'The Women Are Talking!' Up Close and Personal With Women World Leaders at the 2024 Reykjavk Global Forum
‘The Women Are Talking!’ Up Close and Personal With Women World Leaders at the 2024 Reykjavík Global Forum
PUBLISHED 12/27/2024 by Katie Usalis
Usalis speaks on a panel at Reykjavík Global Forum in November, joined by Rep. Leger Fernandez, Ruby Coleman and Cynthia Richie Terrell. (Courtesy of the Reykjavík Global Forum)
Every November, political and community leaders from around the world bundle up and head to Reykjavík, Iceland, for the annual Reykjavík Global Forum on women’s representation and leadership—a beautifully curated, invitation-only opportunity to discuss our world’s most pressing issues, from a woman’s perspective. This year, I not only had the opportunity to attend but also to sit down for a private conversation with three absolute legends: Mary Robinson, president of Ireland (1990-1997), Dr. Michelle Harrison, CEO of Verian and the Reykjavik Index for Leadership, and Sen. Donna Dasko (Canada). Pull up a chair and join me to hear what these powerhouse women leaders have to say.
Usalis and Robinson in conversation in November. (Courtesy of the Reykjavík Global Forum, via Instagram)
Katie Usalis: Good morning! Thank you all so much for your time. I loved what Halla Tómasdóttir, president of Iceland, had to say this morning in her fireside chat with you, Mary. She said, “We need more men who dare to lead like women.” How do you believe women lead differently?
President Mary Robinson: I’m generalizing, but men can tend to be more hierarchical, very interested in strong power, interested in staying in power. … Women tend to be less hierarchical, more discussing how to reach a practical solution. They are very keen that the leadership will make a difference for others, and there’s more of a sense of servant leadership and not necessarily staying long in office. For example, I didn’t stay a second term because I felt I opened up the office, I’d created much more relevance to the presidency and then handed it over to somebody else to build on.
. . .
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, Cynthia Richie Terrell, Diana Hwang and Ruby Coleman at the president of Iceland’s residence.
Usalis: For my last question, I’d love to close by asking each of you to share something you’d like to say to Ms. readers and feminists in the United States?
. . . .
Dasko: I would say don’t give up, don’t look back. Look forward. There are many ways to make a difference in your communities, in politics, in the private sector, the public sector. There are many ways to make a difference, and I think American institutions are strong. I honestly don’t think that one person can derail an entire country that is built on really solidly democratic institutions like free media, the rule of law, an independent judiciary and strong community organizations. I believe that the country is going to move ahead, though it may be a rocky road.
Usalis: Thank you all so much for joining me and for all the ways you inspire us every day.
TheRepresentWomen team is grateful to be engaging with the Reykjavík Global community. Beyond this opportunity to sit down with Mary, Michelle and Donna, we also hosted women members of Congress at this year’s Forum who participated in a rich panel discussion, co-hosted by Running Start, on Solutions to Advance Women’s Representation and Leadership. We were thrilled to be able to bring U.S. women leaders to the table, as we hope to deepen the connections among American lawmakers and thought leaders with global advocates for women’s leadership. It is clear that now, more than ever, we all must join hands, hearts and minds to learn how to strengthen democracy and build women’s political power the world over.
https://msmagazine.com/2024/12/27/women-reykjavik-global-forum-mary-robinson-michelle-harrison-donna-dasko/