LEADERSHIP
I am drawn to issues of leadership and curious about what defines people who I think are good leaders.
During my adult life I have enjoyed reading books with central leadership themes. Some I’ve read in recent years are:
Elizabeth I CEO by Alan Axelrod
Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Move to the Front by Jo Bryan Rusin
Jo is a good friend whom I have known since my student days at the University of Kentucky. This book is based on her experiences in the U.S. Army. She was the most senior woman commander in the Gulf War & became the first female battalion commander at Fort Benning, GA, home of the Infantry.
One of the books I am currently reading is:
Leadership Lessons of The White House Fellows
by Charles Garci
One of my favorite leadership quotes is the following:
“If you fail to honor your people,
They will fail to honor you;
It is said of a good leader that
When the work is done,the aim fulfilled,
The people will say,
We did this ourselves’. “
Lao Tzu,
604-531 B.C.,
Tao Te Ching
“Be gentle and you can be bold;
be frugal & you can be liberal;
avoid putting yourself before others & you can become a leader
among men.”
Lao Tzu
It is important for people in leadership positions to educate themselves on an on-going basis. With that in mind, I have completed the following during my tenure on the Urban County Council:
Citizen Police Academy - 1999
Leadership Lexington – 2000
Leadership Kentucky - 2001
Citizen Fire Academy - 2004
Leadership Honors
University of Kentucky College of Nursing 50th Anniversary
Recognized as one of Fifty Outstanding Alumni - 2010
Boy Scouts of America Bluegrass Council - Silver Beaver Award 2010
For distinguished service to youth
Central Baptist Hospital Womans Community Leadership Award – 2008
Leadership Lexington – Distinguished Leader Award – 2001
Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Outstanding Role Model - 2006
Linda Gorton’s Leadership History
Current – as Council Member At-Large
Planning Committee - Chair
Budget & Finance Committee -Member
Noise Ordinance Task Force - Co-Chair
Water Resources Oversight Committee- Member
Building Inspection Task Force - Member
Parks Advisory Board - Council rep
LexArts Board - Council rep
Sister Cities Commission - Council rep
UK/LFUCG Arboretum Advisory
Committee - Council rep
Town and Gown Commission - Council rep
Current – Civic
Friends of the Dog Park – Co-Founder & Board Member
Lexington Tree Foundation – Founding Member
Bluegrass Council Boy Scouts – Board Member
Central Kentucky Radio Eye – Board Member
Fayette County Family Court Advisory Board - Member
Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition – Board Member
Friends of Lafayette Band, The Pride – Member
Second Presbyterian Church – Ordained Elder & Deacon
Military-related Leadership
1975 Operation Babylift - registered nurse team
member - Assisted with physical exams of babies
airlifted from South Vietnam to Ft. Benning, GAInstructor – U.S. Army Reserve, Senior Leader
Pre-Command Course
Past
Council Intergovernmental Committee - Chair
Council Stormwater Oversight Committee – Chair
Council Public Safety Budget Link – Chair
Council Social Services & Finance Budget Link – Chair
Council Public Works Budget Link – Chair
Council Student Housing Task Force - Member
Council Committee to Review the Clean Indoor Air
Ordinance - Member
Second Presbyterian Church – Board of Deacons- Chair
Clerk of Session
16th District PTA Board - Member
Glendover Elementary PTA - President
Lafayette Band Association – President & Treasurer
Girl Scout Leader
Lexington Youth Soccer Association – Under 12 Coach
Past Member of the following Boards:
Lexington Center Corporation
Federal Medical Center Community Relations
Lexington Senior Citizen Center
YMCA High Street Board of Managers
