The Courage (and Power) of One.I love this phrase. I've used it as a theme for a number of articles over the years. Even better is celebrating those who are actually putting the phrase into action. It's a great way to not only illustrate their courage, but to inspire others to take up their own causes.
So celebrate we will!
Our very first Courage of One recipient is Jenn Gibbons.
After "kicking breast cancer's butt" herself, Jenn created
ROW - Recovery on Water - a Chicago-based organization providing support and group exercise for others who are fighting or have beaten breast cancer.
Jenn also created
Row 4 ROW, a fund raiser during which she is rowing the perimeter of Lake Michigan - an amazing 1,500 miles! When she finishes, she will be the first woman ever to do so.
As we all know, however, life doesn't always unfold as we have planned. Midway through her trip, while sleeping on her boat one night in northern Michigan, Jenn was sexually assaulted. She was able to escape and had the presence of mind to lock herself in a public restroom. She was further able to give police a very accurate description of her assailant as well as a vehicle she'd seen nearby.
With an incredible show of courage, Jenn says, "I still believe that there are more good people in the world than bad. I still believe that life is a gift, even when it's scary and unfair. I still believe that life offers us the privilege, the opportunity, and the responsibility, to give something back, even when people try to take things away from us."
Her tenacity is in overdrive as well. She continued her trip, now accompanied by a team of volunteers. Her exact arrival back in Chicago is uncertain due to weather on Lake Michigan. What is certain is that she is very near her finish line.
And donations are still very much appreciated.
Congratulations, Jenn, for showing us the power and courage of one!
