Monday, October 8, 2007

On Honoring the Lives of Great Women

It has been my life gift and privilege to know and count as friends two of the great feminine souls of this century: Drs. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and Gladys Taylor McGarey. It has always concerned me that extraordinary individuals such as these do not always receive the full recognition and honor they deserve while they are alive. Dr. Kübler-Ross died in 2004.

She was the Swiss-born physician, author and lecturer who revolutionized the way in which the world thinks about death and dying, and pioneered the movement for patients’ rights and hospice organizations in the United States. Through her seminal book “On Death and Dying,” and her worldwide lectures, she captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world who were hungry for the information she had to share.

However, the international icon’s groundbreaking work raised a wall of resistance from members of the establishment who were not ready to cede power to patients and their families. The short-sighted media coverage during those early years focused on the establishment’s strong opposition to her r/evolutionary work, which placed her at the center of a maelstrom of controversy, denying her much of the honor she deserved for many years.

She always knew it was the message that was important, not her, and she was determined to deliver it despite the resistance and the personal sacrifices it required. As a result, she brought the once-taboo subject of death and dying into the light of reason and compassion, and individuals around the world can now face death with dignity and surrounded by their loved ones.

It is gratifying to know that this wonderful individual, who persevered against great odds and elevated the consciousness of humanity, is now receiving national recognition from her adopted country. Dr. Kübler-Ross was inducted posthumously into the National Women’s Hall of Fame on October 7, 2007.

At 87-years of age, Gladys Taylor McGarey, M.D., M.D.(H), is still going strong. She is the internationally recognized “mother of holistic medicine in America.” Similarly to Dr. Kübler-Ross, she faced an equally lengthy, strong and verbal outcry from the medical establishment as she advocated and advanced the combination of allopathic and holistic medical practices to enhance our healthcare system.

While focused on ushering in the successful emergence of complementary medicine, Dr. McGarey was also mentoring and supporting the next level of leaders in holistic medicine, many of whom are now nationally and internationally known.

She continues her lifelong commitment to healing through global humanitarian missions sponsored by the foundation that bears her name. Dr. McGarey was one of the founders of the American Holistic Medical Association and its first female president. She has authored two books that are considered classics in the holistic field: “The Physician Within You: Medicine for the Millennium,” and “Born to Live.” The story of her exemplary life is told in the biography “Born to Heal.”

It is easy to see why the two became friends. They understood each other’s fierce dedication to a life mission, and recognized that together they covered the circle of life. When they shared the speakers’ platform, Dr. McGarey spoke on natural birthing and the fact that the body, mind, spirit connection is vital to the healing process. Dr. Kübler-Ross brought new insights and understanding to death and dying. She taught that consciously accepting this natural life event would allow us to live more fully and thus to die with a sense of completion and gratitude for the gift of life.

I know that Dr. Kübler-Ross was determined to use her life and abilities to further the cause of good on Earth, and her name will be emblazoned in the heavens as a true healing force on this planet. Dr. McGarey, meanwhile, continues to walk the noble and sacred path of selfless service to mankind. I just believe the world needs to recognize and celebrate such heroes while they still walk among us.
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Copyright 2007 by Fern Stewart Welch

The author’s book THE HEART KNOWS THE WAY—How to Follow Your Heart to a Conscious Connection with the Divine Spirit Within is available at Amazon.com and other online booksellers, as well as through major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.

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