Role Models

This week Oprah made international news this week by announcing that her show will end in 2011. I’ve got to admit, I was a little wistful about it. I’m not an avid Oprah watcher; in fact I’ve not watched her for years. But I love Oprah, because she’s been a role model.

Before you mention it, no I’m not into all the spirituality stuff .Yes, like every talk show, sometimes you wonder if it’s a bit exploitative, whether all that sharing is necessary. And maybe some are cynical about her influence in the publishing industry, or even the election. I’m sure there are a million things we could say. But I said she was a role model, not a Saviour; she didn’t need to be perfect. She just needed to be there.

In my teens I looked for role models, women of colour who were dark skinned, who were not dancers or singers or athletes. Not because there was anything wrong with those women; not at all. It was simply that just because I could dance, and sing and be sporty, it didn’t mean that was what I wanted to do with my life, and I didn’t like the idea when those roles were assumed to be my destiny. I didn’t want a stereotype. After school I watched a lot of TV, searching for a different ending. I found two particular women that stood out to me. Claire Huxtable and Oprah Winfrey – and Claire was a fictional character! So that left Oprah to inspire. I won’t sound like a devoted fan, because I barely remember any of her shows or comments. I just needed to see her that’s all; to see that she had reached beyond what was expected and assumed of her. It was good to see her there every day. The world is different today. My daughters see their skin tone in the White House and shout “Obama’s butterscotch like me!” and play on completely carefree. But then, Oprah was evidence that a way was being paved to make a different future possible.

When I am speaking and working, THE conversation I always have with young women (especially those who are leaders) is about mentoring. There are women looking, longing for role models. They don’t need us to be perfect, they need us to be present, loving the lord, living the life – wherever that might be. They need more than fictional or historical or even TV hosts, they need us.  Are we ready and available to make the time to raise up the next generation? Some of us are still waiting to be raised ourselves, and wait in hope. I wonder if it’s time to be intentional with this and start mentoring anyway…

Back to today, I stay wistful and thankful for the people whom by their life and example, bid me to push forward. Ms. Oprah Winfrey, I salute you.