Just this week, several parents showed up wearing pink armbands as symbols of support for girls-only sports as their daughters played in a soccer game. You would have thought a tornado warning had gone into effect. Officials sprang into action.

They stopped the game, demanded the parents remove their pink armbands, and issued police-enforced “No Trespassing” orders against the parents.

We have seen a man declared one of USA Today’s “Women of the Year” – a woman in the highest court in our land can’t define what a woman is and men are still knocking it out of the ballpark in ‘girls only’ sporting events. In this woman’s humble opinion, women had better unite around truth if things are ever going to get back on track – we are not obligated to participate in other peoples fantasies!

In 1971, Hellen Reddy came out with the hit song, “I am Woman.” It was heard during the closing credits for the 1972 film Stand Up and Be Counted. “I Am Woman” is about female empowerment; Reddy said she wanted to write a song to inspire women. It did. Helen Reddy died in 2020, but I have to wonder where she would have stood on our current ‘woman’ controversy?!

Here’s a selection from part of her famous song: I am woman hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore, and I know too much to go back an’ pretend.” Pretend? Humm! I also have to wonder if those words would even be allowed on some social media outlets today, knowing of the sensitivity of our ‘woke’ crowd and their hurry to censure anything and everything they don’t approve of.

Thankfully, there are many amazing, strong women working behind the scenes these days bringing truth, family structure, and Godly values to our lives. There’s a gal I know personally who was married fairly young at 20 to a great Christian man. They had known each other since they were children. They had a beautiful wedding, attended by almost everyone in their church family, but within just five months tragedy struck. Due to complications from a rare type of cancer, her husband passed away.

Of course, she was devastated as her life was turned upside down. She lost her home, declared bankruptcy and moved back in with her parents. It was rough going, but she eventually got back on her feet, moved into her own place again, and rebuilt her life. Five years later, this young lady remarried and eventually had two beautiful daughters.

One day, a position opened up for her at a local Christian school – they needed a new principal and she jumped at the chance to not only enroll her daughters but also build up a local school with Godly values and truth. And she did exactly that. The school has grown with integrity and values that parents stand behind and support. It’s an amazing story, actually of a successful, confident, and courageous young woman.

So – how do I how this lady? Well – actually, this is my youngest daughter Susanne. She is a no-nonsense gal who I would nominate in a heartbeat for a real Woman of the Year. But, then again, I’m her mom!

If we want to turn things around, I think it’s time we step up and start celebrating every woman we know of who is doing their best to bring incontestable truth to our local communities – because that’s where change has to start – at the local level.

Mother’s Day is in a few weeks – take time to personally thank a good mom, or a great school teacher, or a mom-neighbor – it’s an uphill battle these days, but it’s not impossible.

Sheryl Sandberg has said: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” She is wrong! Let’s go with what Margaret Thatcher said instead: “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.’ As someone toasted – “Here’s to strong women; may we know them. May we be them. May we raise them!”

I’m personally in line with this super-cool quote: “As for my girls, I’ll raise them to think they breathe fire!”

Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurch.org

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The High Desert local proved her community impact over dozens of women who were nominated for the award throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Cannon is the President and CEO of the Academy for Grassroots Organizations (AcademyGO), a Barstow 501c3 organization founded in 2001 that connects nonprofit professionals and volunteers throughout the Inland Empire region with resources and mentors.

Founded in 1941, the Inland Empire Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation serving the Inland region, according to the nonprofit’s website. The Foundation has dispensed more than $212 million in grants and scholarships since its inception, including scholarships to every college and university within San Bernardino and Riverside counties. 

Cannon was honored with the award for her dedication to empowering Inland Empire nonprofits, Nefertiti Long told the Daily Press, Women’s Giving Fund Committee Chair.

“I am honored to lead the Women’s Giving Fund committee,” she said. “This year, we received an extraordinary eighty applications from all over the region. Among this impressive group, Debbie Cannon truly stood out [for] helping [nonprofits] broaden their reach and impact.”

Cannon donates her winnings to three charity groups that support women in the Inland Empire: Moses House Ministries, Her Sisters Keeper Foundation, and AcademyGo. To donate or apply for IE Community Foundation funds like the first-time home buyers Down Payment Assistance Program or student scholarships, visit www.iegives.org.

IECF – Woman’s Giving Fund

The Women’s Giving Fund (WGF) partners with the IECF to spotlight exceptional women in the San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

It was established in 2017 by a diverse group of professional women to learn about women’s economic security issues. The philanthropic mission of the WGF focuses on supporting issues that impact women and children.

WGF has given over $249,000 in grants to nonprofits and research benefiting women and families.

The Women’s Giving Fund also released its commissioned research study at the IECF Spring Fling, entitled “Thriving in the Inland Empire: Women and Well-Being through the Lens of Vital Conditions.”

This data helps the Women’s Giving Fund best allocate where award funds are needed throughout the Inland Empire community.

The study revealed that most women are struggling in the Inland Empire. More specifically, it reported that most women are uncertain about their future and face financial stress, unstable resources, and emotional strain, “highlighting the need for policies and investments that strengthen the vital conditions for well-being in our region.”

Some key data points in 2025:

• Thriving: 36% of women in the IE are thriving.
• Struggling: 58% of women in the IE are struggling.
• Suffering: 6% of women in the IE are suffering.
• Optimism Gap: 36% of women in Riverside County anticipate being worse off in 5 years compared to 9% of women in San Bernardino County.

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