I am still so inspired from an incredible evening last night with Leigh Anne Tuohy. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps you might remember Sandra Bullock‘s Oscar-winning performance as Leigh Anne Tuohy in the movie The Blindside. Leigh Anne came to Montreal to speak to 800 Jewish women for our yearly fundraiser called Choices. I was fortunate enough to chair this event a few years ago, and it’s one of my favorite events of the year. Each year, we bring in a different woman who has had to make brave choices in her life… we have seen Marlee Matlin, and many other inspirational women.
To read more about Leigh Anne’s story, click here: http://www.federationcja.org/iPro/WPH/20130729-13165/bio.pdf
I encourage you to watch this little video first if you aren’t familiar with the Tuohy Family and Michael Oher story.
I didn’t take any notes because I wanted to be fully present and in the moment. Therefore today, I will leave you only with a powerful message that truly resonated for me, and made me want to do more:
“All I did was one random act of kindness. I simply offered a boy hope, love and opportunity– and that changed his life. Taking a risk, and taking a chance on someone is one of the greatest things you can ever do. We see a dirty, or smelly person or someone in old clothes, and we judge them. Instead of judging them, why not offer them a chance? I am not saying you have to adopt a 6 foot 6, 330 pound teenage black boy, but there are Michael Oher’s in every nook and cranny of this world, and if you spot someone in need, offer them something. Offer them anything. You’ve got two choices in life: You can be on the sidelines or you can be in the game. Provide chances for someone else. Do something.”
When I went home, I told my husband I want to do more. I need to do more.
But I guess that was the point of the evening…
Wow what a powerful message. This is definitely something a lot of people should be doing more of and I am going to from mow on.
Loved this message. What an inspiring woman!