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Celebrating Women Near and Far

March 15, 2021

By: Marian Reich, Global Ties Detroit President

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women’s achievements around the world and an opportunity to reflect on the impact of international exchange for women and girls near and far. So let’s begin with far, very far. New Zealand comes to mind. Jacinda Ardern became the youngest female head of government when she was sworn in as New Zealand’s Prime Minister on October 26, 2017. Just five years before becoming chief of state, Ms. Ardern participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the U.S. as a Member of Parliament. She explored the topic of “U.S. Foreign Policy: The Decision-Making Process” with 23 other emerging leaders from around the globe, including journalists, government officials and business professionals over the two-week exchange.

Ardern made headlines worldwide for her leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Forbes editorial (April 13, 2020) noted: “Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand was ... crystal clear on the maximum level of alert she was putting the country under—and why ...Clarity and decisiveness are saving New Zealand from the storm."

Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg also received praise from the same Forbes piece on leadership during the crisis: “Solberg had the innovative idea of using television to talk directly to her country’s children ...Solberg held a dedicated press conference where no adults were allowed. She responded to kids’ questions from across the country, taking time to explain why it was OK to feel scared. The originality and obviousness of the idea takes one’s breath away.” Like Ardern, Erna Solberg is an IVLP alumna, having participated in a four-week exchange program titled "Women and Private Enterprise'' in 1996 while a Member of Parliament with her two colleagues.

For nearly 50 years, Global Ties Detroit has been welcoming emerging and established global leaders like Jacinda Ardern and Erna Solberg to our community through the IVLP and other US Department of State-sponsored exchange programs to meet with SE Michigan's experts, professional counterparts, and volunteer citizen diplomats. Through these interactions – whether in person or virtually – international and local leaders exchange ideas, make connections, and share solutions on issues affecting us all: economic development, the environment, national security, public health and more.

The benefits of these exchanges are not exclusive to visiting leaders. Women throughout metro Detroit gain experiences and opportunities from these exchanges. For example, Rebel Nell, a women-led social enterprise in Detroit hosted a US Department of State-sponsored Fellow from Chile through a program with the objectives of strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem of nations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Fellow’s organization, Minka, recycles discarded fabrics while providing employment for underserved women. Through the initial Detroit exchange in 2018 and reciprocal Santiago exchange in 2019, Rebel Nell and Minka collaborated to form a partnership, creating unique products and providing expanded opportunities for women in Michigan and Chile.

From top government leaders to leading entrepreneurs, IVLP and other US Department of State-sponsored exchange programs make a positive impact on the lives of women. In turn, women make an outstanding impact in the lives of others and in our world. We look forward to celebrating achievements of women, locally and globally, throughout this month and the year ahead.

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