Accessible

Dear Readers,

I found out that Amazon.com will make my book available on March 13. In the meantime you might also check out www.lodingo.com. They have made my CD available for mp3 download and will soon offer both my book and CD as a package. The book and the CD are entitled "Raising Our Voices: Women and Woman's Voice in the 21st Century."

In the meantime, if you have any questions, I invite you to visit my website www.womansvoiceinstitute.com. You will find contact information there--including an email address. I welcome hearing from you.

Thank you again for joining me here and, of course, thank you to my special helpers. I look forward to meeting you again soon here in the space we share together.

Raising Our Voices at Amazon.com

Dear Readers,

Several months ago we placed the image of my book cover on this blog with an offer to send the first three chapters to any of you who signed up for the mailing list.

I am pleased to report to you that my book, "Raising Our Voices: Women and Woman's Voice in the 21st Century" is now available at Amazon.com.

"Raising Our Voices" is both the story of my personal journey and, also, an invitation for you to journey with me through storytelling and vocal and written exercises. It is a communication journey in which you have the opportunity to access and explore your inner voice and its connection with your outer, speaking voice.

It is both a practical handbook that is a step-by-step guide to developing vocal and communication skills and it is a soulful exploration into the heart of our experience as women.

This is the first communication book written specifically for women that combines information about women's voice, women's language, and voice training along with practical steps on how to apply this information to strengthen and enhance our voices--to empower our communication--in our everyday lives.

"Woman's Voice" is a concept we created to express that fact that we women have a unique voice which is different in language, expression, and spiritual intent than the speech we learned in childhood. From the sound of our voices to our choice of words to the feelings we express, many of us are aware that we aren't communicating the person and the woman we know ourselves to be.

"Raising Our Voices" is an introduction to showing us ways to step into and express our authentic selves. Each chapter is devoted to an aspect of communication that challenges us to re-imagine communication from a woman's perspective--in our biology, in our development,in our language, in our history, and in our spirituality and creativity.

As I have often written in the past--as I was taught--"Women are the change agents of the 21st century." Because we never lived past menopause, we women were simply not present to be models to our daughters and granddaughters, we were not present to communicate our point-of-view, we were not present to participate.

Today, we have outstanding models of women who are indeed change agents: Oprah Winfrey, Nancy Pelosi, and Hilary Clinton, among many others. These are successful women who are changing history through their ability to communicate their knowledge, experience, and wisdom--women who claim their authority through the power of their Woman's Voice.

"Raising Our Voices" offers each of us an opportunity to find that inner authentic voice of authority, to strengthen and enhance our speaking voice and integrate both to maximize our ability to communicate effectively for success in all areas of our lives--with particular emphasis on our professional and leadership roles.

I started my journey to the publication of this book, this Work, 18 years ago. I couldn't have achieved so much without the dedicated help and support of many, many individuals. As always, I thank all my special helpers for all their efforts on my behalf and on behalf of this Work of Woman's Voice.

And I thank all of you who have waited so patiently while encouraging me--I thank you for your support. It's my hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to experience your own Woman's Voice journey.

Please support the Work and support your journey: Order your copy of "Raising Our Voices: Women and Woman's Voice in the 21st Century" from Amazon.com today.

And, as ever, to you, my Readers, I thank all of you for showing up and meeting me here in our space.

The Thrill of My Lifetime

Dear Readers,

It was the thrill of my lifetime to walk to my little library on election day and cast my ballot for Senator Hillary Clinton for President. Apparently I am in very good company. According to the "Los Angeles Times" today, 57% of voters on Super Tuesday were women--and, the majority of women voters voted for Senator Clinton!

That is the power of Woman's Voice.

Women now represent approximately 60% of registered voters. The 57% turnout is truly astonishing. It not only represents a voter majority--it shows our woman's commitment to expressing our voice through our vote. It shows our commitment to taking command of our future. It shows our commitment to our values and to our leadership.

Women fought for the right to vote for approximately 70 years. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who started the suffage movement in the United States, did not live to see women win the right to vote. Women have been voting since 1920-- only 88 years. Now we are a solid majority of registered voters--and, we show up!

Our presence at the polls also shows that 2006 was not blip on the election map. This election cycle clearly demonstrates that our commitment to changing the course of this country is unwavering.

This heartens me--and, I hope that it also heartens all of you as well as the good men who are with us in this.

I thank you all once again for showing up in this space, for caring so very much--and, of course, I thank my special helpers. I look forward to meeting you here again soon.

The Power of Woman's Voice

Dear Readers,

Two years ago we women turned out in record numbers to vote. As a result, our votes took back Congress. It was an extraordinary and momentous change because it reflected the power of our Woman's Voice. Tomorrow many of us will vote again. Keep in mind that, come November, we women will, for the first time, be the majority of voters. We women are marching toward an election where our votes may determine who will be the next president. This election will not only be history-making because of the candidates, it will be an historical event because of us women and our commitment to empowerment through voting our Voice.

Of course, in our two Democratic candidates, we are asked to make a difficult choice. Both of our candidates are outstanding and exceptional. However, from the Woman's Voice perspective, Senator Hillary Clinton will give us a leadership based on her knowledge, experience, and expertise in government as well as her wisdom and personal commitment to us. Earlier today, I wrote the following as a comment to an essay in the "New York Times" Opinion section:

Senator Clinton is a remarkably courageous woman to take this on. Her awareness of the fact that she is the first woman, her careful preparation, and her determination to transcend the criticisms to her candidacy, both as a woman and as a Clinton, are truly heroic. I also appreciate her dedication to the formidable task of getting elected. She is, without a doubt, the most well-prepared and capable individual to run for president in many years. Her commitment to support all that she brings to serve our country at its highest level is one of her most admirable qualities. That level of commitment, in addition to her experience, knowledge, the support of her colleagues, as well as her professional success in its own right are reasons enough to elect her. Every professional woman in this country, regardless of party affiliation, has faced these same issues. Yet, Senator Clinton is the only woman to set the courage of her convictions before America’s deeply-biased public eye and steadfastly hold herself, her work, and her record before us and allow each of us to decide for ourselves. Regardless of who we choose to vote for, all of us, women in particular, should join together in praising Senator Clinton for caring so deeply about us all, our welfare, and our future.

End of comment.

I strongly urge you, my readers, to show up to vote tomorrow. It's my hope that you will be moved to demonstrate your appreciation and support and your own commitment to a change in our leadership by casting your vote for Senator Hillary Clinton.

However you choose to vote, please show up tomorrow. Let us women once again rock our government to its foundations with the power of our Woman's Voice.

And, once again, dear readers, thank you all for all the ways in which you show up for me. Your commitment to following my journey, to accompanying me on my journey, to showing me the way pierces my heart. I thank you all and, of course, my special helpers--your vigil keeps me on the path. As always, I appreciate the fact that you are here with me in this space we share together.