While there are many people and social norms that condition us to fight our way to the top on our own, or as individuals, I have to believe that the narrative is changing like this quote suggests and that getting to the "top" is easier and better when you take people with you. I'm used to growing up with two opposing views in Wyoming: 1. The individualism of the West where we thrive alone and should rely only on ourselves versus 2. The team mentality that we only get to the top when working together and bringing each up along the way. I'd venture to guess it's not just me out here in the West that has these opposite views rolling around in my head. 

Maria Eitel is the founder of the Nike Foundation and The Girl Effect, an organization empowering adolescent girls to make decisions for a better future for themselves, families, and communities. She was a journalist and a fellow Georgetown grad (go Hoyas!) and has dedicated much of her life's work to lifting girls and their families out of poverty: taking others up the ladder with her. 

It has me thinking, how do I, how do you, lift others up whether it's alongside or behind so that we may all enjoy the view? 

Rolling right along with the theme! Something I have always liked about local politics is that the issues make a difference in the community and you can see the effects much more quickly than state or federal actions. From something as simple as filling a pothole to as complex as affordable housing, the decisions made on a local level are felt and seen almost immediately. That can make it intense too. I have found that the way to get the best outcomes is collaboration. Working with community members, key organizations, other electeds, etc makes for better projects, buy in, and inclusion. Don't get me wrong, it's not all rainbows and butterflies when you collaborate, in fact, it can make it harder but that doesn't mean we should shy away from it. It's easy in today's world to put up fences and walls and stop working together, lord knows we see this happening in our ever increasing partisan politics! As hard as it may be sometimes, I will always keep reaching out a hand to work together. How are you collaborating in your work, home, community? 

Melinda Gates Gives $1 Billion to Women

Something worth repeating and celebrating! Yes, I'm jumping on the bandwagon to highlight the news that Melinda French Gates announced this week to donate $1 Billion to women and girls causes. I'm repeating and sharing here in case you missed it but also to call attention to how amazing this is! When you get into the details about how underfunded women and girls's causes are, it's appalling but not surprising. So this $1 Billion is exciting and a START.