This afternoon, I was in a room with more famous people than I have shared a room with in a long time. Here is the group who introduced the Sustainable Development Goals:
Included in this group are Victoria Beckham (introduced Goal 3 – Health and Well Being), Queen Rania Al Abdullah (introduced Goal 4 – Quality Education), Alek Wek (introduced Goal 5 – Gender Equality), Ahmed Mohamed (introduced Goal 9 – Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), Connie Britton (introduced Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production), and Adrian Grenier (introduced Goal 14 – Life Below Water).
Later in the day, Ian Somerhalder facilitated a conversation. In addition, Ashley Judd participated in a conversation called Planning Her Own Path and reinforced all the great things I came to believe about her when I reviewed her book, All That is Bitter and Sweet, about her life and her work with Population Services International.
By the end of a day which began with a detail-heavy discussion of world immunization issues with the Director of GAVI, Seth Berkley and ended many speeches later with Michelle Nunn’s admonition to play a part in “building a truly just world and eradicating poverty,” my head was swimming with a mix of information and information.
It would be impossible to pin down one favorite quote from the day. I am left juggling in my head a bit of awe and mystification at the social media reach some people have, at how I fumbled for my phone the minute Victoria Beckham took the stage but not when other people who are as accomplished (or more) but less high profile in the entertainment world did so.
I loved Ashley Judd’s line: hurting to healing to helping (captured in this tweet).
I am grateful that because I have written about the cause of access to immunization for children worldwide and been an advocate, I have this opportunity to be a Social Good Fellow.
And I can only hope that I can be a small (or big!) part in helping someone somewhere go from hurting to healing to helping …
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
What a pleasure it was for me to meet you IRL and share this wonderful experience with you. So inspiring and motivating. #2030NOW Xxoo
You too!!!! I truly enjoyed it and only wish it had been longer!
I’ve never been in a room with a group of famous people. That would have been so exciting for me,especially knowing how many of them care about matters that impact the common man/woman.. Once your mind sorts out the overload of the day, I’m sure you’ll be amazed at how much you learned.
I think I will be amazed too! I already am, just trying to sort it all out. Thanks for your comment!