Strong Women

While in the Doha airport, on my way to Australia, I glanced up at the television. The screen rolled from one image to another of the millions of women outfitted with pink knit hats, walking peacefully, celebrating their right to exist in solidarity. When planning my winter holiday, I had no idea what I'd be missing at home. I rarely experience regret, but I'll admit, there is a part of me that wishes my body had been walking with them...not just my spirit.

A couple of days later, Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love and Big Magic, posted a wonderful piece on Facebook. The essence of which championed the movement toward the Divine Feminine in our society. She also shares her perception of the Divine Masculine, and the kind of softening that might support such a manifestation. As Gilbert explains, saying "No" is essential to standing in our divine feminine energy.

Amazingly, I didn't actually miss out on experiencing the strength of women worldwide. I still felt the energy, and I enjoyed every moment - just differently.

About an hour outside of Melbourne, the lovely Moonlit Sanctuary provides homes for many species of Australia's native animals. After hugging and communing with a couple of beautiful dingoes, (I had dingo paws on my lap!), my husband, Mark, and I awaited the start of the koala lecture.

Mark, by nature, is chatty and outgoing. He's the sort of person who can create a bit of conversation with anyone. True to form, Mark caught sight of a man wearing a Batman T-shirt, who spoke with an American accent, and drummed up a quick connection.

Of all people, my husband finds someone with a passion for baseball (I'd rather watch paint dry). The guy, Rob Novotny, was lovely, though. In a career that included being recruited to be a scout in Australia for the Texas Rangers, and holding the title of vice-president of American Women's Baseball, his love of baseball ultimately found him co-creating Champions International. While from the Chicago area, he and his family now live in Australia full time. Rob's two children seemed to be enjoying climbing on the trees, while we shot the breeze at the sanctuary. His adult companion seemed far more interested in the animals (I could relate!), but she did pause long enough for Rob to introduce her. "This is my friend, Jeanie, she used to play baseball."

Immediately a cog in my head clicked into place. Jeanie must have been well into her 70's, if she played baseball...not softball, but baseball...could she be one of the brave women upon whom the film "A League of Their Own" was based? Well, almost, yes! She is featured in the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, NY, for her left-handed pitching on the Grand Rapids Chicks in 1953 and 1954 - the final two years of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (the film focused on the early years).

Now, at 82, after playing both baseball and golf professionally, Jeneane (Jeanie) Lesko supports young women in baseball. She is the assistant coach for Champion International's Aussie Hearts. And, as the website says, "she is the heart and soul of the Aussie Hearts program."

After the Women's March on January 21st, @MichaelSLinden, an economist and contributor to U.S. News & World Report, tweeted: "Really proud to have marched with a future President of the United States today. I don't know who she is, but she was there." I love this. And I believe he's right. Women may find their voice at any age, and once found, it's rarely lost. Jeanie Lesko might not have been marching on the 21st, but she certainly did her part to blaze a path in the 50's, and continues doing so today!

Last month, I mentioned my experience of witnessing Serena Williams win her quarter finals match at the Australian Open. Being in the presence of powerful women is inspiring! Here's the irony, Serena, while extraordinary and a champion beyond belief, shares the spotlight of amazingness in my memory of that day. A

ll the women playing were each dynamic in their own way. One, in particular, literally brought me to tears. In case you missed last month - I've never been a tennis fan. Before this experience, I'd never watched a professional match on television, let alone in person. And when I sat down to my first taste of the game, I held no expectations.

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni after winning the Australian Open quarter finals. Click photo to watch her follow-up interview.

Then, I breathlessly witnessed the sun in human form - with taped legs, and a "whoop-ha" for every swipe at the ball. 34 year old Croatian, Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, won my heart with her brilliance. I don't mean her winning form; I'm talking about her humanity - her vulnerability - her divine feminine. When she won, she looked over to her support box (just a few rows below us), made the sign of the cross, and put her hand to her heart. Moments later, she dropped to her knees, as she cried over her victory. The emotional moment brought me to tears - mirror neurons firing wildly!

Then, during her interview, I learned that the last time she'd gotten this far in a tournament had been 19 years before, when she was 15 years old. In her lifetime, she has lost more than she's won. When asked about her tumultuous career, and what she might say to anyone else struggling, Lucic-Baroni said, "F... everything and everybody, whoever tells you that you can't do it. Just show up and do it with your heart."

And that's what I see every day. I see women learning to say "No" and men learning to "soften...their own egos." I witness my clients and friends showing up doing "it" - whatever "it" may be for them - with their whole hearts, and riding the waves of their own emotions through the storms and the celebrations. Every one of them - of YOU - is amazing to me. I see your strength in your vulnerability, and it inspires me, as nothing else does.

And when I see the men who are willing to lay down their egos, in support of the women in their lives - recognizing and living into the truth - that no gender is superior, I celebrate. I cheer on those men - my husband, in particular, who supports my adventures and growth, even as I challenge his beliefs about gender roles. I thank him, and every man like him, for his softness as discovers and lives into his divine masculine, while cheering on my divine feminine. Just as I thank the many, many woman who have marched before me - and march with me, day by day. It is an honor to be in your presence.

With love and gratitude,
Joanne Lutz