It’s been said that the world would be a better place if it were run by women. For example, in a recent essay in the Wall Street Journal, Professor Melvin Konner says that due to biological make-up, countries would be less likely to go to war if a woman headed them. According to Konner, “Sex scandals, financial corruption and violence are all overwhelmingly male.”
I bring this up because in my time at Global Cleveland, I’ve noticed again and again that it’s women who are driving the efforts to bring people together and break down the walls that divide us. For example, Rita Singh, an immigrant who arrived in this country in 1979, not only built a Cleveland-based international business consulting firm with her husband, she also founded Elite Women Around the World, a membership organization working to enhance the economic position of women globally.
Focused on mentoring, Elite’s diverse and international membership embraces all women, to develop, grow and support the economic and social stability of women and girls through entrepreneurial and leadership programs. On March 8th, Elite hosted a Women’s International Day event that celebrated local women. The fun and lively event provided leadership tips to an audience of aspiring women leaders.
I also recently met Alex Johnson Boone, another inspirational leader in Cleveland. Alex founded the Women of Color Foundation in 2005. The non-profit fosters networking and provides personal and professional development, education and training to women and girls of all colors. On March 24th, Women of Color and the Cleveland Clinic hosted a discussion with Sylvia Perez, a young Afro-Latina woman who shared her story of growing up in Washington, D.C. to becoming the Chief of Staff and Manager for Governmental and International Affairs at the Cleveland Foundation. Young and old could learn from Sylvia’s focused confidence and accomplishments.
In addition to Rita, Alex and Sylvia, Global Cleveland is working with other remarkable women who are trying to support Cleveland’s diverse communities and make the region a more global, welcoming place. Women like Jenice Contreras, Executive Director of Cleveland’s Hispanic Business Chamber and Chamber of Commerce, Mari Galindo-DaSilva Language Access and Communication at MetroHealth, Chia Min-Chen, Asian Liaison – City of Cleveland Community Relations Board, Lisa Wong, President of Organization of Chinese Americans – Cleveland, Marsha Mockabee, President of the Urban League and Sheila Wright, former President of the NAACP. These are just a few examples of wonderful women who are giving their personal time and energies to make Cleveland and the world a better place for all.
Don’t get me wrong, men are great and have built the world we have today, and it’s not that I think women will make a perfect world, but I agree with Professor Konner that a world led by women will be less flawed than the one that men have made and ruled these thousands of years.
