Sarah Crawford-Bohl

He lowered his arm and said, well, this is too positive, not an accurate representation of what we're going through. While still defensive, I remembered support and empathy. I wanted to create a safe place where he could feel seen and heard. So I suggested we sit down together so he could better understand his concerns. Next step, wonder.

We went to his office and I asked curious questions. And over some tea, he told me his story. He got out a red pen and circled the nine times I'd mentioned something positive in that article. I acknowledged. It was too many, understandably devaluing. I then asked if we could look for times I'd mentioned challenges. To his surprise, and frankly my own,

18 kertaa. 18. Minä mainitsin asioista, joita pitäisi ratkaista. Olin voinut antaa häneltä tietoa, että olin yllättynyt kutsumaan ympärilleni. Ja hän kertoi. Tiedätkö, se aikaa, jonka käsitimme yhdessä, oli tärkeää minulle. Ja luulen, että me molemmat otimme jotain tärkeää pois.

So I always remember the moral compass. North, north star. South, support. East, empathy. And west, wonder. I know when I'm true to my compass, I'm courageous, confident. The person I want to be, and I think the daughter my parents would be proud of.

and with my husband and our two daughters, I get the chance to pay it forward. So I hope you'll join me in leaning into tricky conversations, not only finding our voices, but understanding the imperative to use them. Stand up against the wrong, champion the right, and be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

No matter how shaky or unsure, we can be a powerful instrument of change and advocacy, leaving all people involved stronger as a result. Thank you.