Marilyn's Leadership Inspirations
We spoke to Marilyn Lands about the community organizers and political leaders that have inspired and influenced her most.
Q. What contemporary politicians have been most inspiring to you, especially now as you run for office yourself?
One political leader who has been deeply inspirational for me is current Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams. She is a true role model for women who are invested in politics, especially as she worked alongside thousands of community volunteers to get out the vote in Georgia for the 2020 Presidential election and Senate run-off races. Ms. Abrams also established Fair Fight, an organization that promotes free, fair elections and empowers potential voters.
In doing so, Ms. Abrams both helped to support communities that have been historically voter-suppressed and allowed Democratic candidates to win major federal offices. The love Ms. Abrams has for her community, as well as the passion she has for increasing civic engagement and progressivism in the South, are very motivating to me as I seek office to support and improve my own Southern community.
Another political leader who has inspired me is former-President Jimmy Carter. Beyond just his presidency, Mr. Carter is a true humanitarian advocate and public servant—even now, at 97 years old, he is still dedicated to human rights activism and charity work. Mr. Carter has stayed true to his beliefs—both politically and religiously—during the entirety of his time in office as well as after, which is something that I find very meaningful. He is a genuinely good man, and I look to him as a role model in both politics and life itself.
Locally, I have always been influenced by the bipartisanship of Alabama House Representative Mike Ball. As one of the few moderate Republicans in Montgomery, his tenure has been one of reaching across the aisle to solve problems, implement new ideas, and improve life for all Alabamians. I aspire to bring this same unity and camaraderie to Montgomery as a State Representative, and am grateful to him for his example of bridging political gaps and working with both parties for the good of our community.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the recently-departed U.S. Representative John Lewis. An icon in both Alabamian and American politics, Rep. Lewis worked to end segregation in the South, as well as to establish the right to vote for Black Americans. He is an American hero, and I will forever be inspired by his devotion to equality, peace, and justice—all of which were informed by the Christian faith that he and I share.
Q. What other community leaders have positively influenced you?
I was a member of Leadership Greater Huntsville Class 5 and was very interested in both the servant leadership of Robert Greenleaf and Quaker styles of leadership, especially those expressed by Parker Palmer. One of my favorite quotes from Parker Palmer is, “The best leaders are clear. They continually light the way, and in the process, let each person know that what they do makes a difference. The best test as a leader is: Do those served grow as persons; do they become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become leaders?” This sentiment is something that I am also very inspired by, in both leaders I look up to and in myself as a leader.
I also attended the National Leadership Council once and was inspired by people from Earlham College, who spoke about decision-making in the Quaker tradition. They described decision-making as a process similar to growing a plant: we all have something to contribute—gifts, talents, strength—so someone might be soil, someone might be light, someone might be fertilizer, but we’re all working together to grow the plant.
The NLC taught that Quakers make decisions by consensus and also utilize silence, stillness, and thought in their meetings, which as a counselor and contemplative person I think is very valuable, since it ensures that we are actually focusing on what people say— not just thinking of how we should respond.
As an Episcopalian, I am also very inspired by our current bishop, Michael Curry, due to his mission of love and wisdom. In the same vein, I am very thankful for all the small leaders on my spiritual path; as someone who did not grow up in church, they were so welcoming in terms of worship and spirituality and allowed me to become the very passionate Christian that I am today. As a student in the 2022 Cohort of the Living School, I also look up to Father Richard Rohr, Rev. Dr. Barbara Holmes, Rev. Dr. Brian McLaren, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault, and Dr. James Finley—all wonderful, wise Christian leaders.
And finally, I am so inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and Howard Thurman, who both stirred people's imagination about what change could be in a manner that still bears fruit today—they are truly prophetic voices.
