Are You a Dangerous Woman?
The women pictured here were considered dangerous.Their photos appeared on the cover of McCall's Magazine, October 1920. Who are they? Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia B. Mott, the Blackwell sisters, Julia Ward Howe, Lucy Stone, Mary A. Livermore, Martha C.Wright, and the first woman to cast a U.S. vote in Wyoming.Why were they dangerous? Because they were making a difference in their world! I love that. I might not agree with all they did, but I applaud their courage to confront what needed to change in their day.I want to be a dangerous woman. So does Lynne Hybels, writer, speaker, wife of Bill Hybels. She wrote this amazing Dangerous Women Creed. Let it challenge you to reach beyond the easy and comfortable:Dangerous Women Creed:Dear God, please make us dangerous women.May we be women who acknowledge our power to change, and grow,and be radically alive for God.May we be healers of wounds and righters of wrongs.May we weep with those who weep and speak for those who cannotspeak for themselves.May we cherish children, embrace the elderly, and empower the poor.May we pray deeply and teach wisely.May we be strong and gentle leaders.May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear.May we never hesitate to let passion push us, conviction compel us,and righteous anger energize us.May we strike fear into all that is unjust and evil in the world.May we dismantle abusive systems and silence lies with truth.May we shine like stars in a darkened generation.May we overflow with goodness in the name of God and by the power of Jesus.And in that name and by that power, may we change the world.Dear God, please make us dangerous women. Amen.I pray for you what I pray for myself: Don't settle. Challenge. Confront. Make a difference. Be dangerous.As printed in 2008 Synergy Program