Our mission is to advance democracy by bridging generational divides and creating inclusive opportunities for civic engagement. We are dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages to actively participate in democratic processes and community building. Our purpose is to ensure that every voice is heard and valued, fostering a society where all generations can work together to achieve social, economic and environmental justice for all.
LEAD aims to strengthen the democratic fabric of our communities and ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to contribute to the decision-making processes that shape our future through the dynamic synergy between wisdom and experience and the energy and hope for the future embodied in our youth.
We are committed to working towards a more inclusive, engaged, and empowered society.
Securing a just and equitable future requires courage, commitment, compassion, vision and hope. These are the themes of LEAD’s podcast, LEADing Justice with Dr. Janet Dewart Bell.
We are pleased to share the vision and wisdom of our acclaimed guests in our first series of episodes. If you missed any, they are available on the LEADing Justice website and wherever you listen to podcasts.
We look forward to sharing the insights and wisdom of the stellar lineup of guests in our second series of episodes, which will be available in the coming weeks.
The June 16, 2022 online edition of The New York Times included 'I Feed Proud, and I Feel Mad as Hell': Gloria Steinem on Ms. Magazine and Feminism Today.
LEAD founder and president, Dr. Janet Dewart Bell, an early contributor to Ms., is quoted in the piece alongside Gloria Steinem, Lettie Cottin Pogrebin and Alice Walker. We have included Dr. Bell's quotes below and encourage you to read the entire article, which is linked on this page.
Question: Why the name Ms.?
Dr. Bell: My mother thought the title “Ms.” was absolutely brilliant — that it brought dignity, that it brought power and understanding of equality. She felt, even though she never used the term “intersectionality,” that it made women more alike than different.
Question: Early issues of Ms. featured an argument for gender-neutral pronouns, a piece about the Black family and feminism, and a proclamation signed by 53 women, including Anaïs Nin and Billie Jean King, that “we have had abortions.” Were you ahead of your time, or has the country moved backward?
Dr Bell: One of the things about Ms. that I most appreciated was the willingness to tackle all sorts of issues. My husband and I had a conversation some years ago with Letty, who was trying to give up her white privilege. And he said, “Well, you can’t do that. But what you can do is use your white privilege as you have done to advance racial and other kinds of justices.”
Question: What do you say to young women when they ask you where we go from here?
Dr. Bell: We have to really be very aware that there are people who are hungry for information, even though sometimes they’re tired. But we have to say it in a way, simplify it in a way that does not dumb down but it makes it accessible to people. People who don’t understand their history don’t understand that they have a future.
LEAD promotes transformative and systemic social justice by engaging multiple generations and diverse groups to integrate experience with innovation. Our programs are always focused on solutions to our social, political, and moral challenges. We do this, while also acknowledging the people who have and continue to lead the way.
It is therefore fitting that we present this Celebration of Mothers and Women who Stand for Justice and Peace, with Imani Wallace (Lyrical Faith), and a performance by the Valley Stream Central High School Chorus Freedom Quartet.
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