A remembrance to those who gave all


Leadership is a convoluted oft debated word. It includes those who make things happen, those whom history remembers, and those whom history forgets. However, leadership is immeasurably valuable. It inspires, it creates change, and it has much to do with every part of our lives.

While history may forget those who kept the ship steady, their fight was nonetheless valiant. These leaders are the ones who provide for our families, raise children, and give all they have for others. However, history typically only remembers those who stood up for something, those who did not care about the consequences, and those who were willing to give all up for their cause.

Whether or not these are the leaders we can all be is debatable. After all, if we were all out fighting for what we believed in and never conforming in any way, would anything get accomplished? However, there is certainly a time and place for this type of leadership. For my last blog post, I will highlight some of the movers and shakers from history who gave all for their cause and whose leadership has long been admired and will be for all eternity.

NOTE: I do not intend for this list to be all-inclusive or even marginally representative of all the great martyr leaders history has seen. Instead, I have chosen a few leaders that I have found to be the most inspiring.

1.     

 1.Jesus Christ (c. 6 B.C. and c. 30 A. D. ) (Jesus Christ, 2011).
The savior of the human race and the crux of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ was crucified for his beliefs. Christ represents so many elements of leadership. His sacrifice, faith, and constancy are the inspiration for millions around the world today. More than that, Christ is the bread of life and everlasting water for many.

2.      2.Joan of Arc (1412-1431) (Blaetz, 2005).
France’s Joan of Arc was the daughter of a farmer, turned military leader, turned martyr, turned saint. Joan lived during France’s 100 Years War against Britain. She had inspired visions beginning around age 16 that gave her insight (Joan of Arc, 2017).More than anything, Joan’s leadership “provided spirit and morale” for the worn down French forces of the time (Joan of Arc, 2017). She was able to successfully raise the siege of Orleans in May 1429, and she stood by the dauphin at his coronation (Joan of Arc, 2017). However, her fortunes would take an unfortunate turn when she “unsuccessfully besieged Paris” in September 1429 (Joan of Arc, 2017). Then, she was captured and sold to the English (Joan of Arc, 2017). The French made no attempt to rescue her (Joan of Arc, 2017). The English charged her with heresy for claiming divine inspiration and burned her at the stake on May 30, 1431 (Joan of Arc, 2017). Joan’s inspiring life and willingness to die rather than submit to governing authorities led to her being named a saint in 1920 (Joan of Arc, 2017).

3.      3.Boudica (unknown birth to 60 or 61 CE) (Tucker, 2014). 

Boudica was the queen of the Iceni tribe in Britain during the time of Roman conquest in the region (Tucker, 2014). She was married to Prasutagus who had made a deal with the Roman government to allow the Iceni to maintain their culture, lands, and rights while Rome was an ally of the nation (Tucker, 2014). Prsutagus died in 60 CE and had no male heirs (Tucker, 2014).  So, he willed his throne jointly to his daughters and the Roman emperor (Tucker, 2014). However, Roman law of the time prevented females from inheritance (Tucker, 2014). So, the Roman government annexed the Iceni land, enslaved nobleman, flogged Boudica, and raped her daughters (Tucker, 2014). This inspired Boudica and the Iceni to revolt against Rome (Tucker, 2014). However, Rome’s superior military forces crushed the rebellion (Tucker, 2014). Boudica returned home and likely committed suicide; however, her bravery and willingness to stand up for her people against such a formidable foe remains as an example for us today (Tucker, 2014).

4.      4.Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) (Martin Luther King Jr., 2014).
King needs little introduction. He was perhaps the most significant civil rights leader in American history promoting nonviolence and peaceful protest (Martin Luther King Jr., 2014). He helped organize the 1963 March on Washington which nearly 200,000 attended and heard his famous “I Have A Dream” speech (Martin Luther King Jr., 2014). The march helped encourage the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which began the path to equal legal rights for African Americans (Martin Luther King Jr., 2014). King was a leader with impressive courage and dedication. He was killed on his hotel balcony in 1968 for his beliefs, but his actions have made a profound change in our society that has improved the lives of thousands even to this day.

These 4 are undeniably great leaders. Their actions have inspired others to action, and their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. They are examples for us all. They show how no matter the situation, we can all be leaders. However, there are thousands of others who have similarly given all for their cause—those with such devotion and such heart that they are all worthy of remembrance. Though we may never know all of their names, let’s not forget their sacrifices. Let us learn from their unrelenting courage and dedication, and strive to live the same way in our lives.

I hope you have enjoyed my journey through PA 6665 Leadership for Public Administration. This course has proven to be insightful and inspiring in so many ways.
May the Lord always bless you and keep you.
References
Blaetz, R. (2005). Joan of Arc. In B. Marshall & C. Johnston (Eds.), France and the Americas: Culture, politics, and history. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Retrieved from http://libproxy.troy.edu/login?url=http://literati.credoreference.com/content/entry/abcframrle/joan_of_arc/0?institutionId=3456
Joan of Arc. (2017). In P. Lagasse & Columbia University, The Columbia Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Retrieved from http://libproxy.troy.edu/login?url=http://literati.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/joan_of_arc/0?institutionId=3456
Jesus Christ. (2011). In L. Rodger & J. Bakewell, Chambers Biographical Dictionary. London, UK: Chambers Harrap. Retrieved from http://libproxy.troy.edu/login?url=http://literati.credoreference.com/content/entry/chambbd/jesus_christ/1?institutionId=3456
Martin Luther King Jr... (2014). In Encyclopaedia Britannica (Ed.), Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Chicago, IL: Britannica Digital Learning. Retrieved from http://libproxy.troy.edu/login?url=http://literati.credoreference.com/content/entry/ebconcise/king_martin_luther_jr/0?institutionId=3456
Tucker, S. C. (2014). Boudica, Queen (?--60or 61 CE). In S. Tucker (Ed.), 500 great military leaders. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Retrieved from http://libproxy.troy.edu/login?url=http://literati.credoreference.com/content/entry/abcclioml/boudica_queen_60_or_61_ce/0?institutionId=3456


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