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Female Ethical Leadership
By Melanie Lasoff Levs

Female Ethical Leaders

By analyzing the basic principles of most religions, the founders of the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership have come up with seven core values of ethical leaders. PINK asked Wende Jager-Hyman, executive director of Woodhull, to identify women – modern or historical – who personify each of the principles. Below are her and PINK's combined responses:

1. Honesty. While attending Yale University in 1983, Naomi Wolf, Woodhull founder, fellow, board member and author, says she was sexually harassed. For 22 years, she kept it quiet. Finally, in a 2004 article in New York magazine called "The Silent Treatment," Wolf shared what happened. She felt compelled to talk about her experience frankly and openly in the hope that the Yale administration would develop adequate channels for addressing sexual harassment complaints today. She revealed her painful experience in a forthright and honest manner, understanding that she would be criticized for naming a well-respected scholar and member of the Yale faculty as the perpetrator. Yet Wolf chose to try to help future generations of students rather than remain silent any longer.

2. Respect. Wilma Mankiller is the first female to lead a major Native American tribe, the Cherokee. Her candidacy was passionately opposed by a large contingency not willing to be led by a woman. During the campaign in the early 1980s, she received death threats. She rose to the challenge, proved her worthiness and was elected in 1985. Her leadership skills have won her the admiration of the Cherokee Nation, and she has worked hard to bring self-sufficiency to her people. (Read an exclusive interview with Chief Mankiller in the August.September issue of PINK.)

3. Charity/Philanthropy.During her life – and through the example set by her parents – Andrea Bronfman dedicated herself to philanthropic causes throughout the world. In 1986 she and her husband, Charles Bronfman, head of the Seagram's liquor corporation, created The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, which has supported causes such as Birthright Israel and other initiatives in Jewish education and the arts. After September 11th, Andrea Bronfman created The Gift of New York, which has provided thousands of families affected by the tragedy free tickets to New York offerings such as Broadway shows, baseball and hockey games, and museums. Sadly, in January 2006 at age 60, she was hit by a car and killed near her Manhattan home. She is now buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

4. Integrity. Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay, is one of the top business leaders in the country whose company is changing the face of e-commerce and technology every day. She has overseen eBay's expansion and kept the company profitable while keeping critics and competitors at bay. Though bizarre items have popped up on eBay since its inception in 1995, Whitman has created a network of managers that works diligently to remove inappropriate and offensive listings, thereby maintaining the integrity of the site – and the company. Whitman has also ensured the company's commitment to community through the creation of The eBay Foundation.

5. Justice. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has, at great personal risk, championed the cause of freedom for Burma for decades. She had been under house arrest for two years – which became six – when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Daughter of Burmese leader General Aung San, who was assassinated in 1947, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has taken up the cause for democracy in her native country. She speaks out without fear. She works within – and despite – government entities and other organizations for her people, helping ensure they are treated fairly as citizens.

6. Compassion. Diana, Princess of Wales, caught in the dream of being a fairy tale princess, was faced with the reality of deception, infidelity, bulimia and public humiliation. Yet the late princess still found the strength to reach out to the most needy. From Africa to Asia, from Europe to South America, she treated all those she met with compassion and championed their causes, shining the world's spotlight on their plights. Her work on HIV/AIDS and land mines has led to governmental investment and has saved countless lives.

7. Courage. Victoria Woodhull, for whom the Institute is named, was a 19th century feminist who was ahead of her time. She was the first woman stockbroker on Wall Street, the first woman to produce her own newspaper and the first woman to run for president of the United States – even though women did not yet have the right to vote. She spoke frankly of the need for women to take control of their reproductive lives and health. Even her language differed sharply from that of her well-meaning sisters in the suffrage movement. Where they were often circuitous and genteel, Woodhull had no patience for mincing words. Addressing a women's rights convention in 1871, she said, "We are plotting a revolution; we will overslaugh this bogus republic and plant a government of righteousness in its stead." Every speech was similarly ablaze with bold honesty as she savagely criticized the Victorian hypocrisies and political inequities that suffocated the human spirit and stifled women's contributions to the world.

One Woodhull Woman: My Retreat Experience

By Melanie Lasoff Levs

Wide open spaces can make me claustrophobic.

Sure, it seems counterintuitive. Perhaps, though, I might perceive so much space as emptiness. It is so vast and has so much possibility that it becomes overwhelming and, therefore, scary. When things are crowded together, bustling and noisy, it's easy to be distracted. It's easy to focus on what is there rather than what is not but should be.

I came to this conclusion last summer when I participated in a five-day young women's retreat at the Woodhull Institute of Ethical Leadership. Surrounded by little but grassy meadows, trees, hills and bird noises, many of the dozen women who participated had similar epiphanies. We knew we weren't there for a group therapy or bonding session. We were at this cozy colonial-style house on 100 lush acres in the Berkshire Mountains for lessons in leadership, service and community. What we left with were lessons in life.

Most of Woodhull's retreats throughout the year take place on weekends – three days crammed with discussions, lectures and workshops. The five-day is a luxury: 12 modules covering such topics as ethical leadership and ethical dilemmas, voice, civic responsibility, conflict resolution, nutrition and diversity are interspersed with hikes on the property, rap sessions and even an afternoon at a nearby state park. It was there, at the park, that I had my "wide open spaces" thought. I sat on a rock absorbing everything I had learned already and, brimming with the enormity of it all, realized how much I could do with the information.

For example, I learned that ethical leadership is "the compassionate use of power." The word "power" has such negative connotations, particularly for women. To me, ethical leadership means that when we recognize our power and truly embrace it, we then must respect it and, therefore, respect others and help them achieve their own power. Power can be used for good, but the key is not to be afraid of it.

At Woodhull, we were also taught not to be afraid of applause. Women have a tendency to act cute or deflect such praise. What about standing there, accepting it, being grateful for it? You don't realize how hard it is to acknowledge something as simple as hands clapping together for you until you're forced to stand there uncomfortably before the room, taking it all in. Gradually, we each became more at ease, but I don't know if any of us left truly enjoying it – yet. Is it because we don't feel we deserve it? At Woodhull, we learned that we do.

We deserve it when we speak up with our external voice and when we learn to appreciate and honor our inner one. We deserve it when we negotiate respectfully as a good listener. We deserve it when we practice our civic responsibility and educate ourselves as voters. We deserve it when we take control of our finances and our bodies. And we deserve it when we support each other and create a community for the next generation.