Prevent Child Abuse Arizona Executive Director Claire Louge recently shared this article highlighting her take on why kindness can heal and change people, even when nothing else can.
In October, I attended a Prevent Child Abuse America board meeting in Chicago. Part of the time was focused on celebrating the life of SuEllen Fried, a beloved Prevent Child Abuse America lifetime board member, who passed away on October 3 at the age of 92.
The stories shared by the staff and board members who knew her were a gift to listen to. It was moving to feel how she had impacted so many. It wasn’t only the work she did that had changed lives, it was who she was that changed lives.
I didn’t know SuEllen well, but the few times I had met her were unforgettable. She was the kind of person who would make you feel deeply, unquestionably valuable and important. She made you feel seen. She called out the best in you because of her boundless, unshakable kindness.
Kindness has that power. Kindness is deeply memorable. And kindness can heal and change people, even when nothing else can.
SuEllen sometimes wore a green button that read “Power of Kindness.” She would occasionally gift one of these buttons to people she had just met, like a valet at the hotel, or to people she knew, like a longtime colleague. Getting one of these buttons became a literal badge of honor. It was magic. It sustained the power of kindness in its wearer.
I’ve often reflected that when we boil down this work – the work you’re doing in whatever way related to child or family wellbeing, or when it comes to parenting– it’s essentially all about kindness.
Though we may have a knack for complicating things and making that complexity feel very important, it’s actually just about being kind. And we can all be kind. We are all fully capable of this potentially life-changing power.
We learn about kindness early, but many of us forget or undervalue its power as we get older. SuEllen never did.
I hope you know, or will meet, someone like SuEllen. I hope you and I get to be someone like SuEllen. Our own versions, of course.
The power of kindness. May we all be remembered for wielding that power with all our might.
Editor’s Note: look for the Strong Families, Happy Kids column in every issue of Prescott Woman Magazine. It’s designed to support parents with actionable tips and strategies they can use to create optimal environments for their children to thrive. To learn more about Prevent Child Abuse Arizona’s mission and resources visit www.pcaaz.org