**Action Required: How to Turn Your Fear into Power**

Issue 279 — November 11, 2024

“Don’t ever give up. You have power. And don’t ever listen to anyone who tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before…This is a time to organize, mobilize, and stay engaged.” — Kamala Harris

As the dust settles after the November 5th election, many of you are deflated, while others are elated.

No matter where you stand, one thing is clear: Take The Lead’s mission for gender parity in leadership across all sectors has never been more essential. Our work transcends party lines and industries, grounded in the belief that advancing women’s economic power, parity, and reproductive freedom benefits us all.

A Moment of Opportunity

Right now, women’s rights are under unprecedented attack. This is a moment not to retreat but to rise — because history shows us that disruption is the birthplace of transformation. “Carpe the Chaos” is the 5th of our 9 Leadership Power Tools.

Action is required. Take The Lead is ready, and we need your partnership.

— If you’re feeling deflated, channel that energy into action.

— If you’re feeling elated, it’s your responsibility to help pave the way for future generations of women leaders.

Pundits might urge us to compromise our principles, to shape ourselves into something “more like them.” But we know better: Real change happens when we unite, redefine power on our terms, and build forward, not backward. This is how we counter the cultural forces pulling some Americans back to a past where women were sidelined.

Why Gender Parity Matters

Gender parity in leadership benefits everyone. Businesses with women leaders perform better, communities are stronger, and opportunities widen for all. And look around: Women are the prepared workforce, earning the majority of college degrees, and are the economic drivers, making 80% of purchasing decisions. Everyone wants their daughters to have the same opportunities as their sons. We can make that happen.

But belief alone isn’t enough. As Octavia Butler said: “Belief will not save you. Only actions guided and shaped by belief and knowledge will save you.”

So, What Action Is Required Now?

Someone recently asked about my vision for Take The Lead in the next three years. My answer was simple: Scale.

By 2025, our mission is to accelerate women in leadership to reach parity. We have the roadmap, the proven strategies, and the partnerships. Now, we need the collective will and the funding to make it happen.

Here’s what’s on the agenda so far for 2025:

— Support 1,000 Women to advance in their leadership through new online 9 Leadership Power Tool courses, and in-person workshops, including licensing the course to organizations.

— Deliver at least two cohorts of our immersive and most powerful 50 Women Can Change the World** program.

- Grow the Community with the Power Up Concert and Conference, which will triple in attendance over the next three years.

— Launch New Initiatives in 2025, like the “Women, Wealth, and Power” summit and a unique series for small business owners.

— Provide Innovative Content Delivery including with my digital twin, designed to make my knowledge base more accessible to you on demand. Join me at Techonomy24 for a sneak preview of that.

We’re forging alliances with women’s organizations and companies nationwide — because when we work together, we are unstoppable.

Join the Movement*

Action is required. You have power. And using your power is the key to progress.

Request an appointment to discuss how you want to be part of this exciting forward initiative, such as signing up for our 9 Leadership Power Tools course, sponsoring a scholarship or an entire program, establishing a local council in your area, or volunteering in another way.

This is your moment to step up. You can use your power to fuel the change we need.

Thank you for your partnership, and Power TO you.

GLORIA FELDT is the Cofounder and President of Take The Lead, a motivational speaker, a global expert in women’s leadership development and DEI for individuals and companies that want to build gender balance. She is a bestselling author of five books, most recently Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics, and How Women Will Take The Lead for (Everyone’s) Good. Honored as Forbes 50 Over 50, and Former President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, she is a frequent media commentator. Learn more at www.gloriafeldt.com and www.taketheleadwomen.com. Find her @GloriaFeldt on all social media.