In fact all of us carry that distinct honour. Many of us however do not realize it. You affect people every day. And even more so when you are doing what you believe in and love. When you have passion for a cause - be it helping another woman by being a child care worker, or by working as a nurse or firefighter, you are changing the world. Recognize your value and influence in all that you do. When you are able to see your own value - you are then able to join with other women in claiming our power and using it for the betterment of our world. We are changing the world ladies. We are making it a better place. We may not wear medals, or march in celebration often, but we are changing the world - and we must teach our daughters to do the same. We are all women of influence. Mandie A big thank you to Senator Elaine McCoy for giving me the honour of attending the Women of Influence Luncheon in Calgary November 8th in her stead. We all send our wishes for a recovery from her illness. She has truly been a Woman of Influence. This blog has been a version of the short keynote I was able to offer.