March 20, 2020 • 10 mins
As the coronavirus shakes the world, women are on the frontlines of the disease. Ambassador Melanne Verveer discusses the global impact on women, the contributions women are making, and how she remains optimistic about our future.
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Speaker 1 (00:17):
Hi, This is Milan Vervie and this is Kim Azareli.
We are co authors of the book Fast Forward, How
Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose. And you're listening to
Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose, brought to you
by the Seneca Women Podcast Network and I Heart Radio.
Welcome to this special edition of Seneca Women Conversations on
(00:37):
Power and Purpose. You know, during these difficult times, we're
bringing you conversations with women and men leaders who are
using their power for purpose. We're talking to leaders on
the front lines of the coronavirus and trying to get
perspectives from people who can share tips, resources and inspiration.
Today we're talking to Milan uh just to learn a
little bit about what's going on from a global perspective
(00:59):
for women in this moment. Milan grace to talk to you.
Thanks Kim. Obviously, we are going through unprecedented times right now,
and it's one of those moments when we all need
to come together, and we are coming together because it's
the test of our resilience and frankly, it's what we've
always done in the worst of times, we have managed
(01:23):
to prevail. What I'm finding both at home and all
over the world. Of course is that um, everyone has impacted,
but women are disproportionately affected. We know that so many
of them comprised the health care workers who are so
critical right now, nurses, social workers, but also people who
(01:44):
are doing the cleaning um, being those assistants in the hospitals. UH.
They are critically on the front line, and we need
to be thinking about them and helping them and all
the ways we can. Of course, we're also experiencing a
social and economic disruption in ways we probably never anticipate it.
(02:06):
We've got mother's for the most part, often single moms
bearing the brunt of caregiving at home. With so many
schools closed or closing, they are feeling the impact UM
and need to be caring for their families and also
worrying about their parents, their elderly parents. And you know,
(02:30):
we've seen so many poignant photos of UH women going
to assistant living spaces, not going inside because they don't
want to create any health conditions that are worse um
by the hour, but they are often outside the window,
(02:51):
often providing that kind of smile, the kinds of things
that make a difference. And then of course there are
the economic dislocations with which are very severe. Um. And
women bear the brunt of a lot of our hourly
wages uh conditions. They're the workers often with no paid
(03:12):
leave of any kind. Uh. They are in the gig
economy there in the retail stores. They are uh the
waitresses in the restaurants, etcetera. So this is one of
those times we all have to rally for each other.
But but women every place are really, in many ways
on those front lines. And have you have you seen
(03:34):
particular women stepping up to the challenge at hand? Any
specific women come to mind? Well, I'm I'm inspired by
so much these days because as tough as this is
and such a time of stress and worry, UM, you
see people who are using their power for purpose, whatever
their jobs are. You know. There was the other day
(03:56):
I was watching Katie Porter, a congresswoman, as she was
drilling one of the witnesses from uh C, d C
and HHS about free testing. UH. And by the time
she got through this period that was allotted to her,
she had really gotten them to guarantee the fact that
(04:17):
testing would indeed be free and hopefully there'll be more
and more of it available so that no American can
worry about the cost when they need the test. Uh,
And we know now with the legislation that's clear the
Congress that's going to be guaranteed. So I think people
(04:37):
are stepping up to the plate in all the ways
they can, you know, whether it's for neighbors, whether it's
what they can do to keep restaurants going, or provide
resources to people in great need. Right now. They're myriad ways,
and all of those ways just make us feel this
sense of community disrupted as a is. But that sense
(05:01):
of community, that's sense of belonging, that sense that we're
all in this together. We'll be back after this break.
Are there specific nonprofits or community groups right now that
(05:22):
you feel could use our listeners support. I think certainly
there are many, and uh we really need to work
with them and support them in any ways we can.
I think the food shortages right now are a critical element.
So the local food banks, meals and wheels, uh, feeding America,
(05:42):
no hungry kids. They're just a number of them, and
I think each of us knows in our own community, Uh,
those that are are really out there doing that heavy
lifting right now to make sure that the conditions, um
that are what they are are not being impounded by
hunger and desperation. Homeless shelters need help UM, the elderly
(06:07):
need help UM. And there are special funds that are
being set up a disaster philanthropy UH funds that one
can UM find on on the website UH. And they
are aligning philanthropists with nonprofit organizations who really need help
(06:29):
right now and some of those epicenters of the most
difficult needs. So yes, it's a time for all of us.
And one of the things UM many of us can
do is support those critical organizations right now. So, I mean,
everybody wants to try to use their powerful purpose. And
we've talked with some experts who talk about how actually
(06:49):
being helpful in this moment UM is not just helping
the community, it's helping yourself. It's fully a remedy for everything. UM.
For our listeners who who want to do something from home, UM,
what can people do well? I think they can go
up on their website and make a contribution. The most
important thing they can do is ensure that they're practicing
(07:10):
all the good habits we've heard about that we can
all repeat over and over in terms of hand washing
and keeping our distance, making sure our children are not
out congregating with others. There's been an issue in recent
days about college students who have been uh, you know,
having fun together. At this critical moment, we really have
(07:33):
to make sure that nobody UM is doing anything that
that will harm the other UH. And I think that
while many are asymptomatic, they could well be carriers of
the virus UH, and that will put so many others
at risk. So think about others. I think that's the
(07:56):
most important thing we can do at home, within our
own families, in our neighborhoods. Who's alone, who's elderly, How
might we help them? Charitable giving Uh. These are the
kinds of things I think that can happen UM, even
from our own dwelling places today, as many of us
are in self isolation. You are you are the first
(08:19):
global ambassador for women, and so you've traveled all over
the world to more and corn countries. Obviously you lead
much of the women peace and security efforts around the world.
So you've seen the resilience of women in very difficult situations.
What can we learn from that? Well, I think we
can learn that it's inside all of us. I have
(08:39):
seen people in the worst of circumstances, uh, unspeakable circumstances, Um,
stay at it, find something deep inside of them that
enables them to overcome and be resilient. And I think
in many ways that's been the story of our country
that in the worst of times, you know, I can
(09:02):
remember my own parents talking about what it was like
after World War Two. This is one of those unprecedented
times in history, and others have gone through it, we're
now going through it, and I think we know um
that we will find the strength, we will find the
courage we need. Not make fear be our companion. As
(09:28):
a president once said, the only thing we have to
fear is fear itself. And that's that's what I've learned
from so many in terrible circumstances, do the best you can.
We will all prevail in this. But we need each other,
even at a time when we're being isolated, we need
(09:48):
each other. Thank you Milan so much for joining us today.
It's wonderful to her. Thank you, Kim. Bye bye. You're
listening to Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose, brought
to you by the Seneca Women Podcast Network and I
Heart Radio with support from founding partner of p ANDNG.
(10:10):
Listen to Seneca Women Conversations on power and purpose on
the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
get your podcasts, and please support this podcast by telling
your friends, subscribing, and rating us. For more information on
Seneca Women, follow us on social media, Visit our website
Seneca Women dot com, and check out the Seneca Women
(10:30):
app free in the app Store. Have a great day.
Hi, This is Milan Vervie and this is Kim Azareli.
We are co authors of the book Fast Forward, How
Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose. And you're listening to
Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose, brought to you
by the Seneca Women Podcast Network and I Heart Radio.
Welcome to this special edition of Seneca Women Conversations on
(00:37):
Power and Purpose. You know, during these difficult times, we're
bringing you conversations with women and men leaders who are
using their power for purpose. We're talking to leaders on
the front lines of the coronavirus and trying to get
perspectives from people who can share tips, resources and inspiration.
Today we're talking to Milan uh just to learn a
little bit about what's going on from a global perspective
(00:59):
for women in this moment. Milan grace to talk to you.
Thanks Kim. Obviously, we are going through unprecedented times right now,
and it's one of those moments when we all need
to come together, and we are coming together because it's
the test of our resilience and frankly, it's what we've
always done in the worst of times, we have managed
(01:23):
to prevail. What I'm finding both at home and all
over the world. Of course is that um, everyone has impacted,
but women are disproportionately affected. We know that so many
of them comprised the health care workers who are so
critical right now, nurses, social workers, but also people who
(01:44):
are doing the cleaning um, being those assistants in the hospitals. UH.
They are critically on the front line, and we need
to be thinking about them and helping them and all
the ways we can. Of course, we're also experiencing a
social and economic disruption in ways we probably never anticipate it.
(02:06):
We've got mother's for the most part, often single moms
bearing the brunt of caregiving at home. With so many
schools closed or closing, they are feeling the impact UM
and need to be caring for their families and also
worrying about their parents, their elderly parents. And you know,
(02:30):
we've seen so many poignant photos of UH women going
to assistant living spaces, not going inside because they don't
want to create any health conditions that are worse um
by the hour, but they are often outside the window,
(02:51):
often providing that kind of smile, the kinds of things
that make a difference. And then of course there are
the economic dislocations with which are very severe. Um. And
women bear the brunt of a lot of our hourly
wages uh conditions. They're the workers often with no paid
(03:12):
leave of any kind. Uh. They are in the gig
economy there in the retail stores. They are uh the
waitresses in the restaurants, etcetera. So this is one of
those times we all have to rally for each other.
But but women every place are really, in many ways
on those front lines. And have you have you seen
(03:34):
particular women stepping up to the challenge at hand? Any
specific women come to mind? Well, I'm I'm inspired by
so much these days because as tough as this is
and such a time of stress and worry, UM, you
see people who are using their power for purpose, whatever
their jobs are. You know. There was the other day
(03:56):
I was watching Katie Porter, a congresswoman, as she was
drilling one of the witnesses from uh C, d C
and HHS about free testing. UH. And by the time
she got through this period that was allotted to her,
she had really gotten them to guarantee the fact that
(04:17):
testing would indeed be free and hopefully there'll be more
and more of it available so that no American can
worry about the cost when they need the test. Uh,
And we know now with the legislation that's clear the
Congress that's going to be guaranteed. So I think people
(04:37):
are stepping up to the plate in all the ways
they can, you know, whether it's for neighbors, whether it's
what they can do to keep restaurants going, or provide
resources to people in great need. Right now. They're myriad ways,
and all of those ways just make us feel this
sense of community disrupted as a is. But that sense
(05:01):
of community, that's sense of belonging, that sense that we're
all in this together. We'll be back after this break.
Are there specific nonprofits or community groups right now that
(05:22):
you feel could use our listeners support. I think certainly
there are many, and uh we really need to work
with them and support them in any ways we can.
I think the food shortages right now are a critical element.
So the local food banks, meals and wheels, uh, feeding America,
(05:42):
no hungry kids. They're just a number of them, and
I think each of us knows in our own community, Uh,
those that are are really out there doing that heavy
lifting right now to make sure that the conditions, um
that are what they are are not being impounded by
hunger and desperation. Homeless shelters need help UM, the elderly
(06:07):
need help UM. And there are special funds that are
being set up a disaster philanthropy UH funds that one
can UM find on on the website UH. And they
are aligning philanthropists with nonprofit organizations who really need help
(06:29):
right now and some of those epicenters of the most
difficult needs. So yes, it's a time for all of us.
And one of the things UM many of us can
do is support those critical organizations right now. So, I mean,
everybody wants to try to use their powerful purpose. And
we've talked with some experts who talk about how actually
(06:49):
being helpful in this moment UM is not just helping
the community, it's helping yourself. It's fully a remedy for everything. UM.
For our listeners who who want to do something from home, UM,
what can people do well? I think they can go
up on their website and make a contribution. The most
important thing they can do is ensure that they're practicing
(07:10):
all the good habits we've heard about that we can
all repeat over and over in terms of hand washing
and keeping our distance, making sure our children are not
out congregating with others. There's been an issue in recent
days about college students who have been uh, you know,
having fun together. At this critical moment, we really have
(07:33):
to make sure that nobody UM is doing anything that
that will harm the other UH. And I think that
while many are asymptomatic, they could well be carriers of
the virus UH, and that will put so many others
at risk. So think about others. I think that's the
(07:56):
most important thing we can do at home, within our
own families, in our neighborhoods. Who's alone, who's elderly, How
might we help them? Charitable giving Uh. These are the
kinds of things I think that can happen UM, even
from our own dwelling places today, as many of us
are in self isolation. You are you are the first
(08:19):
global ambassador for women, and so you've traveled all over
the world to more and corn countries. Obviously you lead
much of the women peace and security efforts around the world.
So you've seen the resilience of women in very difficult situations.
What can we learn from that? Well, I think we
can learn that it's inside all of us. I have
(08:39):
seen people in the worst of circumstances, uh, unspeakable circumstances, Um,
stay at it, find something deep inside of them that
enables them to overcome and be resilient. And I think
in many ways that's been the story of our country
that in the worst of times, you know, I can
(09:02):
remember my own parents talking about what it was like
after World War Two. This is one of those unprecedented
times in history, and others have gone through it, we're
now going through it, and I think we know um
that we will find the strength, we will find the
courage we need. Not make fear be our companion. As
(09:28):
a president once said, the only thing we have to
fear is fear itself. And that's that's what I've learned
from so many in terrible circumstances, do the best you can.
We will all prevail in this. But we need each other,
even at a time when we're being isolated, we need
(09:48):
each other. Thank you Milan so much for joining us today.
It's wonderful to her. Thank you, Kim. Bye bye. You're
listening to Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose, brought
to you by the Seneca Women Podcast Network and I
Heart Radio with support from founding partner of p ANDNG.
(10:10):
Listen to Seneca Women Conversations on power and purpose on
the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
get your podcasts, and please support this podcast by telling
your friends, subscribing, and rating us. For more information on
Seneca Women, follow us on social media, Visit our website
Seneca Women dot com, and check out the Seneca Women
(10:30):
app free in the app Store. Have a great day.
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