Considering the Impact of a Queen's Leadership

The world needs solid, forward-looking leadership now more than ever. Sadly it sometimes feels that it's hard to find the public, visible, values-driven leadership we need. When you look for visible, powerful women leaders, the field narrows considerably.

I’m an American living in London, where I’ve been enjoying an immersive British experience for the past four years. We're heading into a weekend of celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which has led me to think a lot about her leadership characteristics and how they have shaped this nation I'm living in (and the rest of the world, for that matter).

I'm intrigued by the notion that for 70 years the United Kingdom has been ruled, so to speak, by a consistent, ever-present, powerful woman.

Has the Queen’s presence changed perceptions about women in positions of leadership? Is that why the U.K. has had two female Prime Ministers, while the U.S. has never had a female President? Could the Queen’s modeling of working motherhood have contributed to more supportive (in comparison with the U.S.) maternity leave policies? Has her role in some way shaped the nation’s attitude toward reproductive healthcare, which is safe, accessible, and funded by the State? I'm not sure, but it is interesting to consider.

I’ve known women who are towering, formidable examples of principled leadership. I’ve seen them stand up to oppressors, speak their truth even when no one wanted to listen to it, and brandish their voice like the sword it can be. So many of these women have provided consistent, principled leadership within their communities, but have not had their voices elevated to the public domain, where they could have done so much good for the world.

As we head into this weekend of celebration of the 70-year tenure of a remarkable woman leader, I’ll be considering the ways we can better uplift the voices of the other leaders who could be true change-makers on a global scale. I invite you to consider the same, and please send me your thoughts!