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Tag: Authors

Honored Role (part 15): Paula Broadwell – Arc of a Driver

This is the 15th installment in the Honored Role Series.

Paula Broadwell does her best thinking and reflecting during her daily 6:00AM run with her Iphone and Pandora blasting. She runs at warp speed literally and intellectually. To say she is driven to perform is a precise statement of how discipline and determination have shaped her life. She is writing a dissertation on military leadership and effective organizational management, and an authorized intellectual biography of General David Petraeus, Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

Be careful what you wish for

How often have we heard the saying, “be careful what you wish for, it just might come true”?

Earlier this month when I learned that John Quinones, co-anchor of ABC News “Primetime” and author of Heroes Among Us: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Choices, was scheduled to speak at the Park City Friends of the Library Luncheon, I was excited to attend for two reasons. The first was to congratulate and thank him on his focus and commitment to finding and sharing stories of selflessness, strength, bravery and inspiration. We can never be exposed to enough stories about people who make difficult choices to help their fellow man. Such reminders reaffirm our faith in humanity. The second reason was a selfish one. I wanted to ask his consideration of lending his voice to my project of sharing stories of ordinary women who made extraordinary choices. Actually, it was to follow-up on a previous request.

Leadership and mentoring in the news

Akin to many women, I wear a myriad of “hats and coats”, including mom, wife, daughter, friend, writer, volunteer, and outdoor enthusiast. I am inspired often by the actions, involvement, excitement and stories of women I meet. Daily, I am reminded of the impact women make in other people’s lives. They bridge past, present and future into meaningful and shared experiences.

In the last few weeks various newsworthy and journalism personalities shined their media spotlight on girls and women, illuminating our gender as emerging and growing “bridge builders” and accelerants for change.

A Few Good Women

Porcelain on Steel: Women of West Point’s Long Gray Line was borne out of my experience as a high school volleyball coach in 2004.  Concerned with whom some of my athletes admired and considered role models, I began thinking about some of the women with whom I went to school and served along side in the Army.  These women are role models, and if my team learned about some of them maybe they would consider pursuing paths to which they had not previously been exposed.