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« Older Entries Newer Entries »President Obama & Women: Remarkable Achievements
Friday, May 18th, 2012
On the day that President Obama took office he signed the Lilly Ledbetter bill, ensuring equal pay for women. This was only the beginning of what has become an unprecedented track record of accomplishments for women. Further, he established the Equal Pay Task Force to enhance enforcement of equal pay laws, increased the participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and signed into law the Affordable Care Act so that “being a woman is no longer considered a pre-existing condition.” This Act prevents insurance companies from discriminating based on gender and provides women with preventive services without co-pays or deductibles, including maternity screenings, mammograms, birth control (as of August 1), and well-woman visits. His defense of Planned Parenthood is unwavering.
Our President appointed two women, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, as Supreme Court Justices and sought out key women leaders for such roles as Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Secretary of Health and Welfare, Katherine Sibelius. Through the US National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, women are integrated into all aspects of foreign policy, global health systems, combating violence against women and promoting economic opportunity.
In addition to promoting equal pay and fighting pay discrimination, President Obama has worked to provide tax credits for working families, support for women entrepreneurs and businesses, workplace flexibility, fair labor standards for in-home care workers, and an American Jobs initiative designed to open job opportunities in all arenas.
Educational opportunities have been expanded for women and families through access to Head Start for more than 60,000 more children, redesigning “No Child Left Behind” to provide both incentives and standards for growth, and maintaining maximum Pell Grant awards. The newly-established White House Council on Women and Girls works continually to bring equality and opportunities to women in every field.
President Obama has personally benefitted from the support and sensitivity that extraordinary women provide: his grandmother, mother, wife and now two daughters. In early 2010, the President assured us that “I didn’t run for President so that the dreams of our daughters could be deferred or denied.” He has kept that promise. As a woman who is preparing to vote in her 14th presidential election, I am pleased to vote for the person who has—more than any other President—helped to pave the way forward for women and girls for decades to come.
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Italy, here we come….
Sunday, April 15th, 2012
Italy is our favorite place in the world! Well, one of them. Sea Ranch is great; Egypt is exotic. Paris is a moveable feast. We’re going to Italy for a party for my second novel in a trilogy, Etruscan Evenings, at the Il Pero villa, hosted by owners Baroness Miranda and Baron William Baron. The book talk event is scheduled for April 28. My brother, Zane, and his wife, Janet, will be there, as will our grandson, Jered, and friends from Gualala, Taos, Santa Fe, and Denver.
The last time we were in Italy was to do research for Etruscan Evenings, a historical novel that has met with great reviews since its release in 2011. We followed the Etruscan citystates described by D. H. Lawrence. Most importantly, we met fascinating individuals who were essential to the investigation, many of whom allowed me to involve them as characters in the novel. How generous and courageous! And, they are expected at the party.
While in Italy we’ll visit Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento, Florence, Rome, and the villages of Tuscany. Ideas for great restaurants? Sites? Let us know.
Linda
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The Constructivist Leader, 3rd Edition
Sunday, April 15th, 2012
A few months ago I wrote that the authors of The Constructivist Leader, first and second editions, were considering a third edition. We now have the go ahead for this “classic text,” in the words of one of the reviewers. When the first edition was published by Teachers College Press in 1995, it became an immediate best-seller. Why? We think because it reframed the rusty notion of leadership, separating it from role, position and formal power, and situating it into the collaborating and reciprocal construction of shared meaning and purpose in community. After centuries of dominance, colonization, and compliance, many found this a breath of fresh air.
We now are interested in updating the examples in the book–of schools, districts, organizations, foundations, national policy. If you would like to recommend the work of outstanding educators, we would be very appreciative.
In the meantime, stay tuned. Next entry: travels to Italy for the release of Etruscan Evenings.
Thanks, Linda
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Kateri, first Indian Saint
Friday, January 6th, 2012
I can’t believe that it has been two months since I’ve written on my blog! Several events and pleasures have gotten in the way…the holidays, preparing a prospectus for the third edition of The Constructivist Leader, inertia, spending time with my new novel set in Taos, family, the magnetism of the sunlight on the ocean….
Yet, on December 20, friend, artist and writer, Giovanna Paponetti, inspired me to action with the announcement that the Pope has approved the cannonization of Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indian saint. Taos resident Giovanna is the author of “Kateri Tekakwitha, Native American Saint: The Life and Miracles of Kateri Tekakwitha,” the book that provoked the Vatican to act 30 years after Kateri was beautified (the last step before Sainthood). And, more than 400 years since Kateri had died. They awaited the confirmation of a third miracle, which came in the form of a young Indian boy.
Both Giovanna and Kateri are characters in my Taos novel, so of course, I find their adventures are fascinating. I would urge you to order Giovanna’s book and discover for yourself the mysteries of Kateri and talents of Giovanna.
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Literature and Leadership—do they still relate?
Sunday, November 6th, 2011
Human beings think, perceive, imagine and make moral choices
According to narrative structures.
Theodore Sarbin, Narrative Psychology, as quoted by Joanne Cooper in The Constructivist Leader
When I began to write fiction, I altered my web site from a singular focus on Leadership to “Literature and Leadership.” Since then, my posts have most often focused on one or the other—and, sometimes a blend of the two. Mary Gardner and I (with the assistance of our friend Maxine Greene) realized some time ago that “imagination” provokes and deepens compassion and empathy. Our imagination expresses itself in so many ways, especially through art and literature, creativity and innovation (see this lengthy discussion in our Women’s Ways of Leading). Clearly—without question—imagination is a nearly magical connection between leadership and literature. And, compassion and empathy ought to be our political litmus test.
A second critical bridge that links literature and leadership is the nature of narrative. By “narrative,” I mean here a written account of connected events—a story. Joanne Cooper has reminded us that stories express and remind us of who we are—they give meaning to our lives and contain the meanings of our histories. Yet stories are fluid, open to reinterpretation as we mature. Stories contain our metaphors of self. No group of peoples understand this better than Native Americans. Fortunately, Joanne and Mary will be contributing to the third edition of The Constructivist Leader.
Imagination and narrative—at this moment these two concepts stand out as essential links between literature and leadership. What do you think?
Linda
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The Constructivist Leader Redux
Sunday, October 30th, 2011
When the first edition of The Constructivist Leader was published by Teachers College Press, Columbia, it became a best-seller, used by top universities around the world. Why? This text proposed a new view of leadership that challenged centuries of tradition: leadership as interchangeable with leader; leadership as position and role of an individual with formal authority. The Constructivist Leader suggested that leadership was larger than leader and not a function of position and role. Leadership transcends formal authority to become a broader function of learning and culture: leadership as “reciprocal, purposeful learning in community.” Such learning is constructivist, rather than behaviorist, in nature.
In 2002, The Constructivist Leader, 2nd edition, was published smack in the early years of “No Child Left Behind.” As predicted, NCLB ushered in a sad decade predicated on testing in which our children became less educated, less inspired, less thoughtful.
Now, we have been asked to write a third edition. This edition promises to set straight the challenges to schooling, bringing constructivist learning and leading back into the limelight and into the schools. Once again we can resume our mission to create achieving and sustainable schools inhabited by children and adults who are critical and creative thinkers, problem-solvers, and responsible citizens.
Co-authors Deborah Walker, Diane Zimmerman, Joanne Cooper, Mary e Gardner and Morgan Lambert will be joined by remarkable educators Elizabeth Reilly, Linda Henke, Julie Biddle and Jan Huls-Nuno. If any of you have been pursuing this work in constructivist leadership, we would like to hear from you. E-mail me at Linlambert@aol.com. We’ll keep you informed as we move forward.
Next: Home again—what I’ve learned about literature and leadership. Linda
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Emerging Themes: Taos: Song of the Loom
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
When we left Taos last Friday, these questions and themes came along:
- What will anthropologist Justine Jenner, now entering the third novel in the Cairo Trilogy, find out about DH Lawrence that will inform her own sense of identity?
- How will conversations among key Taos characters, including Lawrence, Mabel Dodge Luhan, Frieda Lawrence, Carl Jung and Lady Dorothy Brett, set in the ‘20’s and ‘40’s, tell us about today’s realities?
- Can the case of the long-lost Lawrence will be revived in New Mexico—only if he had signed the deed for the Ranch that Mabel gave to his wife, Frieda? Did he?
- When Justine assumes her new job with the NM Office of Archaeological Studies, can she and her new boss find out: “How do we see Community?” And what does this have to say about the diverse Taos community and the thousand-year-old Pueblo?
- Did the peoples of the Four Corners, including Mesa Verde, migrate to the massive and long-abandoned Hupobi Pueblo?
- How will the Taos Pueblo Indians—the Red Willow peoples—influence Justine’s emerging spirituality?
- What struggles with the environment will challenge Justine’s strength and confidence in the shadow of personal tragedy?
- When a troubled Indian girl whom Justine has mentored nearly dies, can she be saved by the first Indian saint, Kateri Tekakwitha (who is yet to be canonized)?
- Will Amir El Shabry, Justine’s lover from Etruscan Evenings, survive the Egyptian revolution? And what does Egypt have to do with Taos anyway?
- How will the contextual issues of the history of Taos, drought, competition for water, suffering economy and the suffering art community inform this novel?
And much more….
Next: The Constructivist Leader redux, Linda
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Larger than Chaco? Really? Hupobi Pueblo near Ojo Caliente
Monday, October 24th, 2011
Last Wednesday, we drove from Taos to Pilar through the incredibly enchanting Rio Grande valley smothered with golden cottonwoods to the Pueblo site near Ojo Caliente hot springs. As we approached the last leg of the trip to the giant plateau, we found that what was once a road was now a river. A river—ok, more like a wide, rapidly moving stream—that we would have to cross on foot. All of us.
Once there, archaeologist Paulo, Carmen, Hannah and I met four teachers and 50 seventh graders from Santa Fe who were nearly gleeful to forge a river on foot. I was less than enthusiastic, but soon became preoccupied with the mountain of loose rocks that lay between us and the giant plateau pueblo—larger than Chaco Canyon! My concerns about crossing the river gave way to my trepidation about that perilous mountain. I find it personally amazing what one can do when l) there is no choice, and 2) I had a walking stick. The kids scrambled through the icy water, yelping as they went. They were inspiring! This was an adventure to be had, mysteries to be encountered—yet perhaps never to be solved.
As we topped the mesa, the most glorious site lay before us: the layout of a massive pueblo protruding through the soil like muscles rising through a wet tee shirt. A yawning indentation of a massive kiva. Just beyond, over the ledge of the once-village, the Rio Ojo Caliente snaked through the luxurious valley below. The kids swarmed over the land picking up chards of pottery, black on white (making sure to replace them carefully). On a higher hill still, the stone frames for dry farming punctuated the land (why didn’t they plant near the river? Security concerns?) .
On the south ledge of the plateau, multiple petroglyphs covered huge stones. Unlike anything I’d seen before: stars in all sizes and shapes. A few years ago, a woman archaeologist camped out here and discovered that the site aims directly at Venus, perhaps the inspiration for the designs. Most things make sense if we look hard enough…right?
Of course the most compelling questions for any abandoned pueblo, city, or land are: where did the inhabitants come from and why did they leave? Apparently, these industrious peoples came in the late 1100’s and left around 1500, probably when disease ravished the tribe (multiple burials during a certain period are excessive). Paulo believes that they came from the four corners: Mesa Verde and Chaco. If so—and if this could be more nearly proven—it could resolve one of the most mystifying issues of archaeology. The timing, pottery, location and dry farming could suggest as much. How to find out?
A glorious day!
Next: emerging themes in the Taos research….Linda
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Community Leadership-Implications for Native Americans
Friday, October 21st, 2011
We have been discussing community leadership with an archeologist friend, Jeff, here in Taos. One compelling issue is how different forms of authority relate to community effectiveness and sustainability, particularly among Native American communities that exist as well as those that no longer exist. Jeff pointed out other features, such as size and structure, that influence how authority is distributed and used.
Formal authority is derived from position or role, usually delegated by a ruling group, tradition, inheritance, policy or law. Formal authority is not necessarily wielded by one with competence or expertise. Pueblos and other Indian communities assign formal authority to men or women, usually one or the other. The Taos Pueblo is strongly patrilineal, although there are a remarkable number of powerful women there.
Informal authority, on the other hand, is derived from expertise/competence, credentials, force of persona through individual power, extraordinary performance (or act of bravery or unique leadership), and inventiveness. Informal authority is related to effective leadership, often obtained by women, especially when they are not part of the formal authority structure. Men and women who possess both forms of authority are usually thought to be leaders.
The dynamic between formal and informal authority creates the strength and effectiveness of community leadership. This dynamic may involve mutual or reciprocal support, problem solving, pressure, conflict resolution, shared expertise and mutual respect. When individuals possess both forms of authority, they might be thought of as “charismatic leaders.” If such a leader has the foresight to build leadership capacity (broad based, skillful participation in the work of leadership) among its members, this community can become powerful, innovative, effective and sustainable. If an individual uses directive, authoritarian tactics, communities often shrivel and die when that leader dies or falls from grace.
How might we “see” such communities? What “proxies” for communities exist?
• continuity, longevity, sustainability (still in existence);
• structures with particular durability indicating unique inventive construction;
• products (e.g. pottery) and tools that involve multiple steps (three or more);
• products from multiple traditions indicating assimilation (e.g. similar pottery or farming practices);
• burial practices that involve a return to the community over multiple generations.
Other ideas…?
Next: A journey to the abandoned Hupobi Pueblo near Ojo Caliente—larger than Chaco!
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BBC in Taos
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
As I’ve noted before, while DH Lawrence left Taos, New Mexico, 86 years ago, he is still very much alive here. His spirit permeates the mystical Taos; many live here because he is also here. Last fall, BBC was in town to create a documentary on Lawrence in Taos. They were joined by British playwright, Stephen Lowe, whose play, “Empty Bed Blues,” about Lawrence’s days in Paris, was being performed in Santa Fe.
This fall, BBC are here again, this time to create a radio show on “Lawrence in Taos” to be aired November 4. On Saturday, October 1, five Laurentians (including myself) met at the home of scholar and Moby Dickens bookstore owner, Art Bachrach, for a conversation that lasted more than two hours. The most intriguing aspects of the conversation grew out of three prime questions: 1) “What did Lawrence find in Taos that he found nowhere else?” 2) “Why is his spirit still alive here?” and 3) “Why does it matter?” On the following Wednesday, Morgan and I joined the BBC producer, author Geoff Dyer, and Bill Haller, president of the Friends of DH Lawrence at the Lawrence ranch for a few more hours of recording. The broadcast will only be 50 minutes long—quite an editing feat!
Next: Exploring the Lawrence Ranch, Hawk Ranch, and Lobo Canyon
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