By: Hannah Franz 

“Always remember that the future comes one day at a time.”

– Dean Acheson

When I read about one of my causes or learn about a new issue, a very emotional reaction often follows.  Emotional reactions have gotten a bad rap as people will attribute spontaneous actions to these reactions.  These reactions are what motivate people to take action and not settle for the present state.  They tell us what is wrong and then push us to brainstorm on ways to improve the situation.

It was through various travels, along with an increasing awareness of the inequalities women in developing countries face on a daily basis, that The Women’s International Fund for Education became an idea. The founders and board members all have an emotional tie and passion for the change education can make in one’s life.  We know that education is an extremely powerful tool and want access to be an opportunity everyone is afforded.

Sometimes we can have an initial reaction that evokes something inside us, but that sole reaction will not be enough to make a real difference.  The spark that keeps the fire ignited is a constant pursuit of research while seeking out, building, and joining networks, and continually advocating for your cause. That initial lightening bolt is all you need to make a difference; however, all talk and no action will lead to a complainer that will fall upon deaf and bored ears.  You can know all the facts and have researched your cause endlessly, but if you are just wanting to be a know-it-all dwelling in the negative of the world, people aren’t going to care or take you seriously.

I often think of all the wonderful things I want to do for the world and how easy it will be to accomplish them.  I also fail to acknowledge all the steps that must be taken and the hoops one has to jump through to simply get the ball rolling.  W.I.F.E. was not established in a month, a year, or even two.  It took three years for us to become an official tax exempt 501(c)-3 nonprofit. While waiting for our status to be approved we would hold meetings, events, and fundraisers as if we were a non-profit to sustain momentum.  While we waited, our passion would not allow us to be stagnant.  The confidence that we would one day gain non-profit status kept us going even though there was no guarantee that we would meet our goals.

Be solution focused.  Be patient.  Don’t give up.

If you know you were meant to make a change and you know what you truly care about, you will be unstoppable.  Nothing is going to happen quickly, but every inch will accumulate – and eventually you will be making a difference on some scale.  Persist.