WHOISSHE? SHEGIVES FOUNDING MEMBER ADRIA GOODSON

Q: WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING YOU HAVE GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?

A: I am writing a book that captures the stories of 21st century social movement leaders and will inspire others to follow in their footsteps. It is exciting because I know my life choices are the result of movements throughout history. Through this book, I hope to make a contribution to the mighty, flowing river of social justice – encouraging others to become heroes and create history themselves.

Q: I LOVE THE IDEA. WHAT, IN PARTICULAR, INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK? WAS THERE ONE MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO PUT PEN TO PAPER?

A: In my day job, I get to work with 64 amazing movement leaders and have the privilege of listening closely as each one considers how to bring his or her dream to the next level. For me, it is most striking how human they are, how they are just regular people who cared enough to fight for change. I was reflecting after one coaching session that each of their stories could be my story or your story. I thought, “Maybe we all want to see the world changed for the better by our contributions.” I recognized how people across the country are hungry for knowledge about how they can really change the world and go beyond dreaming to action. That was when I knew I needed to share this story and invite others to re-create it as their own.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR ENERGY, OR DO YOUR BEST THINKING?

A: I do my best thinking when I am hiking in the woods around Walden Pond, in Vermont or New Hampshire, or way out in Yosemite Valley. When I hike, I touch the trees, honoring the fact that many of them are way older than I am. I try to soak up some of their wisdom. And then I bring that image and energy back into my writing.

Q: OKAY, LAST QUESTION: WHO BROUGHT YOU INTO SHEGIVES? WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT HER?

A: Laura Gassner Otting brought me into SheGives. What I like best about Laura is her authenticity and genuine interest in other human beings. She brings these qualities into her work as a world-class recruiter and into her friendships.

SheGives connects committed, inquisitive, engaged donors with a slate of diligenced nonprofits in the Greater Boston area. We provide members with relevant data about the nonprofits in our portfolio and an opportunity to meet directly with our nonprofits’ Executive Directors and senior staff in small settings that promote in-depth q&a’s and, ultimately, informed giving. Giving is personally driven, but because we give side-by-side our collective impact is greater. See a list of the vetted nonprofits selected for our slate here.

WhoIsShe is a regular column featuring an appreciative but sometimes irreverent conversation with a SheGives Member.