Jerrie Ueberle is a woman with a BIG vision that first showed itself when in 1984 she was invited to go to China with a delegation of speech pathologists and audiologist to speak in hospitals around China about speech and hearing disorders. Inspired by the interest of the doctors, she returned home and started a non-profit organization, Global Interactions. She began to organize and take other professional groups to meet their counterparts in China. More than 80 groups were formed and participated. In 1995, she attended the United Nations 4th Women's World Forum in Beijing with 40,000 women from around the world and recognized the despair and opportunity that impacts the inequality of women. This was THE cause that called her name. This commitment was the first seed of her Big Vision.

She remained curious, knowing that the next chapter of her life was unfolding. By now, Jerrie was 59 and had been widowed twice. She believed what could impact the world most was to get more women's voices at the leadership table. She started as a Board Member at Sias University, an American-owned university in Xinzheng, Henan, a rural, remote province of 100 million people, primarily agrarian, living in villages. She began to make connections and learn the culture.

Shawn Chen, an American entrepreneur was the founder and president of Sias University. She boldly shared her vision with him of what she now calls The World Academy for the Future of Women:

"The words came out of my mouth about a bold and daring leadership program for women and Shawn was listening. I didn't know what I was saying, I didn't know how this would come to be, but I did know My Why. Shawn saw another a vision of his own: the first female President of China would come from this World Academy! So, let's do this!"

With no time to catch her breath, Jerrie needed facilitators to design the global leadership program with roles that would address and achieve the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. Beginning on the Henan Province campus of Sias University in 2009, The World Academy for the Future of Women began with 100 women, which today is now a multi-level four-year program for women, along with The Men's Academy for the Future of Women, a program requested by male students which replicates and prepares men to support the advancement of women.

Yes, I was one of those Founding Facilitators!

I had just sold Cookies from Home, my identity had disappeared, and I had no plan. What I did have was a passion for helping women grow, 30 years in growing a woman-owned multi-million-dollar business, and 7 years as a high school English teacher.

Besides having "a broken heart and an experience of a bruised knee...which told me that this person had fallen but gotten back up again," Jerrie required only three things: each facilitator had to pay their own way to get to China, be willing to stay 5 weeks in the Faculty Dorm for room and board, and had to deliver a four week curriculum on leadership. I could do this!!!! www.wafw.org

This was my calling to grow a greater humanity, to widen the vision of what's possible, specifically for women who lacked higher education, confidence, courage, and in too many cases, were victims of domestic violence.

I wanted to do this...and I needed to do this...and so I did! And, the experience changed my life at a time when I needed it most. Think about it. If this experience calls to your heart and soul, get connected to www.wafw.org

As of today, The World Academy for the Future of Women has four more locations offering the same principles for humanity following the original model in China:

• Nepal, in 2017 @ Orchid International College in Katmandu
• Bangladesh, in 2018 @ The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh in Dhaka
• India, in 2023 @ the Government Degree College for Women – Begumpet in Hyderabad.
• Mexico, in 2003 @ the Universidad Autonomous de Baja California in Mexicali, Mexico.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) are under discussion in 3 African countries and Poland.

The Purpose of The World Academy remains the same in every location: to advance and accelerate the leadership of women worldwide. The outcome for every student is to become a global citizen with their own unique leadership qualities.

Although Jerrie's home base is in Phoenix, she's rarely home. She was granted special consultancy status by The United Nations to support the achievement of the Sustainable Goals. These 17 goals address basic human needs and are the basis of projects developed by World Academy members as part of their curriculum and training. She supports women "to have a voice and a choice, and to create the future they want to live for themselves and others. They develop the courage to innovate ideas on the move that incorporate the human element with technology."

Jerrie's advice to you is to "choose what inspires you...what really gets you excited! Make decisions on your own future, no compromising! When you say you will retire in 7 years...or when your kids graduate college, consider other options .......DO IT NOW!!"

If retirement or the next chapter is calling your name, if I can help you realize your vision in business and lifestyle, email me. Let's make it happen now! Susan@SusanLBrooks.com.