In almost every event and circumstance, there is a lesson in leadership. Yesterday, Catherine Wright taught me a valuable one. A colleague and friend invited me to a breast cancer awareness and education event. It was a very serious topic on a very early Saturday morning. But it proved to be worth every sacrificed minute of sleep.
Catherine Wright, founder of the C. Wright Pink Ribbon Project, was one of the speakers. She is a regal, no nonsense woman whose self-assurance is quiet and clear. Ms. Wright took command of the podium, and told how she had survived breast cancer, after doctors diagnosed her in 2004. That revelation, in and of itself, makes her a warrior. But surviving the beast that is breast cancer was not enough of a victory for Ms. Wright. In 2011, she brought to life the C. Wright Pink Ribbon Project, an amazing organization that provides education and financial support to women fighting for their lives and their dignity. Since launching in 2011, the C.Wright Pink Ribbon Project has financially supported over 200 women; and the organization has given away more than $200,000. Cancer patients are able to pay mortgages, car notes, utilities, and other bills that don’t stop just because of a diagnosis.
Selflessness is, indeed, a cornerstone of leadership. We cannot effectively lead if we are unwilling to sacrifice for others. Ms. Wright’s devotion to others is a clear and present example of what it takes to set the example and make a remarkable impact. As she told KTBS 3 in 2017, “Every day that I’m able to help somebody, that’s another day that I’m living.”
Ms. Wright’s work also highlights the leadership principle of purpose. Anyone who’s ever helped a kid sell a box of candy bars knows how difficult it is to execute even the smallest fundraiser. But, Ms. Wright has developed, launched, and successfully managed a program that has raised at least a quarter of a million dollars. That effort is noteworthy and it underscores the power of purpose. Your purpose is your calling. And when you find purpose, goals that were previously unimaginable, will fall within your reach. That is the case with Ms. Wright. She stands in her purpose, and in doing so, transforms the lives of others. And her reach extends beyond those battling the disease; the clear-eyed intent of her purpose inspires others to contribute and make their own difference. That is leadership.
There are thousands of definitions of leadership. One of my favorites defines leadership as “one life influencing another.” It is direct and powerful–just like Catherine Wright and her mission to restore hope.
To learn more about the C. Wright Pink Ribbon Project, visit https://cwrightproject.org
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