Our power will not be squashed.  It will be celebrated.  

Meryl Streep 

Thanks to the Elephant like Internet record banks the introductory remarks of Meryl Streep fresh off winning the Academy Award for playing Margaret Thatcher speaking in tribute to Hilary Clinton at Tina Brown’s Women in the World 2012 introduces one of the world’s most dedicated activists in the empowerment of women Hilary Clinton from her unique perspective.

“I am an actress.  Hilary is the real deal.”

Striking the perfect note of insight, with the recognition and understanding of the role each of us is here to play as the worlds of the Actor and Activism find an intersection point.

Remembering the anger and distaste that came up in my neighborhood as a kid when Hilary Clinton ‘stood by her man,’ then when she ran for office becoming Senator Clinton of New York, eventually losing her Presidential bid and accepting the position of Secretary of State to remain in service to her beliefs, and, when, pretty much anything that Hilary Clinton has done comes up.

I never got it.  Here is someone who puts the truth of service first holding space for the greater good beyond circumstance.

So, why the polarized reactions.

“I have fought every day of my life.”  

When Meryl Streep delivers the line as The Iron Lady it is a cry of the universal female telltale heart.  Every woman understands this fight, this piece of understanding of the completeness that is a woman’s role in society.  Everyday waking up to feed hungry children, to look at the world through the holistic practical eyes owned in the birthright of the feminine.  This fierceness of belief in doing what needs to be done because we know what it means to carry life into being, to incubate ideas, to be a Mother Earth representative in the breach of change, to demonstrate shining light in our communities nourishing what needs nourishing and remembering no matter what befalls the effort, in showing up, and playing the part we were born to play destiny is delivered.  

Acting the role of Margret Thatcher is different than being Margaret Thatcher but through the eyes of this celebrated Actress who has delivered iconic, archetypal female characters one after the other at the depths of the truth in what it takes to be a women in today’s society you feel the role women embody in our communities around the planet.   Ms. Streep is a light to the many voices and one expression of the female in contemporary society.  A review of her work reveals the pantheon of opportunities available for women to rise into the fullness of the hero’s journey to have a voice, to speak the truth and to overcome adversity in the accomplishment of a life’s purpose.  Ms Streep projects the truth in imaginary and very real events and when she stands and delivers “I have fought every day of my life”  the story is transcended as Ms. Streep’s work always does, echoing the persistence of the inner struggles that over the centuries showcase the acceptance that we are powerful beyond measure and in recognizing this we can honor and celebrate each other without the need for judgment and dimming of our talents.  With her body of work Ms. Streep stands and delivers in the corner of the world she occupies with no apology.

Continuing her own experience at the intersection of storytelling and reality Ms. Streep shared what  she witnessed after a staged reading of the stories of women who had risked their life against injustice…

“That night in the theater… Anabella De Leon of Guatemala pointed to Hilary Clinton who was sitting in the front row… ‘I met her and my life changed.’  And all weekend long Women from all over the world said the same thing.  ‘I am alive. Because she came to my village, she put her arm around me and had a photograph taken together.  I am alive, because she went on Local TV and talked about my work, now they are afraid to kill me.  I am alive because I heard her speak.  Because I read about her.'”

“This Hidden history Hilary has…  Unheralded.  Uncelebrated.  Careful.  Constant work on behalf of women and girls that she has always conducted…  It deserves to be AMPLIFIED and this willingness to take it.  To lead a revolution.” is what defines Hilary Clinton.

“When she first raised her voice to say Women’s rights are Human Rights.  When Hilary stood up in Bejing to speak that truth…” the course of girls futures around the world shifted.

Women standing up, speaking the truth, joining together to transcend fears in favor of enlightening the conversation by finding the connections is our path forward.

“Never give up, is what Hilary Clinton embodies, and we understand that there is much work to do and know we have the ability to do it.”

As Women wake up, own their gifts the world changes in magnificently unexpected  ways. 

Hilary Clinton

Joseph Campbell broke down the difference between men and women, “in simple words Women are the bearer of life and men are the protectors of that life.”  Somewhere along the way we got it backwards, resting the roles from the other.  As we return to honoring this process in the hearts of each of us, its holders, as we step into incubating, nurturing and nourishing a new day, a new day moves into the hallways of the underlying spirit of politics, with renewed grandeur and true passion and purpose.

As Meryl Streep made way for the real and the righteous, the Actor introducing the activist in a particular harmony of action, Hilary Clinton shares her viewpoints of empowerment…

“Extremists focus on women… they want to control women… they want to control decisions we make about our own health and our own bodies.”

We “Roll sleeves up and get to work.”  “Committed individuals often with help from their friends can make a difference in their lives and far beyond.”

Time teaches us all lessons in courage beyond categories of thought.  Reflection brings us to the core of that which we need to see.  Each limit tested and boundary pushed extends possibility for each of us, there is no greater testament to the power and purpose of light in all its meanings than to allow an illumination of that which is beyond our capacity to see in connection with that which transcends category into the completeness of our oneness, experiencing our connection point in the space of the human heart.

While we may have a story in our minds about Hilary Clinton, one thing remains… she has been a shining example of the ways in which our silent actions ring loudly across the planet, her endurance in the face of criticism and defeats and successes and schedule and time on this planet has mattered to those whose lives where not only enlivened by her choices but by the way in which those lives were sheltered in her light.

“Never give up, is what Hilary Clinton embodies…. For her willingness to take it all on. For her willingness to step into the light.”

What is inherent in women around the globe can not be denied.  Control is an illusion of that which will always rise again with each new new tomorrow.

Never before has it been so important to show up and play the part you came here to play.  If you are called to go somewhere and sing your song, book a ticket and get there.  You can not keep a purposed person down.

Our Love will be shared.  Our lights will shine.

Marianne Williamson

“If you are going to do something in the world have a woman by your side.”

As Marianne Williamson declared in announcing her candidacy for Congress in District 33 in Los Angeles on a quiet Sunday in November of 2013 “We are the authors of the inner life” I was present in the audience.  This was a realization of the promise of the previous year’s Sister Giant Conference  designed to empower women to run for office and a galvanizing force of passion and purpose shifting the conversation into action by instilling a level of confidence if the will was there, support for the way would be tendered.  On the Sunday Afternoon a year later Marianne Williamson outlined her path forward to election day June 3rd 2014, sharing her ideas on why she answered her own call and how she planned to activate spaces previously sidelined from the political conversation, you could feel the forces of nature shifting the chemistry into new tomorrows in the darkness and energy of the Saban Theater.  This brewing nature of destiny unfolded toward a primary election in a future not too far off that would blaze forth representing so much more than the outcome in a voting booth.

One mission.  Returning to love, in every fiber of her work now a beacon of loving spirit into the foundation of the principles of the truth of Politics.

The journey of the heart externalized as Alanis Morissette introduced Marianne Williamson with a song she wrote called Guardian.

“As your guardian I’ll be your keeper for life.”

In this sound and light a woman committed to a new way to speaking the truth with love found a new harmony.

In taking action, in showing up no matter what the outcome Marianne Williamson is opening doors for many others to follow, reminding each of us that wings are ever available to help us fly and stepping up to destiny’s promise is that act of commitment where the universe meets each step forward with a 1000 fold force of previously untapped powers of love.

Each life touches so many others and the single act of showing up to the truth is the most powerful expression of humanity we access, in which the ripple effects are staggering and lovely.

“Our biggest threat is a thousand cuts – the slow but now constant chipping away at our democratic freedoms- one capitulation to moneyed interests at a time…”

These words slice so deeply into the core of our sleepiness as a society to set off alarm bells to action in small and large ways integral to the wake up call that Marianne represents.

Marianne has demonstrated a celebration of commitment, to her work and her life by engaging an old exhausted conversation in a new way to create anew in the act of standing up, sharing her voice and shedding light in the areas that need it representing the greatest acts we do, the integrity of excellence that creates space of limitless possibility for change.

At a recent rally into the heart of the matter, Marianne Williamson does what she always does, inspire a movement of the heart in the eternity of the present moment, open to more and more love:

On June 3rd, win or lose, destiny will have been met.  The fullest commitment to the deeper truth, that which is seen on the invisible level will have been laid bare and the conversations that have begun will bear fruit in large and small ways bringing about a stepping stone into a gateway of new tomorrows built on the present filled with limitless possibility for a new earth.

Inspiration comes in many forms and by her actions and her work and her message, Marianne Williamson leads the way for others to follow.  There is no greater experience than witnessing the birth of original perseverance, faith and love in action as the modern day miracle worker sets forth on a journey as old as time where Women create an economy of togetherness and light to shine away any injustice and birth a new day.

You don’t need to ask if your life has meant something.  It has.

Holding space for harmony and justice planting seeds locally, nationally and internationally.

Melissa Fitzgerald

Effectiveness, commitment, destiny, courage for the unknown are qualities Actorvist Melissa Fitzgerald consistently demonstrates.  Being a tireless voice for the invisible and underserved, an advocate for change and a representative of a new leadership philosophy takes faith in something bigger than yourself.  It takes vision beyond the current reality into the heart of what wants to be born.

During summer breaks on her seven seasons working as Carol on the smash hit The West Wing, Ms. Fitzgerald embraced an ingrained passion for shedding light in the dark corners of the spirit and when a dear friend coined the term ‘Actorvist’ to accommodate the two worlds Melissa Fitzgerald inhabits that are often impossible, she had a term to bridge and define her deep commitment to service and her belief in performance to reveal the truth, projecting light transcended definition.  Acting embodies the need to act inherent in Activism.  Current Senior Director for Justice for Vets Ms. Fitzgerald is re-framing a powerful movement to reclaim the lives of Veterans acting out of the traumas caused by their service by utilizing the justice system to return our heroes to their rightful place in our communities, amplifying a movement to support and honor those that have served our country.

Celebrity offers a particular platform of opportunity to lead by example, to broadcast messages that matter, to bring light to areas that have to long been cast in the dark and silent shadows of oppression, to lead so others might follow and to act in the spirit of determination for new tomorrows that are better than today in the health and welfare of our societies.

When asked what it is like to live in both worlds, that of the Artist and that of the Activist, Melissa  Fitzgerald at a recent event at Warner Bros. with heartfelt integrity does not hesitate… “Inherent in the Actor is the root of to act.  To be in action to what wants to live in the moment.  It isn’t enough to act the part, there is work to be done and being in action to serve those in need is completely necessary in our global mission to live in effectiveness and leave a path so others might know the way so deeply ingrained that loving change is inevitable and right action is the inner working of the spirit of those who have come before us.”

Speaking at NCMR “A Roadmap for Change,” of the National Conference for Media Reform Ms. Fitzgerald speaks eloquently on the matter “When people say to me, it is hard to know where to start, there is only one answer.  You start where you are. With what you have.”  

“If you go, show up, you have the opportunity to change something for someone you meet, and that’s how it starts.  If you don’t step up nothing changes.”

Showing up is the most powerful act of faith an individual can express.  Showing up no matter what the circumstance, standing for what needs to be expressed, showing up for someone you love, standing up for the ways in which your showing up makes all the difference.  The ripple effect from every single act of being present is incalculable.  If your intention is to be more loving, then the world will be a more loving place.  If your intention is to show up to discover something, to be curious, leading the way by shining a light there will be more light in the world.  It is  as simple as that.  As one of my lyric writing idols, Dorothy Fields wrote in one of her early songs, “If there were more people who did there would be much less to be done.”

Melissa Fitzgerald coined the word Actorvist to represent the intersection point of a lifetime commitment to service and how performing universal archetypal stories heal the heart and deliver the truth in imaginary situations.  In living this intersection point she represents the real deal in both worlds.

Shifting into an era of Global Citizenship that begins in communities.

Each of these women have conquered mountain after mountain, reaching new levels, lifting us above the battlefield into new vision, achieving the heights of excellence in the journey of our lives.  They stand as a testament to what each of us is capable of day in and day out to contribute to a better society with each act of faith.

Each of us provides an example in our circles, communities, and neighborhoods. As big as the problems we may face, the forces coming together in willingness and openness to a different way.  We definitely have the answer.  It lives within, as we exercise that which works through us and rises up when we are present to the task in front of us, showing up, being ourselves and in doing so shining light where it is needed most, where we are.

What connects and defines us as women.  What lives within our hearts that drives us to do whatever it takes to sustain our environment, to nourish our children, to give birth to new possibilities each day  we have the privilege to wake up and no matter what, to look at the world holistically, leading by example making sure what needs to be done gets done.

We are here to celebrate all that makes us human beings in magnificent cheering glory in an all out exercise of grace to bring about more and more peace.  These reminders of the deepest truth of what showing up means, in the magical and miraculous phenomenal space of Sisterhood in the present moment is how the open heart beats in love in thy kingdom come.

Thanks to these women and the many others who are tirelessly showing up, standing in the light and expressing the truth enabling others to stand in their light creating an unending chain of support in unity.

Start by showing up every day when you think you don’t know where to start.  All will be revealed.

#loveland #socialjustice #peace

For more information on the Women highlighted:

Marianne Williamson – Marianne for Congress  http://www.marianneforcongress.com

America needs a serious course correction. Our democracy is in danger of dying a death by a thousand cuts, as a combination of shrinking civil liberties, expanding corporate influence and domestic surveillance are assaulting its basic tenets.

Melissa Fitzgerald – Justice for Vets   http://www.justiceforvets.org

Justice for Vets enables the creation of a nationwide network of Veterans Treatment Courts that is transforming the way veterans are handled in the criminal justice system. In doing so we will keep veterans out of jail and prison; saving their lives, their families, and their futures, while saving tax dollars for the American public.  Lead by Actorvist and compassionate advocate for essential humanitarian causes Melissa Fitzgerald widely recognized as a courageous advocate for people in need.

Hilary Rodham Clinton – Hard Choices available June 10th  http://www.hillaryclintonmemoir.com

“All of us face hard choices in our lives,” Hillary Rodham Clinton writes at the start of this personal chronicle of years at the center of world events. “Life is about making such choices. Our choices and how we handle them shape the people we become.”  Hard Choices shares Hilary Rodham Clinton’s commitment to being in service to what needed to be done.

Tina Brown’s Women in the World  https://www.facebook.com/WOMENinWORLD

Women in the World is part of Tina Brown’s media empire and a testament to the grace and elegance of curating the power of the empowered feminine.  Watch video from the 2014 conference    here.

Melanie Lutz is a screenwriter, author, and filmmaker living in Los Angeles.  Check her out at melanielutz.com