Joanne Grady Huskey

Bethesda, MD

During the 25 years I lived in Africa and Asia with my husband, who was a diplomat in the U.S. foreign service, I tried to make a difference. I founded a cross-cultural training company in Taiwan, a volunteer organization for orphans in China and an international school in India. I also established a bomb relief fund after al Qaeda attacked the U.S. embassy in Nairobi -€“ an experience that hit close to home, since my two small children and I were in the basement of the building when it collapsed. Luckily, we were not hurt, but many of our friends were killed.

In all my years overseas, however, I never focused on girls until my daughter turned 14 and began to transform from a confident, spunky kid into a teenager unsure of her abilities and potential. I had seen that happen in many nations to too many girls.

When we returned to Washington, D.C., in 2010, I was convinced that empowering young women to be change-makers in their own societies would be the best way to make a difference on this planet.

With two friends, I co-founded iLIVE2LEAD International, which hosts week-long International Leadership Summits for exceptional young women ages 15 to 23. We designed a course for women who are in transition in their lives and want to determine the next steps in a productive life. We have taught this workshop in the U.S., but are excited to see that it is applicable internationally.

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What’s your encore story? Share it now.

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In 2016, I ran a Third Act for Women workshop in Chennai, India, for 20 enthusiastic “encorers.” The exciting thing is that this message of living a productive encore stage of life is applicable all over the world. I’ve been invited to lead more workshops in four cities in India next year! The work resonates with women everywhere!

The Third Act for Women has inspired hundreds of women to give back to their communities and make a contribution that matters. Some have gone on to start businesses, others are volunteering with youth, others are taking up a new field all together and discovering new sides of themselves.

Older women are an untapped resource of skill and talent with a desire to give back and make a difference in their worlds. Gaining confidence and being fired up to go out and live the life one dreams of these women touch many more lives in the process.  The ripple effect is huge.

 

It’€™s been an amazing journey. Inspiring young women to be leaders who will make the planet better for everyone -€” including my daughter.

(Joanne Grady Huskey was honored as an Encore.org Purpose Prize Fellow in 2014.)