Here’s a good definition of a changemaker: They are people of any age, race, gender, culture and cognitive diversity, taking passionate, empathetic, creative action to solve a social problem. Changemakers are everywhere in the world. They are the ones who say as Martin Luther did (1483-1546),”Here I stand, I can do no other, God help me. Amen!”
From Fast Company, (08.04.16) “Changemakers are school children in Haiti creating new traffic safety systems, and Nobel Peace Prize winners bringing banking to Bangladesh and fighting for child rights in India.” Bringing it even more to the present. African Americans, women and teens are changemakers in the forefront with #blacklivesmatter, #metoo, and #marchforlife for example.
Be a changemaker
“What does it take to want to make a meaningful impact, to be a changemaker?” Consider, that the change begins within. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Then, look for collaborators who share your commitment. What you’ll notice about changemakers, they create teams, people who share their vision.
“I hope you find true meaning, contentment, and passion in your life. I hope you navigate the difficult times and come out with greater strength and resolve. I hope you find whatever balance you seek with your eyes wide open. And I hope that you – yes, you – have the ambition to lean in to your career and run the world. Because the world needs you to change it.”
― Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Here are our changemakers
In Phoenix, AZ on May 17, 2018, four women will receive their Positively Powerful woman Award and be asked, “If you had one message about being a changemaker, what would you most want us to remember? What did it take from you?”
They are Angela Hughey, Equality Leadership. In 2013, Angela, with her ONE Community team, launched The UNITY Pledge. Today, the UNITY Pledge is the largest equality pledge in the nation.
Dr. Pamela Williamson, Visionary Leadership, and her team have generated over 100,000 connections between certified WBEs and Corporations across the nation. She’s President and CEO of WBEC-West.
Hong Yee Mei, Education Leadership, Country Manager and Co-founder of Milestone Trainings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Yee Mei has had 20 years of experience in the transformational training industry and was instrumental in building Milestone Trainings from an idea to an organization with nearly 1500 students in 2017.
And Debbie Castaldo, Corporate Leadership, Vice President, Corporate and Community Impact, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Executive Director, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, leads the team’s industry-leading fundraising efforts with charitable contributions exceeding $55 million to non-profit organizations serving at-risk children and families.
