A column about your Eden Valley Area Library
?ÄúIf your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.?Äù ~ John Quincy Adams
Leadership means something different to everyone. So, writing a column about leaders might seem like an impossible task. However, we seldom shy away from difficult tasks. We helped create a library, right? In our attempt to define leadership, we will name a few we consider worthy of mention.
In Sandy?Äôs world, it?Äôs tough to top Patricia Wetterling. This is a lady who has been through unspeakable tragedy. Yet, she turned that tragedy into a life spent leading the way for others. She and her husband co-founded the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. From the website: The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center was founded to educate and assist families and communities to address and prevent the exploitation of children. They continue to work to end all forms of child maltreatment through education, training and prevention while advocating for and serving children, adult survivors and communities. Resources from the Center are available at the library along with the book she co-authored, ?ÄúPerspectives on Missing Persons Cases.?Äù
Throughout history there have been individuals who stood out as notable leaders. Abraham Lincoln comes to mind. Known for his humanity and humility, he fought to save the Union and emancipate the slaves. And he had an amazing sense of humor. To appreciate his political genius, read ?ÄúTeam of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,?Äù by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Our younger readers can check out ?ÄúLincoln: a Photobiography,?Äù by Russell Freedman. What?Äôs Sue?Äôs favorite Lincoln quote? ?ÄúNearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man?Äôs character, give him power.?Äù
Another leader who follows the Adams?Äô definition would be Mother Teresa. She spent her life in service to the poorest of the poor and gave hope to multitudes. To read her own words, check out ?ÄúMother Teresa: Come be my Light,?Äù edited by Brian Kolodiejchuk. For a modern day inspirational read, consider the autobiography ?ÄúI am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban.?Äù A Pakistani student, Malala Yousafzai rebelled against the banning of girls?Äô education by the Taliban. She survived an assassination attempt to become an activist for female education. Among the prizes she has won are the Mother Teresa Awards and the Nobel Peace Prize.
Up for an inspiring movie highlighting a world-class leader? Watch ?ÄúInvictus,?Äù starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon (rated PG-13.) Nelson Mandela, upon becoming president of South Africa turns to his national rugby team ?Äúto do the impossible and win the World Cup?Äù in hopes of bringing about national unity. As stated at Amazon, ?ÄúPrepare to be moved.?Äù
In closing, Sue would like to give a shout out to Mr. Fishbacher, her sixth grade teacher and to all those teachers who ?Äúinspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more?Äù on an everyday basis. Until next month, see you at the library.