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From the Blog of Nathaniel J. Clevenger - The Middle East via the Northwest
January 12, 2007
http://nathanielclevenger.blogspot.com
The buzz around the room last night at the Governor Hotel's Renaissance Room was that Mara Rudman would be Secretary of State one day. That's if, of course, there is ever another Blue Stater in the White House.

It's too bad we have to wait that long. This is one smart, capable leader. Ms. Rudman, "Mara," to her friends (which now thankfully includes me and about 100 people here in Portland), spoke last night to a group of business and civic leaders congregated by Friend of 3, Cindy Tortorici. Cindy is the talented and creative founder of The Link for Women, a smart organization focused on helping women "reach their full potential." Mara was in Portland to share her views on the complex political challenges in the Middle East -- a subject on which she is an internationally-respected leader.

Joining Mara was Mrs. Jeri Rice. I pause here for a moment, as I need to find the best way to describe Jeri. Imagine Barbara Walters, Barbara Streisand, Liza Minelli and Queen Noor all rolled into one. That's Jeri. First, she's beautiful. Sure, I'm a guy so that's what I notice first. Not just beautiful, though, distinctively so. Someone you would not forget if you met her. Because she is not only a show-stopper, she is a bundle of vivacious positive power. One of those people you too rarely meet for the first time who leaves you with the impression that she is your very best friend and always will be. She is a fashion icon in this land of Birkenstock's and purple fleece. But, she also a "Citizen Diplomat." This unique distinction was bestowed on Jeri by Congress on June 7, 2005. As such, she is expected to be an active participant in understanding, exploring, and promoting humanitarian solutions for the Middle East.

Joining this dynamic duo was M. J. Rosenberg, a respected voice on the Middle East and the Director of Policy Analysis at the Israel Policy Forum. "MJ" was a contributor to the Iraq Study Group report, which according to Amazon.com ranks a dismal 619 on the list of most-purchased books. Mara worked for the co-author, Lee Hamilton. And, she currently works with another co-author, former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger. So, if anyone is in a position to know what's "top of mind" on how to get out of Iraq it's Mara.

Oddly enough, after several attempts we could not get one Portland-based reporter to agree to meet with Mara, MJ or Jeri. They weren't bleeding or lost in a Cascade snow drift, so the response from the "press" is not surprising. Still, for all the controversy over the war on terror, you'd think our local reporters would want to hear from people who are on a first name basis with Middle Eastern leaders on both sides (or is it 400 sides?) of the conflict(s). Jeri Rice should be hailed as a hometown hero for her work. She runs a successful fashion boutique and could be sunning herself in Palm Springs rather than standing in lines with Palestinian workers trying to gain work visas to Jerusalem.

Fortunately, Cindy Tortorici's crowd was out in force.

My impressions:

-- Jeri Rice should be giving more presentations around the region. Young women, especially, need to hear her story of business struggles followed by business success and how it led her to an international stage. Jeri's on a first name basis with Fidel Castro. You should learn how that happened. It's fascinating.

-- M.J. Rosenberg's point-of-view is every bit as important as Thomas Friedman's. He's a solid Washington wonk with a heart of gold. He is well-respected by all sides in the Middle East.

-- Mara Rudman is a star on the rise. After the event, several of us went downstairs to Jake's to have a drink and reflect on the evening. An older gentleman walked up to our table and introduced himself. He had been in the audience earlier in the evening. "I am Greek," he said. The accent was a dead give away. A handsome man, he proceeded to gently chide Mara about how little the Greek community gets respect from the American diplomatic corps. Mara bluntly, but thoughtfully, rejected his point-of-view and challenged him to sit for a longer conversation. Her direct approach demonstrated a steele-backed point-of-view. This is no pushover. After a few seconds, it was clear who was going to dominate the discussion. The gentleman changed his view within thirty seconds and left chastened, but wiser for the encounter.

-- All urged the crowd to "write your Congressman." I have a difficult time excepting that this has much affect. Too many wasted hours in Senator Byrd -- later Senator Trible's -- mailroom I guess. I do, however, think it important to call the offices of Members and express your opinions to staffers. Having worked in those offices, a well-timed phone call has as much if not more affect than a letter. Be aware, though, many offices keep lists of contributors. If you are on that list, your call is taken a bit more seriously.

Finally, I was reminded how surprising Portland can be. Getting 100 women out on a very cold night is no easy feat. And to see them stay until the last question was answered is amazing. I saw no cynicism in that room. I saw interested people who want answers to intractable problems from people who have first hand experience in the Middle East. Portland is special that way.

Nellie Cashman Finalists Announced
September 2004
www.womenbusinessowners.org

At the June WBO Luncheon, the four finalists of the 2004 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Award were announced. The award recognizes and honors a woman business owner who has enhanced the status of women entrepreneurs through her vision, perseverance, and fearless, relentless leadership in business and the community. Please join us at this year's Nellie Cashman Awards will be held on October 1 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seattle.

The 2004 Finalists Are:
Inez Gray, Habitude
Kay Hira, Studio 904
Mimi Kirsch, Paradigm Communications Group
Jeri Rice, Jeri Rice
Leslie Williams, Williams Marketing



Press Release in Seattle Magazine
August 2004
115 Best Shops
by Kathy Schultz

''THE CLOSET OF SEATTLE’S STYLISH WOMEN....an enthusiastic coterie of saleswomen at JERI RICE (421 University St.; 206.624.4000) ready to outfit you in the latest Burberry or Jean Paul Gaultier ensemble.''


Women & Democracy - Linking the women of the world
2002-08-08
by Jane Meyer
Mercer Island Reporter

Jeri Rice is no stranger to volunteering. She's been on the board of PONCHO, the Seattle Rep and the Seattle Symphony. She's chaired galas, worked on committees, donated money. A fashion diva and owner of Jeri Rice women's fashion boutique in the Olympic Four Seasons Hotel, she's a well-known supporter of the arts.
``My focus has always been art,'' she said. ``I love beautiful things.''
Now she's found a new passion, one that is literally changing the direction of her life.

She is a founding member of the Center for Women & Democracy at the University of Washington, a public-private partnership promoting women's participation and leadership in local, national and international affairs.
Its goal is nothing less than changing the world by ensuring that women hold leadership positions in this country and in other countries throughout the world.
Housed at the University of Washington and supported by donations, the non-partisan organization is run by a 40-woman board of directors that reads like a who's who of powerful women in the state. It includes CEOs, deans, attorneys, professors, executives, as well as Attorney General Christine Gregoire and Island resident Meredith Tall, CEO of Clipper Navigation.
If you haven't heard of the Center for Women & Democracy, just wait. You will.
The organization is celebrating its second anniversary, and in two years it's flourished ``beyond our wildest dreams,'' said Rice. ``You can never anticipate the power of 40 women.''

Development director Linda Kaye, a Mercer Island resident, explained that the organization hosted seven receptions, held a breakfast with Gloria Steinem, put on a dinner for the Cuban ambassador, held a week-long leadership training for undergraduate students, worked on planning for a trip to the Baltic countries and partnered on a project in Morocco to train Muslim women running for office in that country -- and that was in the month of June alone.
``It's exploded,'' she said. ``The dynamic energy of this board is so powerful.''
At a time when many nonprofit organizations are struggling to merely stay in existence, the growth of Women in Democracy is a phenomenon. When asked about the budget, Kaye said the center needs to raise $1 million this year to run its programs.
``So many women have told me that this is the time for this idea. It has resonated with women --because it's the right thing to do,'' said Rice.

The organization has a three-pronged approach: Leadership, networking and research.
Its leadership focus is NEW (National Education for Women's) Leadership, a training initiative for undergraduate women which begins with a six-day residential institute followed by workshops throughout the year. This summer, 40 students gathered at the University of Washington with numerous leaders in residence, women leaders from the region representing a variety of fields.
This summer, as part of the center's Inspiring Lives lecture series, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and author/activist Gloria Steinem came to Seattle to speak.

As part of its Global Women's Missions, the center sends a delegation to visit one foreign country each year in an effort to link women leaders of the world and build a worldwide network of support for women leaders. The idea is that women have a unique ability to make connections that transcend politics.
In January 2002, the center accomplished an historic success when a delegation of 41 women, led by Sen. Maria Cantwell, traveled to Cuba.
Representing business, technology, education, health care, agriculture and politics, the women met with their counterparts in Cuba, a country in which 46 percent of the ministers in the government are women.
The idea was to explore the political social and economic structure of Cuba, to make connections with Cuban leaders, to open dialogue that can bring about change.
They spent four hours with Cuban President Fidel Castro -- an unforgettable experience, according to Rice.
``I felt such a strong connection with the Cuban people,'' Rice said. ``I saw in them such joy, and a love of families, music -- and America. One man came up to me and said `God bless you.' And I said `He has.'''

As a result of their trip, Washington, the most trade-dependent state in the country, sold $4.5 million in apples, lentils and peas to Cuba. Rice and her husband, Greg, and their son, Harrison, hosted a dinner in their home this summer for the Cuban ambassador, Dagoberto Rodriguez Barrerra, to celebrate the sale, the first in more than 40 years since economic sanctions were imposed on Cuba in 1961.

But the Center for Women & Democracy isn't resting on its laurels.
The Cuba trip was just one link in the chain to connect women of the world and make it a better place. The board is planning its next delegation to Sweden and the Baltic countries.
``The vision is to connect women leaders globally,'' said Christine Di Stefano, director of the Center for Women & Democracy. ``If there are women at the table, decisions will be different.''
Since many of the women on the board of the Center for Women & Democracy have achieved success in male-dominated careers, working with women is a new experience for them.
``The added bonus is that they have so much fun together,'' said Di Stefano. ``They're finding a particular joy in working with women, and connecting with other women leaders.''
For Rice -- and doubtless for the other women on the board -- her involvement in Women & Democracy has given her a global perspective that she was ready for in her life.
``I wanted to make a shift in my life, to connect with people I'd not have the chance to meet. . .I'm middle-aged now and I wanted to be involved in something really important. . .so I can say to myself I tried to change the world for the better.''

The Center for Women & Democracy is at 206 Cunningham Hall, Box 351380, Seattle, WA 98195; phone 206-685-3474.

 






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