Sheila Flemming-Hunter, Ph.D.

“Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth living.”
Mary McLeod Bethune 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Eleanor Roosevelt 

Leadership is an awesome task, role if you will, in our world, nation and local community. All too often when we think about leading, we think about people or a specific individual. But we rarely give much thought about the characteristics or the primary substance of what it takes for one to lead, to show the way or to guide along a path. When it comes to women who go in advance of others we seem to place them in boxes that range from “nurturers” to “iron ladies.” And while we can all perhaps think of women leaders we know who may fit into one or both of these boxes, we hardly think about the essence of the role of leadership. 

Let me suggest that the essence of leadership is the “X” factor.  In mathematical terms, “X” is the unknown. Genetically it is the female chromosome. And in leadership, I think it is that uniqueness that leaders, especially those who make long lasting contributions, tend to possess. This uniqueness is the “X” factor and “X” equals authenticity. 

Authenticity, deriving from the Greek word authentikos, meaning perpetrator or master, is also defined as being original or the “real thing.” Some women leaders, I  like think, are not only original or one of a kind but they are masters at what they do because we stand in awe of the results of their leadership. While it may be true that women have no monopoly on authenticity, their “X” factor exceeds all expectations when given the opportunity. In fact, they not only level the playing field they knock the ball out of the park. 

I believe that if the playing field were traditionally and historically level for women in America, the “X” factor (authenticity) could have generated such masterful leadership through women that the world would be a better place. But the reality was and is that women have obstacles in the public sphere and in almost every arena of work. At the same time women have made wonderful strides. 

For example, women like Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt  were awesome leaders in spite of gender bias during their time.  And their indelible contributions to world history make us really wonder what it is that propels women to succeed with seemingly insurmountable odds.  Perhaps, it was the “X” factor, the authenticity of their leadership.

Consequently, as we celebrate this 97^th anniversary of Women’s History Month, let us celebrate the authenticity of women’s leadership and the wonders women continue to perform on this not so leveled playing field. Eventually we will eradicate gender bias so that the main of character of leadership, authentikos, will be paramount.  And inevitably, the world will know the beauty of women’s dreams because of their work to make life worth living.