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February 24, 2020 ♦ Issue 27 |
| Revisiting Our Most-Read Stories From 2019
In the past year, we've featured some incredible women leaders who have graciously shared the lessons they've learned on their journeys. Here are some of the articles you read most in 2019. We believe the information shared then is just as valuable today. If you missed it, here's your opportunity for a first-time read. If you read it before, consider how well you've been able to apply the wisdom shared. Click on each title or picture to read the stories or choose your own favorites by visiting the archives. |
| Remember Who Is in Charge
Ednor Davison, communication director for Atlantic Union Conference, spent 12 years in secular management positions before working 18 years in leadership positions within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She knows it is God who placed her as a leader, and she remembers that when facing challenges.
"It's easy to become discouraged because of the difficulties, but I intentionally step back and take a moment to remind myself 'Who' it is that is leading my life," she says. |
| In Leadership, Humor Helps
Elaine Hagele, who served as vice president of finance for the Mid-America Union Conference from 2007 to 2014, found building relationships was key to surviving in situations where she was the only woman in a meeting. She also had to have a sense of humor.
"I’ve had to laugh at situations when both men and women have asked what I was doing at meetings, saying, ‘Which leader is your husband?’" she recalls. "When they learned I had my own leadership role, I expect they were more uncomfortable with their stereotyping than I was.”
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| Living Out God's Calling
As advocacy coordinator for ADRA Europe, Maja Ahac oversees the communication and advocacy work of 30 ADRA offices across Europe.
"In my early 20s I was given one of the best pieces of advice, to refocus my life’s perspective from me and my comfort zone to God and His calling for my life [which is, by the way, way out of my own comfort zone]," Ahac says. "I am now living God’s dreams for my life, and I enjoy it so much."
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| Leading by Listening
Debbie Maloba is the Women’s and Children’s Ministries director for the East-Central Africa Division, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. The division serves more than 4 million people across 11 countries.
"Most leaders tend to set their minds on ideas and not consider what others think, however, as I work with people from diverse backgrounds, I tend to let them express themselves too," Maloba says.
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| | — Michele Joseph, managing editor, Adventist Women Leaders newsletter. |
| | Listen to the Podcast
Listen to our discussions with women leaders who share what makes a good leader, finding and becoming effective mentors, "the divine gift of womanhood" and having difficult conversations in the workplace. Listen on Spotify and iTunes. Please subscribe and give positive reviews and ratings to raise the podcast's visibility and encourage others to listen. Email ideas for future podcasts to co-hosts Natalia Lopez-Thismon and Natalie Boonstra at flourishthepodcast@gmail.com.
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| | Maxims—Words of Wisdom for Women Leaders |
| "Women have a tendency to be self-limiting — we think we can’t do something because we fail to appreciate our abilities. Because of that, we’re sometimes less willing to take risks, step outside of the box, and pursue an opportunity that presents itself.
Whenever a door opens, walk through it if you can — take the risk, don’t grow too comfortable where you are. When you have a can-do attitude, people seek you out.
I also think the first step to the C-suite is [surprisingly] not aspiring to become an executive. People often aspire to the title, rather than to the journey. I’ve found it is more valuable to ask yourself, ‘What job am I going to progress to next? In what ways will I excel?’ ”
— Kathryn Raethel, president and CEO of Adventist Health Castle, based in Hawaii, as quoted in TheLadders.com |
| | Meditations
"Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her and she will keep you; love her and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight." — Proverbs 4:5-7, English Standard Version |
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| | AWL's Prayer Circle This month we are praying for: |
| Libna Stevens Assistant Director of Communication Inter-American Division
Raylene Jones Human Resources Director and Executive Administrative Assistant Mid-America Union Conference |
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| AWL is a community of women affirming, encouraging and celebrating God's goodness to those He has called to lead. |
| AWL Committee: Bonita Shields, chair; Celeste Ryan Blyden, secretary/director; Natalie Boonstra, Brenda Dickerson, Carolyn R. Forrest, Tamyra Horst, Natalia Lopez-Thismon and Ann Roda AWL Support Team: Michele Joseph, managing editor; Carla Conway, graphic designer; Frenita Buddy Fullwood, event coordinator |
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