How courageous are you? Do you take back the 'floor' at a meeting when you are interrupted in the middle of expressing your opinion? Do you walk into an event alone and start a conversation with someone you have never met before? Do you say your piece even when others have expressed opposing views?
These are all acts of courage. You feel uncomfortable, perhaps even fearful, but you do it anyway. Courage.
We experienced true courage in action if you witnessed or read about Bishop Mariann Budde speaking directly to President Trump, even locking eyes with him, who was sitting only 40 feet from her at the inaugural prayer service at the 3,000-seat Washington National Cathedral. She made a plea for mercy on behalf of immigrants and all those who feared for their lives and the lives of their family members.

The Bishop explained her decision to speak to the 47th president:
“To plead for mercy is actually a very humbling thing to do. I wasn’t demanding anything of him. I was pleading with him, like, can you see the humanity of these people? Can you acknowledge that there are people in this country who are scared? … If not him, if not the president, could others?” (The New York Times)
She spoke at great risk in the current political climate. Her words unleashed huge political attacks against her, but also support and words of gratitude for her speaking up.
How often have you spoken up in an atmosphere where your opinion or words may not have been welcomed by those in the room, at the table, or at the meeting?
Think of a time when you wished you had spoken up and recreate that moment in your mind. What might have happened had you said the words you wanted to say, but fear stopped you? Could you have effected positive change? Would others who shared your views have spoken up, too? What positive result may have been different had you been courageous?
Over the years, I have been inspired by courageous women like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Rachael Denhollander, Malala Yousafzai, and others. Today, I have added Bishop Mariann Budde to my list of inspiring, courageous women. When I think of their courageous actions, I restate my own intention to speak up more often and teach girls and women of the world to do the same. What would your intention be?
– Leslie
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