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Me as a wee baby with my mom. On vacation in Mexico, 1977.
One day when I was 13 years old, I played hooky from school and thought I was home alone. But I was wrong. Sitting in my room, I heard the strangest sound coming from downstairs. It was the sound of the piano playing and a woman singing. I crept downstairs and was surprised – shocked, in fact – to discover that the beautiful sound emanating from the living room was coming from my mother.
Something within me knew to hide there in the stairwell, and not show that I was there listening. I had never heard her sing before. I felt moved by the beauty of it. And I felt deeply sad because I realized that this was something she never shared with other people.
I grew up as part of a legacy of women who hid the beauty and wisdom of their voices. Finding the freedom and the deep willingness to share my voice with the world, and to transform the fear, shame and self-doubt that has enshrouded my voice for years, has been my crucible. As a result, I have been perfectly designed to support other women in finding their own freedom to speak up and shine, and this service has uncorked a well-spring of joy within myself that has utterly rocked my world in the last year.
Mama-Daughter Love. Oak Creek, Sedona. Summer 2011.
No where has this been more true than with one of my exceptional “students” from 2011.
During one hot and glorious day together in Sedona this summer, it melted my heart and made me smile so much my face hurt when my mother, nearing 70 years of age and recently widowed, announced that it was time for her to share her voice with the world. And wouldn’t public speaking be the perfect place to start?
Turns out, I was launching my very first group public speaking program for women that August.
This video I’m sharing with you today (at the end of this post) is the truly epic speech my mother, Marty Baker Williams, gave at the culmination of that program this past September, The School for The Well-Spoken Woman LIVE.
Wild standing ovation at the end of my mom’s speech. Not a dry eye in the house.
I sat in the wings that night, watching her, crying my eyes out, feeling my heart soar, as I listened to my mother speak about growing up in “the silent generation” of women, and the journey she has been on to be her full, authentic self. I heard her share things I have never heard her say or share before. It was as if I was really beginning to know her…. And not as just my mother, but as a fellow woman.
I realized deep down in my bones that night, during the thunderous standing ovation at the end of her speech, that the legacy of the women of my heritage just changed: We have become a lineage of fully expressed, fully “given”, and utterly well-spoken women.
My charge to you reading this here today is to contemplate the following:
What must you say in this one precious life you have?
What must you be a stand for in this world?
How will you crank the volume up on your voice in this legendary year of 2012?
What woman can you support in also getting her voice and message out there this year?
The quickest route to discovering the freedom to speak up is to turn to another woman and encourage her to do the same. This is how we find the willingness and the courage to boldly share our voices and change the world as a result:
We do it together.
As the Shambhala Tibetan Buddists say in their meditation prayers,
“May all beings enjoy profound brilliant glory.”
I just can’t think of a more awesome, fabulous prayer.
May 2012 shock the hell out of you in the best possible ways,
and may you discover untold realms of glory and deep satisfaction from boldly sharing your voice with this world.
To you and your voice,
KC
What must you say in this one precious life you have?
What must you be a stand for in this world?
How will you crank the volume up on your voice in this legendary year of 2012?
What woman can you support in also getting her voice and message out there this year?
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That is absolutely beautiful. Indeed, KC, your Mother is a “Well-Spoken” woman. What an inspiration to have traveled so long on this journey and share it with such poise, grace and beauty. Thank you, Ms. Williams for a lovely story.
Thank you so much, Rebecca. xxoo
So beautiful KC! This post made me cry too 🙂 And the way you ended it: “May 2012 shock the hell out of you” cracked me up. This year I’m turning up the volume of my voice by speaking in front of thousands and writing my first book (which will hopefully make it into the hands of hundreds of thousands in 2013!) May we all be fully expressed, have our volume turned up, and be free!
I simply cannot wait to see you up on stage and to read this outpouring of pure genius. So gorgeous to watch you blossom, (and continue to increase in light and power), these last nearly six (!) years. What a ride…. xxoo
Beautiful. Ms. Williams thank you for sharing yourself so elegantly, you made me want to sit and talk to you for hours. I have the same quote from the Velveteen Rabbit. KC, standing ovation to you and your efforts.
Thank you, Nancy! So great to hear from you, both here and your email today. Lots of love to you
I was inspired when I saw this in person (although I didn’t know this was your mother), and I’m once again inspired. A simple and true message about finding what’s REAL, and going for it. Thank you Marty for speaking up.
I know – it was incredible in person, but totally blew me away again on video. Looking forward to hearing what continues to unfold for you in your mother/daughter project, and we’d love to participate!!
Your mom is breathtaking. I see where you get it from. Thank you and your mother so much for the willingness to share your truth with the women of the world.
With Love,
Nitika
Thank you so much, honey!! I feel so proud to be her daughter. Sending you love.
I was so moved by this! I, too, want to just sit and listen to Marty, who seems so wise, and having been in her shoes with divorce, I completely relate to where she is coming from. In fact, I changed my career to cater to women going through divorce. I so admire your work, KC, and have shared this link with many colleagues. Hope to study with you someday…
Thank you so much for passing this along, Teri. Much, much appreciated. I love you’ve transitioned to work with women going through what you’ve gone through. There is such need in the work you are doing. Keep in touch!
I really enjoyed the content of this speech. We don’t ever hear from women in Marty’s generation, what their experiences were, what challenges they’ve faced and overcome, what they desires they have – and as Marty showed – they have so much to offer us. Thank you for the wonderful gift of your speech.
Beautiful acknowledgement, Tammi. It’s so true. I think we as a culture are hungry to hear from women who are in the last third of life, as my mother says. There is such depth of wisdom and perspective and a rare beauty of the feminine that only comes with having lived through the stages of life. I’m definitely a stand my mom gets out there to speak more, and it’s a huge desire for her as well. Love to you…
This was an awsome video! As I am 43 yrs old, I have been going through my own mid life crisis and just now am (I think) understanding who I am and what I want. It is a process of learning, grieving, knowing and understanding. It is a journey of re-discovery.
Awesome Awesome Awesome! I am inspired.
Yay!!!
Thank you for sharing your mother with us! She has so inspired me. I am 57 and in just a few short years I’ll be where she is now. My mid-life crisis is behind me and I am in the process of re-inventing myself and starting my first business. You rock, Ms. Williams!
I’ll make sure she sees this. Thank you so much for sharing here, Karen! You keep rockin’… xoxo
Beautiful KC! Your mother did an amazing job. She is truly an inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Shay! She’ll love seeing all these comments. And yes – I’m totally, completely, utterly inspired by her…
xxoo
You mother is a beautiful and bold woman, KC. Please wish her all the best as she lives out loud!
Will do ~Thank you, Stormy! xxo
She is beautiful KC. Your mom really rocks!
Doesn’t she!? Totally agree with you:)
KC, your post and your mom’s speech brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing this. It’s touching on so many levels. So amazing that you can share your gift with your mom; and that she can share her wisdom and experience with all of us. What you are doing with your work is so amazing!
Ah laurie thank you so much! Feels beautiful to read this. I feel so blessed to be able to connect with my mom in this way, and both be on the journey of sharing our voices and wisdom with the world. It’s a certain kind of gorgeous intimacy I could have never imagined.
Thank you so much for reaching out here and saying this. Love,
KC
This came at the perfect time, at the perfect moment where I am not only digging deeper into my authentic self but also helping other women tune into their authentic selves. Can you imagine a world with women turned on and true to themselves? Ah, it gives me chills. Your mother is so beautiful inside and out… thank you so much for sharing this video and your gift with the world!
Wow! If there is a word to express what I felt when watching your mom´speech is ADMIRATION! You are blessed with having her in your life, she is a spark of divinity and the best mirror to look at yourself. There is something beautiful in her voice and expression that went deep inside of me… as if she was talking to my inner Self , not knowing me at all, but knowing very well that part of the unknown that, as women, we all share. Lovely and inspiring! Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful speech with a courageous women on her journey!
Mikaela Pichardo…
Thanks again for the post.Really thank you! Cool….
Colby Oshaughnessy…
Thanks a lot for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great….
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KC, So great to run into you today! What an amazing picture your mom painted so eloquently of her own transformation. She’s such an inspiration…and that doesn’t fall far from the tree. I see where you get your wisdom and moxie! I’d love to know about your events. xo
So so touching….really beautiful woman. Thank you.
Hi KC,
Your mother is very inspirational. Thank you for sharing this. I share a lot of your speeches as well as your mother’s speech with my family and friends. Simply inspirational.
Maddie
KC,
Wow! What an amazing speech your mother gave! Her message resonated with me as I am in the middle of my midlife and am doing exactly as she is describing. I love how she talked about her generation and what was expected of them and how it created the first third of her life. It lends a perspective to me as I transition in my midlife and create my messaging for others.
She has inspired me to speak my truth for my generation and how it has affected the younger generation as well.
I am a WomanSpeak Introduction Leader this year and started my own life coaching business also.
Life is a journey and I also want to die living it!
Thank your mom for her contribution!
Love and hugs,
Donna