Elizabeth Loescher

Elizabeth Loescher is a pioneer in the field of dispute resolution, and has been for over 20 years, she is the founder and former Executive Director of the Conflict Center in Denver, Colorado. She has drawn on her field experience and worked with local school officials to create curricula that are widely used in schools to reduce levels of physical, verbal, and emotional violence by teaching the practical skills of peacemaking and conflict and anger management. Providing students with a framework for examining and working out their conflicts, she contributed to the reduction of the number of violent incidents in a West Denver school from three per day to none within three semesters. (from Hunt Alternatives Fund)

She has made peace a priority in her life, and that I really respect. She has written books on the topic of mediation was well, these can be found here. She is a woman who has devoted her life to a cause she believes in and had made a world of difference.

Learn more about Elizabeth here:
Zinn Mediation

The Sisters of Notre Dame

This post does not so much focus on woman, as it does a whole group of them. The Sisters of Notre Dame have been a part of my life since I was eleven years old. I attended La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks, California, and this school was started and run by the order of Catholic nuns devoted to teaching. These women are among the most extraordinary that I've met in my life. I met a great deal of them around campus and in my times visiting the convent.
I had the most interaction with two sisters specifically, Sister Antoinette Marie Moon, and Sister Mary Leanne Hubbard. The former was the principal of the school during my time there, and she now serves at a school for girls, started by the order in Busesa, Uganda. It has been among my greatest desires to visit this school. Sister Leanne, was my teacher for two years. Although I was a Baptist attending a Catholic school, she helped me form a great respect for the Catholic church.
Knowing these women have very much changed my view of what a life devoted to God looks like. They are women who love their lives, they have fun, and have just as many opportunities as lay people. I am very thankful for their influence on my life, and I can be sure that I will never forget my time spent with them.

If you're interested in learning more about this order of Sisters, go to www.snd1.org !

(sorry I knew I had some pictures of them, but I cant find them!)

Joni Eareckson Tada

"A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson Tada a quadriplegic and in a wheelchair, unable to use her hands. After two years of rehabilitation, Joni re-entered the community with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations. “My church made a huge difference in my family’s life as they demonstrated the love of God in practical ways,” says Joni.

Mrs. Tada wrote of her experiences in her international best-selling biography, Joni. Her name is now recognized in countries around the world following the distribution in many languages of her biography and the full-length feature film JONI. She has personally visited over 41 countries."

(As quoted from her website Joni and Friends)

I have personally mat Joni, when I was about 10 years old, at a local church in Southern California. I remember I was amazed at how beautiful be was and how she was so happy for no apparant reason. She was in her element at her home church and to this day, even though our conversation lasted only about a minute, she is one of the kindest people Ive met. She has the joy of Christ, despite her personal misfortune.

I encourage you to look around her website to see all the amazing things she does despite her disability. She is an example of what we as Christians should be.

Francine Rivers

My first experience with Francine Rivers came at a very important time for me, my first heartbreak. I read her novel, Redeeming Love, and had a vivid picture of what love should be and moreso what God's love is like. Francine is a author who's books have touched many peoples lives, just like her first christian novel changed mine. She became a born again Christian in 1986, and her life from that point has been one that all Christians can relate to. I strongly encourage you to read her testimony on her webpage. As a writer myself, I find her so inspiring for the way she is able to use her creativity as a tool to further the kingdom.

Click here to watch a video of Francine discussing her writing!

Sandy Allen

Sandy Allen is the world tallest living woman. I first learned about her one night while watching a special on The Learning Channel about the worlds tallest man. I was intrigued by her strength and personality. Sandy has a pituitary disorder that has caused her to grow at an unusually rapid rate. At 10 years old she stood 6'3" tall. Currently, she is 7'7" tall and because of excessive strain on her knees and circulation she is confined to a wheelchair. Her personality is one of a woman that never gives up. She recognizes that the greatest hardship in her life is also the greatest gift. She uses the fame she has been given to speak and give hope to others suffering from diseases. In 2001 a book entitled Cast A Giant Shadow was released about her life. Sandy is an inspiration to me, and many other people worldwide. She challenges us to look beneath the surface beauty to the soul of a person for thier true beautiful qualities. She teaches all that meet her that it doesnt matter the frame we are given, or the difficulties we face, it is what we do with them that count.

Wangari Muta Maathai

So I guess I'm just inspired today, either that or just feel like getting some posts done... because I'm posting again!

Wangari Muta Maathai was born in Kenya, and was the first woman in east and central Africa to earn any type of docorate degree. She is internationally recognized for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation.

She has won numerous awards and prizes for her humanitarian and environmental work. Some of these awards include:
The Sophie Prize (2004)
The Petra Kelly Prize for Environment (2004)
The Conservation Scientist Award (2004)
J. Sterling Morton Award (2004)
WANGO Environment Award (2003)
Outstanding Vision and Commitment Award (2002)
Excellence Award from the Kenyan Community Abroad (2001)
Golden Ark Award (1994)
Juliet Hollister Award (2001)
Jane Adams Leadership Award (1993)
Edinburgh Medal (1993)
The Hunger Project's Africa Prize for Leadership (1991)
Goldman Environmental Prize (1991)
the Woman of the World (1989)
Windstar Award for the Environment (1988)
Better World Society Award (1986)
Right Livelihood Award (1984)
Woman of the Year Award (1983)
yeah.... thats a lot. I wish I had that many awards on my wall!

She has been a member of parliament in Kenya since 2002, and furthering her great work.

Listen here to hear an interview with her on NPR!

I really like this lady... obviously I don't know her, but just through researching her I can feel her compassion and drive to better her country. I feel like she would just be a really interesting person to sit down with, she looks so pleasant in her picture! So take some time to read about her and maybe you'll see what I mean!

Rigoberta Menchú

Rigoberta Menchu is someone I find absolutely extraordinary. She can from the most humble of roots, in Guatemala but was able to really make a difference for those around her and her country.

I know this is a quick little blog entry, but I really encourage you to look into the life she has had and the work that she has done! She's even a Nobel Peace Prize winner!

Rigoberta on Wikipedia
indians.org
Here she is!