"Mimi, you are going to America!"My life's journey began in a village on the island of Bohol. It was there that my parents gave me up for adoption to my mother's older sister - Auntie Crispina, also called Auntie Pining, who lived in America. Sadly, Auntie Pining lost her two young children and her first husband during World War II. After the war, Auntie Pining who was a risk-taker journeyed by herself to the U.S., met and married Uncle Diego in California, and because they had no children of their own decided to adopt one of my birth mother's nine children.I remember one afternoon in 1958, when I was only eight years old, while walking home from school I saw my mother in the distance walking quickly towards me and calling out my name "Mimi", which was my family nickname. She seemed excited but somewhat sad at the same time. She said, "Mimi, you are going to America. You are going to school and live with your aunt and uncle in California. Isn't that wonderful?" My response was one of innocence and ignorance. I did not know where America was and how far away it was, but I had heard it was a beautiful place; rich, with streets paved with gold. So I said, as I hugged my mother,"Wow, I am going to America."This is an excerpt from one of the stories in the 2nd book of the FWN Filipina Women Leadership Series. It tracks a young Filipina girl's leadership journey. DISRUPT 2.0. Filipina Women: Daring to Lead is designed to highlight the leadership competencies of successful global Filipina women. The Filipina women leaders who shared their leadership stories in both books have been awarded either a Global FWN100(TM) award (after 2013) or a U.S. FWN100(TM) award (2007-2012) or both. FWN established the award as part of its strategy to recognize Filipina woman leaders in every economic sector.DISRUPT 2.0 celebrates, affirms, and acknowledges Filipina women whose vision and impact go beyond the boundaries of the Philippines. This book is a celebration of Filipina women who have achieved success in their professional careers and made a difference by their practice of leadership; an affirmation of the leadership competencies of Filipina women with a global mindset. The book's purpose is to inspire, motivate, and nurture women world-wide, not just Filipina women, who: - Have leadership responsibilities in cross-cultural and global situations;- Seek leadership development opportunities in the diaspora environment; and- Teach leadership not only to inform but also to transform.The work of the Filipina Women's Network (FWN) is pivotal in the process of recognizing the leadership of Filipina women through the annual FWN100(TM) Global awards. This book examines the leadership themes that were successfully used in various global settings. The competencies which constitute the "how" of leadership are significant, but the greater significance is the "why" of leadership. The "why" of leadership for most of these women made reference to finding purpose and meaning in life, achieving impact in their work, and giving back to their local communities.The authors examined their leadership qualities, their leadership actions, and their own leadership development process. Despite experiencing disruptions in their lives, the authors keep taking additional steps forward. In their own unique ways, these women disrupted the status quo and became strategists.Disrupt 1.0 ended with leadership tips. Disrupt 2.0 authors focused on the leadership competencies they have learned over time. FWN Founder and CEO, Marily Mondejar, inspired the use of the Center for Creative Leadership's "Benchmarks by Design" as a guide for the authors:1. What skills and competencies got you to where you are today?2. What skills and competencies did you have to learn that got you to the next leadership level?3. What skills and competencies do you need to acquire or learn to sustain your current leadership level?
About the Author: The 35 authors of DISRUPT 2.0. Filipina Women: Daring to Lead. are recipients of Filipina Women's Network's 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award from seven countries - United States, Philippines, United Kingdom, China, Singapore, Canada and Thailand. They describe their actual experiences; hardships and successes from the bottom to the upper ranks in foreign and local workplaces. These women were driven from contemplation to action. They took pleasure in the disruptions they initiated in their personal and professional lives that resulted in achievement. The stories the authors describe have two prevailing themes that make these women truly extraordinary; the opportunity to learn and the courage to face the uncertainties that came with the challenges. Courage was required to leave the comfort of family and extended family to live in a country whose culture often clashed with their values. But they learned to accept a new way of life and embrace the opportunity. Courage was required to start a business or embark on a career path that might take years to succeed and become corporate savvy. Courage was required to seek economic, social, political, and personal opportunities to improve their lives. But they learned to become global citizens. The stories in this book are impressive, refreshing, and practical. Many corporations and organizations can learn from the wealth of information in these stories and based on the stories of success, rethink their talent search efforts and development to include Filipina women. This book reminds me of my Mom, the first feminist I ever knew and her advice: "Do not ever depend on anyone else for your livelihood. Be the person who signs the paycheck, not the one waiting to see if you will get one. Make sure you always have extra cash, cash inside your bra, walking around money." But her most important advice was to share your gifts and your blessings. "Pay them forward. Continue to build your resume not just with degrees but also with accomplishments you would like to make for your community," she continued. These authors leave a legacy to remember. - Marily Mondejar, Founder and CEO Filipina Women's Network