Good News from Imagine a Woman International: June 1, 2010

This year the Imagine a Woman poem is celebrating its 15th year anniversary with a new website and new programs and opportunities for personal growth and professional enhancement. You're invited to the Launch of the IAW Coach Certification Program, today June 1. Make your professional dreams come true by joining the “Imagine a Woman” Team as a certified Facilitator-Coach. Circle the Globe with IAW and launch, grow, and enhance your woman-empowering coaching business, ministry, therapy practice, agency, or ministry. IAW provides a READY-MADE, READY-TO-GO “Imagine a Woman” NICHE for you at http://www.imagineawoman.com/.

Imagine a Woman

Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman.
A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories.
Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.

Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself.
A woman who listens to her needs and desires.
Who meets them with tenderness and grace.

Imagine a woman who acknowledges the past's influence on the present.
A woman who has walked through her past.
Who has healed into the present.

Imagine a woman who authors her own life.
A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf.
Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice.

Imagine a woman who names her own gods.
A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness.
Who designs a personal spirituality to inform her daily life.

Imagine a woman in love with her own body.
A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.
Who celebrates its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.

Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her changing body.
A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.
Who refuses to use her life-energy disguising the changes in her body and life.

Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.
A woman who sits in circles of women.
Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.

Imagine yourself as this woman.
~ Patricia Lynn Reilly

Book Club

Top row left to right Ellen, Michele, Judy, Anne, Janet and Suzanne.

Bottom row left to right Cathy, Darlene, Rita, and Joanie

I "met" with the most lovely group of women this afternoon. The Book Club of Ormond Beach, Florida had read Womankind and one member, a nurse practitioner who coincidentally went to the same nursing school I did, invited me to join them for the discussion. Oh the wonders of the Internet! Thanks ladies! It was most enjoyable!

Make it a great evening!

~Nancy

Baby Monk

Baby Monk
Baby monk with almond eyes,
Do you miss your mother?
Sent so young, so far away,
called to live with others.

Baby Monk with cherry cheeks
Worn rough by air-thin mountain
Family chosen at age three,
blessed yak butter flowing fountain.

Baby monk in crimson drape,
street begging is your earning.
Sandaled feet trudge ancient streets,
prayer wheel clockwise turning.

Baby monk your quiet smile
touches me like no other.
Baby boy with almond eyes,
do you miss your mother?

Nancy Leigh Harless

2007 Llasha, Tibet

Book Club From My Treehouse

I'm looking forward to chatting with a group of women in Florida tomorrow.Isn't this an amazing world that we live in - one where you can sit in your tree house in SE Iowa and be part of a Book Club in Florida, or anywhere for that matter! I look forward to it.

I haven't been writing for a long time now, but am starting to think it's time to get back to it. I've been the ear for so many women, so many stories. It's time to stop being lazy. It's time to be their voice.

Make it great day!

~ Nancy

Friends of The Macomb Library

I'll be speaking tonight at the annual dinner for The Friends of the Macomb Library and reading from Womankind.

I've also recently received a few invitations to attend Book Clubs. Some I'll be able to go in person.; Others, too far away to travel, I'll attend via Skype on the Internet, or on speaker phone.

I absolutely love joining the discussion about the stories of Womankind, so if your club would like to invite me just send an email - womankindconnection@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you!
~ Nancy

The Circle of Women

In every corner of the globe I've sensed “the sisterhood” of women. I've seen women struggle, sometimes against daunting odds. I've seen them nearly break under the weight of their lives. And I've felt an abundance of spirit, of wisdom, and of connection with these very women. Ordinary women who live with extraordinary grace. We've laughed together. We've cried. Through the sharing of her everyday story, each woman’s life has been validated and my own profoundly enriched. For the honor of being an ear for so many women, so many stories, I am deeply grateful.

This year as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the “Imagine a Woman’ poem. It too has circled the globe, since 1995, inspiring women wherever it goes. This year Imagine a Woman International is celebrating the poem's 15th year anniversary with a new website and new programs and opportunities. You're invited to the "Imagine a Woman" poem's 15th Birthday Party TODAY APRIL 2, and throughout the month of April, at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=wjoygpdab.0.0.npzhx8bab.0&p=http://www.imagineAwoman.com&id=preview. I am a proud Launch Partner, and my book is featured at the Imagine a Woman website.
Imagine circles of women all over the world. Imagine Crouching over an open fire near the Guatemalan border while Cecelia teaches the significance of making the small tortilla. Sitting under a cashew tree in Belize on a quiet rainforest afternoon, answering the young Mayan mother's question: "How can we make no more babies come?" Holding Ermine in your arms in a courtyard amid the children and chickens, weeping with her as she shares her poignant story of war. These are a few of the women of my book……Womankind Connection & Wisdom around the World. The women of “Womankind” congratulate Imagine a Women International today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Namiste,

~ Nancy

IMAGINE a WOMAN

Since 1995, the "Imagine a Woman" poem has circled the globe, inspiring books, screenplays, videos, life transitions, professional portfolios, ministries, coaching practices, relationships, virtual communities, social networks, and organizational missions. This year Imagine a Woman International is celebrating the poem's 15th year anniversary with a new website and new programs and opportunities for personal growth and professional enhancement. You're invited to the "Imagine a Woman" poem's 15th Birthday Party TODAY APRIL 2 at http://www.imagineawoman.com/. We'll be partying all day so get your party clothes on, invite your friends, and come on over.

ONE NURSE at a TIME

Remember when I told you that while I was "story gathering" for Kaplan Publishing's upcoming anthology, Caring Beyond Borders I met a spunky nurse, Sue Averill, who works half the time internationally; the other half as an ER nurse in Seattle, Washington? Sue and her friend, Stacy Kelly formed the organization One Nurse at a Time. What a concept! It is a non profit created by these two nurses who are passionate about giving back to their local and global community through volunteer and humanitarian medical pursuits. They are dedicated to assisting other nurses enhance their profession as they too, look for opportunities to serve locally, nationally and internationally. And now I've been invited (well the truth is I sort of 'invited myself in' to be on the board of One Nurse at a Time! I look forward to helping raise awareness of what we nurses can do to change the world.

Last Book Event This Year

In Des Moines This Week

I'm in Des Moines this week to speak at the INPA Annual conference about "WOMANKIND." Nurses are a group that are particularly interested in the women's stories and I'm finding many who are interested in volunteering abroad.

"The Iowa Association of Nurse Practitioners (IANP) is a professional organization for advanced registered nurse practitioners who advocate for and deliver health care to children and families in a variety of settings. IANP promotes the role of the advanced practice nurse through leadership, legislative activities, and continuing education.
Established in 1975, the IANP is a professional organization to assist the Nurse Practitioner in improving the quality of health care delivered to clients. The organization believes professional growth is essential for maintaining competent practice. To achieve this goal, the IANP provides continuing education programs, works toward collaboration with other organizations and supports legislation as it relates to Nurse Practitioners. The IANP is a chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). All Nurse Practitioners are welcome." (Taken from the website http://www.iowaanp.org/ )

WOMANKIND is available all all your favorites bookstores and book sellers on-line. Email me at womankindconnection@gmail to arrange a book event or to invite me to visit your book club. My Fall schedule is filling up fast. Email today!

One Nurse at a Time

While "story gathering" for Kaplan Publishing's upcoming, Caring Beyond Borders I met a spunky nurse, Sue Averill, who works half the time internationally; the other half as an ER nurse in Seattle, Washington. Sue and her friend, Stacy Kelly formed the organization One Nurse at a Time. What a concept! It is a non profit created by these two nurses who are passionate about giving back to their local and global community through volunteer and humanitarian medical pursuits. They are dedicated to assisting other nurses enhance their profession as they too, look for opportunities to serve locally, nationally and internationally.

You really must check out their website and email Sue and Stacy with your questions. The website is www.onenurseatatime.org Check it out! It's a very worthwhile place to put your donationsdollars to work to do something good.

Slideshow from San Miguel de Allende

Press Release !

Wever, Iowa nurse practitioner Nancy Leigh Harless’s story, “In God’s Palm,” has been included in the latest anthology, New Lives. published by Kaplan, a publisher of a broad range of educational and consumer books by and for healthcare providers. The book, New Lives is a compilation of stories from real nurses -- Stories about babies during their first year of life can be the most inspiring, touching, and heartbreaking tales. Nurses who care for these littlest of people collect multitudes of stories that touch the hearts of everyone, from those in nursing to anyone who simply enjoys stories of hope and inspiration. New Lives contains these stories in fascinating first-person narratives. All types of nurses, from hospitals, private practices, and in-home health care, tell their stories about the babies they’ve delivered and cared for. In turns joyous, humorous, and heartbreaking, these neonatal and prenatal nurses, midwives, labor and delivery nurses, pediatric nurses, and others share what it’s like to care for these small wonders at the very start of their lives. Edited and introduced by a registered nurse, this collection of stories will be treasured by those who love stories of survival.

How Sweet It Is by Alice J. Wisler

Working Beyond Borders

It's been almost nice years since I worked on a Maternal Child team in Kosovo, post the Balkan War. Memories of these proud young people working to rebuild their lives and their country are among my fondest memories.

Do you have a story about working abroad? I would love to read it. Send it to me at beyondborders@lives.com for consideration in the anthology, Beyond Borders: Nurses Stories About Working Abroad.

Beyond Borders - A Call Out for Stories

This is the book I am presently working on with Kaplan Publishing. Kaplan wants nurses from all over the world to reveal what it’s like to practice nursing outside of your home countries. Whether confronted with unfamiliar cultural norms, new medical language, or greater or fewer resources than you would experience at home, your story will open a window into the commonalities and cultural differences in how the art and science of nursing is practiced around the globe.
Do you have a story to share? If so please email it to me at beyondborders@live.com. And if you don't have a story, but know a nurse who does - please share this information with her or him.
Thanks! I look forward to reading many tales from the art and science of nursing around the world. I look forward to reading YOURS!
~ Nancy

INTERNATIONAL WOMAN'S DAY

I shortened it a bit, but the following is an article taken from www.internationalwomansday.com

International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.
1908 -Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
1909 - In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February.
1910 - A second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named a Clara Zetkin tabled the idea of an International Women's Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day - a Women's Day - to press for their demands with unanimous approval International Women's Day was the result.
1911 - International Women's Day was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.More than one million women and men attended rallies .However, less than a week later on 25 March, the tragic 'Triangle Fire' in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events.
1913-1914 On the eve of World War I campaigning for peace, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February 1913
1917 - On the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.
1918 – 1999 - Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike . 1975 March 8th was designated as 'International Women's Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world.
2000 and beyond - IWD is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. But, the unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men. However, great improvements have been made.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world. So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.
Make it a great day! ~ Nancy

Nursing in Australia

While sending out 'Calls for Nurses Stories," via the Internet I 'met' the nicest woman - Charmaine Hernadez. Charmaine is originally from the Philippines, now an Australian citizen helping nurses from the Philippines, and other countries, to get their licenses to work in health care.

Charmaine shared with me that many nurses immigrate to the USA to find work, then find challenges obtaining a nursing license or a 'green card' to allow them to work. Not so in Australia. I would like to help Charmaine 'spread the word,' so I'm posting an excerpt from her note to me in hopes that YOU too will help 'spread the word."

From Charmaine - "We want to spread the word out there that you don't have to go to another country and work illegally. Unlike the US education system that governs Intl Students, Australia offers International Students not only their study rights, but LEGAL working rights for them and their dependents to enter the country.Applying for permanent residency and citizenship processing is quicker or less time compared to the US."
Go to www.aucec.com.au for the details.

Carpe diem! ~ Nancy

No Hesitation Here

One huge difference I noted on my recent visit to India when compared to other countries that I've visited is how readily the mothers are to have their children photographed by this white-skinned-granny from across the ocean. I didn't get turned down a single time when I asked for 'one snap please ?' And, they certainly DO have beautiful children!

Home and Back At It !

India was wonderful - a truly amazing, colorful country full of contradictions. Modern cities - frenetic with activity and then a camel prods down the middle of the highway; women dress to the nines in modern western wear, or gift wrapped in beautiful silk sari's - that amazing 9 yards body drape. My sister and I enjoyed all the sights, sounds and smells we could take in and found we feel especially in love with southern India where the pace is slower, the crowds smaller and smog non-existent. Photos to follow of the lovely Indian women and children. Soon!

On the Mend & the Move !

My step-daughter, Mary, called this evening concerned because she had read on my blog that my shingles had really gotten me down. Sweet women - she was concerned because she's been through Trigeminal nerve pain and empathizes. Her call made me realize that I haven't updated here for a long time.

So, know that I'm on the mend! I still hurt, but not like I did and it gets better every week. And, in answer to the other question I've been getting asked often - YES, I'm still going to India - shingles be d--med, saber-rattling be da--med. I am going to India and will be there to celebrate my birthday!

For those who check this blog and would like to follow my India adventure with my sister , you can join us at wwwpostcardsfromindia.blogspot.com Don't put a period after the www, or you'll end up at some else's blog!

Womankind promotion remains on the back-burner. I am co-editing an anthology of stories gleaned from healthcare providers' experiences working in disaster areas. It fills every spare minute until I leave. My co-editor, Kerry Ann Morris of Kingston, Jamaica will take care of it all while I'm traveling.

So, I'm on the mend and on the move and looking forward to yet another grand adventure.

WOMANKIND for Christmas

Don't forget if you'd like signed copies of Womankind mailed to you for Christmas gifts be sure to get your order to me by December 18th!

Chicken Soup Re-Heated

I recently heard from the Chicken Soup folks that three of my stories have been chosen to be included in a new series they are putting out in large print, 'for the older folks.' I can't decide if this is a compliment....or if it's like being offered the 'Senior discount' at Hardy's for my coffee.