INTERVIEW: The love of a mother can move mountains: Dana Florence (VIDEO)
Before becoming a mother, Dana Florence was a primary school teacher with a passion for helping children reach their full potential. In her heart, she really wanted to start a family of her own. When she gave birth to triplets on Jan 1. 2008, life changed — dramatically.
The triplets were born 15 weeks premature and the fight for their lives began, enduring many tests, procedures and surgeries to keep them alive. Eventually, the children — all three of them — were diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy. Today, they all require equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers, and constant care to help them with everyday tasks that many people take for granted.
These children — Taylor, Cole and Brody — are the inspiration behind Three To Be, a Toronto-based organization that Dana and her husband, Jared, founded to help children with neurological disorders. Three To Be’s mission is to advocate and raise funds to support and advance the development of innovative research, education and therapies for children with neurological disorders. So far, they have granted more than one million dollars to The Hospital for Sick Children and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Recently, they purchased a robotic device to help children with cerebral palsy learn to walk.
And this is just the beginning.
“If you don’t go through difficult things in your life, you don’t realize what you have to be thankful for.” ~ Dana Florence
At the heart of this story is a determined woman who has taken a difficult situation and made the best of it; moving beyond basic survival to inspiration — to making a difference in the lives of many children who need it the most. It is also the story about how the unconditional love of a mother can be powerful enough of a force to move a mountain.
I invite you to watch my in-depth interview with Dana Florence on my web TV show, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner. I asked her about the organization’s vision, and how she finds the strength and support to keep going. I also asked her if, reflecting back, she would change anything. Her answers — from the heart — provide insight into a woman who is nothing short of extraordinary.
To go to the interview, click here (VIDEO).
INTERVIEW: Suzie McNeil interview with Shannon Skinner (VIDEO)
She is talented, gorgeous, stylish — and powerful.
The moment Canadian pop rock star, Suzie McNeil, walked into the studio for my interview with her on my web TV show, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner, a brilliant smile — and a breezy “Hi everyone!” — lit up the room. This burst of friendliness gave me insight into the woman whose music touches many hearts.
What makes Suzie so unique and appealing is her magnetic presence — the energy that comes from the core of her being. It is so irresistible that I was naturally drawn-in to discover more about her. I found out that she is her own stylist, having picked up trade secrets over the years. I also learned she was saddened by the sudden death of her keyboardist. There is a warmth about her that is truly inviting. In a way, I felt like I was catching-up with an old friend.
As an award-winning artist of so many popular songs such as SuperGirl and Merry Go Round, Suzie came into my awareness in a significant way during the 2010 Winter Olympics. She so beautifully — and powerfully — performed the uplifting song, Believe, during the Closing Ceremonies. Her Olympic-inspired Believe video, which was created to encourage our athletes to do their best, was so moving. I can relate to the song’s lyrics — they are simple, yet profound:
“If you just believe
You can move mountains with dreams
The higher you climb
The better it gets
Cause you will see things
You’ll never forget
If you just believe”
That’s when I made a wish: “One day, I would love to interview Suzie McNeil. I just have to believe that I will.”
And so, I did.
In my in-depth, one-on-one interview with Suzie McNeil on Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner, I uncover what inspires Suzie’s heart — the heart of an extraordinary and gifted artist whose music has touched the hearts of people all over the world.
I asked her about the inspiration behind her latest CD, Dear Love.
I asked her if there was ever a time when she did not believe in herself.
I also asked her what is the secret of her success.
She generously and graciously shared that information with me. And for that, I am grateful.
After my interview with Suzie, my mother, who is the biggest fan of my show (probably because she is my mother) — and also my greatest champion whenever I experience self-doubt — sent me a text:
“Like Suzie says, you really need to believe in what you set out to do, and just keep doing it!”
I think that is a message for anyone — and everyone.
If you have a dream in your heart, and are looking for inspiration and courage to make it come alive, I invite you to watch my interview with the extraordinary, Suzie McNeil (click on link below):
INTERVIEW: Suzie McNeil interview with Shannon Skinner (VIDEO)
Cross-posted at Huffington Post Canada.
* photo of Suzie courtesy of Hype Music
copyright© Shannon Skinner 2012
The rise of the woman orator
As I prepare myself for the speaking world, my speaker coach yesterday asked me a simple question: who do you consider the greatest orators?
I rattled off a number of them, such as the obvious J.F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King — the usual suspects — and a number of others. Then I realized my list comprised entirely of men.
So, I had to do more digging.
Margaret Thatcher popped into my mind — and then Hilary Clinton, who gives rousing speeches.
And then I struggled to find more. But why were they not coming to mind?
There are plenty of examples of women who have given famous speeches. There are also loads of examples of wonderful, competent and inspiring women speakers all over the world. I have worked with or interviewed some of them. But what about women who have powerfully moved a nation through their charisma and spoken word?
Not many. Certainly not as orators.
For instance, Oprah has had an undeniable enormous impact around the world through her journalism and interviewing skills, but I would not consider her an orator.
Queen Elizabeth II is a highly skilled speech reader, but she does not necessarily inspire.
Princess Diana gave powerful speeches in her quest to rid the world of landmines, but I don’t think she was of the orator caliber either. But if you read one of her speeches on the subject, the passion is undeniable.
For centuries, until more recently, women have been silenced and kept in the background, while the world valued male attributes, power and rhetoric. In many nations, boys were the ones who received education, while girls played domestic roles. So there was not much opportunity for women to speak, let alone master the art.
However, we are not silenced and hidden any longer. At least, not in developed nations.
So who are some of the other women who have powerfully used the “word” to move the masses?
One of the most powerful speeches on record given by a woman, in my opinion, was England’s most famous flaming red-head, Queen Elizabeth I, on the Spanish Armada. It was her “battle cry.” She had it in her heart to motivate her troops as they faced war. The genuine emotion of this speech is palpable:
My loving people, we have been persuaded by some, that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood, even the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms: to which, rather than any dishonor should grow by me, I myself will take up arms; I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, by your forwardness, that you have deserved rewards and crowns; and we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble and worthy subject; not doubting by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and by your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over the enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
Queen Elizabeth I – 1588
There is much to learn from this speech. The key to being a great orator is tucked in between words, sentences and phrases. I am not aware if the Queen Elizabeth I actually wrote this speech herself or if it was written for her, but my sense is she had a hand in it.
Granted when you rule a nation, you must master the craft of the spoken word that mobilizes. More women then ever are ruling nations, like Argentina. So perhaps we will see a rise of the “great woman orator.”
In my research, I stumbled upon this terrific blog, The Eloquent Woman, that is a great resource for women speakers and famous women speeches. If you are a woman speaker, check it out.
I personally feel it is time for the rise of the great woman orator. It is time for a woman to move the masses with her charisma and the power of the spoken word. We need more women orators.
Is that you?
Thank you, Judy Suke, for asking me the important question in the first place, which has put me on a new quest.
To my readers: Who do you think are the greatest women orators, past or present?
© Shannon Skinner 2012
