A good book has no ending. ~R.D. Cumming
Gazing at the sea of Kindles on the T each morning, I frequently want to lean over and ask, “So what are ya reading?” Reading not only expands our vocabulary, but it enriches our thinking about the things that matter to us: relationships, business, nonprofits, celebrities, and international affairs, just to name a few. Because nothing is as delicious as a book referral, I recently reached out to my colleagues at Strong Women, Strong Girls to see what they are reading these days and its impact on their thinking. Here’s what I discovered:
- Pittsburgh Program Manager Mila Yochum is reading Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson, his second book that takes a different approach to the conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan and emphasizes education. Having heard Greg speak last year, Mila noted his sincere desire to improve the need to reform the international education system, particularly for girls.
- South Florida’s Program Manager Adele Coble recently read Small Change: Why the Revolution will not be Tweeted, an essay by Maclolm Gladwell. It asserts that while we are told that the world is in the midst of a technological revolution, profound change comes from making a human connection– even a commitment– to those you serve and the people with whom you serve. She found it to be an easy re-affirmation of Strong Women, Strong Girls values, especially the need for strong relationships and communication.
- Pittsburgh Program Manager Jessica Tirado recently Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof. The book not only shares the inspirational stories about women entrepreneurs around world, but it highlights the importance of women’s empowerment in larger global development areas, such as public health and economic development.
- Pittsburgh Executive Director Lynne Garfinkel is reading The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self and Relationship by David Whyte. This book takes a fresh approach and redefines ‘balance’ not as finding time to do everything or be everything to everyone, but rather to explore and appreciate that our relationships, our work and our life (our three ‘marriages’) cannot be balanced against each other or separated, but rather they are always moving and intertwined.
- President and Founder Lindsay Hyde’s source on a weekly basis for great insight is the Harvard Business Review. What she most loves about this is that it is current and enables us to address, reflect, and strategize on trends. She is also able to find topics that are relevant to where she’d like SWSG to be three years from now.
Blog back and tell us what you’re reading and why!