We all have heroes in our lives - women and men who inspire us and whose passion for creating positive change takes us to another level of our own commitment and vision.
Anita Roddick was like that for me, as she was for millions of women throughout the world. This planet has had a light turned off this week with the sad passing of one of the most inspirational women of the modern age, Dame Anita Roddick, DBE.
She initiated and supported so many causes and pioneered so much new thinking through her business Body Shop that it is impossible to list them all. She was also responsible, together with her husband Gordon, for funding charities and initiatives that have helped people all over the world.
I was privileged to work with her at various times over the last twenty years or so and she was always supportive of the women's initiatives I was involved in. She put the resources of the Body Shop behind "What Women Want", the women's festival I held in London in '95; gave me a wonderful quote for The SEED Handbook before she even read it and agreed to be the first person I interviewed for Frankly Speaking, my radio show on Viva, the women's radio station I chaired in the early 90's.
She showed us women how we too can create a positive effect on human rights, particularly for women and children, the environment and socially responsible business practices. She was an example to us on how to live life to the full, be authentic and walk our talk!
Writing this has inspired me to mention a few other of my heroes - incredible women who live their lives to the fullest, committed, like Anita, to changing the world to a better place. Women I am proud to call my friends.
Sue Lloyd-Roberts, the BBC human rights reporter who this week presented an extraordinary report on Newsnight, that tells the truth to the world of the terrible things that are happening in Zimbabwe under its despot leader Robert Mugabe. Despite the BBC being banned from the country, she managed at great personal risk to get in and secretly film many of the desperately poor and hungry people suffering there right now.
Katharine Hamnett, ethical fashion designer and my first client in my PR agency. After many years of campaigning for organic cotton, she now has her own organic cotton collection in Tesco and is working directly with farmers in Africa, ensuring that they receive fair payment for their cotton crop. Featured in The SEED Handbook www.katharinehamnett.com
Priscilla Higham, founder of women's grassroots network, African Solutions for African Problems. Helping rural and township women leaders all over South Africa to educate and care for children from HIV/aids communities..Check out her inspiring website www.africansolutions.org
Camila Batmanghelidjh, Iranian-born founder of Kids Company, caring, supporting and loving thousands of children in danger all over London through her work through schools and communities. www.kidsco.co.uk
Me with Shannon and some of the young Shakti women.
Shannon Thompson, founder of Shakti Rising, San Deigo, California, who works with young women with broken spirits from addiction and abused backgrounds and empowers and heals them the feminine way. www.shaktirising.org
Who are your heroes - famous or not. Please send us their names and some background and we promise to try to include their stories on the SEED Network newsletter and website. And remember, so often what you admire in them are qualities you have inside you so never forget to be your own Hero.
I'm delighted to have been included amongst the women interviewed by author and social campaigner Zerbanoo Gifford in her new book, Confessions to a Serial Womaniser: Secrets of the World's Inspirational Women, launching this Thursday, 20th September at London's National Portrait Gallery.
Zerbanoo has completed the epic challenge of meeting and documenting the lives and careers of hundreds of inspirational women, from 60 countries and every field of endeavour. Women, to quote her words, who have excelled whether it be in business or government, the arts or science, academia or religion.
The women have been captured in a set of specially commissioned portraits by the artist Jeroo Roy, Women - a world of inspiration. The 208 paintings will go on view at the National Portrait Gallery from 17th September 2007 for one week and then go on a national and international tour. To find out details of the tour and where to find the book, the proceeds of which will be going to charity, click here www.asha-foundation.org/women
Another important book being launched this week is Choices and Illusions by Eldon Taylor. Supported by a team of world leaders in conscious living including Deepak Chopra, Barabara de Angelis, Louise Hay, Joan Borysenko, Michael Beckwith, JZ Knight (Ramtha), John Assaraf and Lynne McTaggart , Choices and Illusions shows you how to break out of your confining set of beliefs that keep you repeating the same patterns over and over again.
Together with Eldon Taylor, these and others have dedicated their lives to helping others achieve their highest potential in life. I am delighted to have joined them in offering a special gift when you order this book. Amongst all the bonus gifts valued at over one thousand dollars, you will also receive my e-book of Taking Off The Mask from GROW, The Modern WomanÕs Handbook, also published by Hay House. Find out more: www.innertalk.com/hayhousepromos/etaylor/091807email/index.html
SEED EXPERIENCE DAY
Women in action at SEED Experience Day last weekend, Oxford.
After a truly wonderful SEED Experience Day last Sunday in The Abbey in Oxfordshire, we are now planning our next one on Sunday, October 14th at the Amnesty International Building in Shoreditch. Contact
kim@seednetwork.com
for more details. Read what some of the women felt at the end of the day yesterday:
"I came not knowing what it was all about and left knowing not only what it was all about but what I want for the rest of my life". Emma Walton
"Once again, an experience with Lynne has helped me further clarify my dream, vision and purpose". Tip Moore
"A magical day. Having the freedom to say what I felt in a room full of women who were strangers by the beginning of the day and friends by the end." Nicky Marks
"The power and magic of a room full of inspiring women is phenomenal. It really proves that women can fulfil and be fulfilled". Sue Donnelly
SEED COACHING
Our circle of SEED Coaches training together, starting the weekend of October 18th is growing. This unique and exclusive programme will bring both personal and professional benefits - find out more.
BLOOM RETREAT
There are just a few places left on the next BLOOM Women's Creative Leadership Retreat in my beautiful home in Deia, Mallorca in November. Join me in this stunning environment for a week of powerfull inner work combined with joyful, creative processes that will change your life for ever. Click here to learn more.
FEEL GOOD SHOW
Finally I will be speaking in Brighton at the Feel Good Show at Brighton Race Course On Sunday, October 7th between 2-3. Do come and see me. Visit Star Communities for more information.
