The Impact of Empowerment Programs and Inspiring Communities for Widows

Hello Widow Life subscribers,

It’s an absolute honor having you with us on this wild ride of widow advocacy at Widow Life! As change-makers who genuinely care, we’re teaming up to give widow care a serious boost out into the world. Thanks to Modern Widows Club, we’re not just moving mountains—we’re starting an avalanche of positive change for public health! The movement of widow care is taking steps - ever so small - toward a better future for today's and the next generation of widows to come.

For the first time, available now, I'm sharing my research essay:

"The Impact of Empowerment Programs and Inspiring Communities for Widows". https://lnkd.in/ehsEnziD

"As women live longer in the 21st century, widowhood becomes a developmental stage of life that many women face in their lifetimes, and yet, very few programs or communities exist worldwide to educate, inspire and empower these widows to lean into life, build sustainable resilience and then, turn around to release their potential in making a positive difference for themselves and in society.

In this 22 page research essay, we'll go back, and learn about widows in history for a moment to give us a frame of reference. In the early 1900’s families and churches mainly cared about widows based on religious convictions and familial obligation, but this has changed in the last century. Widows are not being served in this capacity.

It was shocking to discover that there are very few studies in general on the topic of empowering widows and little to nothing on widow mentoring or leadership. But here is something interesting- widows eventually migrate to one another. A club no one wants to join. In my daily life, I've become a literal widow 'lightening rod' because when family and friends discover in their desperate search for resources to help relive the pain and alienation that is felt by their mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, grandmothers, aunts and friends, they find out as well that there is virtually nothing available (especially affordable). So in turn, they immediately look for another widow to connect to them. From my experience, few widows will turn down a request to help another widow."

I'm thrilled to share with my LinkedIn Widow Life subscribers, like I said before, for the first time, this essay to elevate awareness for widow support programs and share their challenges, yet also, great potential worldwide.

As subscribers from such diverse backgrounds—healthcare, finance, nonprofit, media, advocacy, human rights, marketing, public health, community leadership, coaching, philanthropy, faith, widowhood, and passionate champions of human kindness—you bring a wealth of perspectives and experiences.

Like you, there was a time when I knew nothing about widowhood. Back then, I wasn’t aware of the people and places dedicated to supporting widows and their families. It was a realm I hadn’t yet discovered or felt the need to understand.

They were difficult to find when I needed them, and that sparked my journey to understand what was truly going on. I began with a Beginners Mind, because I had to, becoming a young widow suddenly without warning.

What I needed didn’t exist twenty-four years ago, and while it’s still not fully realized, we’ve made significant strides at Modern Widows Club. Today, we continue to advance the movement for widow care. Aside from raising my daughters, this is undoubtedly the most significant and meaningful work of my life today.

I want to express my gratitude to you for being here with me, alleviating the loneliness on this journey of understanding widow support globally. More importantly, your support is crucial as we strive to develop empowering and inspiring programs that make a positive impact on vital women—heads of households—within our families, workplaces, and communities.

The widows of today and tomorrow need us to face these challenges and commit to improving their support.

I’d love to know what you think of my essay!

Carolyn Moor

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P.S. 2024 Widow Empowerment Event (WEE), an inspiring day of health and wellbeing webinars for widows - Saturday, September 28, 11am-5pm ET via ZOOM sessions. Share with a widow friend, coworker or family member, or better yet gift her a $59 ticket!

Our speakers, many authors and experts, on empowerment, resilience and wellbeing topics for widows. Jonathan DePierro, PhD , Dr Lucy Hone , Joanne Cacciatore, PhD , Tara Gidus Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, ACSM-CPT , Megan Kopka, CFP?, RLP? , Jody LaVoie , Hilary Gates , Azurae Johnson Redmond, CPRS , Gini Swancy , Mary-Kate S. , Reshma Kearney, Jen J. , Jenn Fortune , Michelle W. , Janet Danio , Katie Houle and Angie Crelin.

Health & Wellbeing Support:?

-Mindfulness and Breathwork: Guiding Your Journey from Grief to Growth

-Balancing Sleep, Nutrition, and Exercise: Optimizing Wellness in Widowhood

- Author Interview: Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges 3rd Edition, with Author Jonathan DePierro, PhD

Life Support:?

-Transforming Your Home Spaces After Widowhood: Real Estate, Interior Design, and Financial Planning for a Fresh Start

-Experience Adventure: What happens in our MWC Travel and Book Club??

-Resilient Grieving: How to Find Your Way Through Devastating Loss with Author Dr. Lucy Hone?

Relational Support:?

-Thrive in Solo Parenting: Little Ones, Middles, Teens, and Adult Children?

-Navigating New Widowhood Relationships, Dating, Remarriage, and Beyond?

Work Support:?

-Widows in the Workplace: Cultivating Healthy Co-Worker Dynamics, Managing

?Emotional Triggers, and Securing Your Career?

Advocacy and Awareness:??

-Empowering Every Voice: Embracing our LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Widow Community??

BONUS Evening Session:?

-The Powerful Support of Animals for Your Mental Health with Author Dr. Joanne Cacciatore