Have you ever skipped a stone on a lake?
Maybe you’re pretty good at this quintessential summertime activity. How many skips can you get?
I learned recently that the world record for competitive stone skipping (yes, it’s a thing) is 88 skips. Now that’s a lot!
Of course, we’ve all experienced the flip side of that world record — where our attempt is less of a skip and more of a single kerplunk!
Next time this happens to you, I want you to note something. Even an inelegant kerplunk can make some pretty impressive ripples, can’t it? Watch how long they go on for. How far they can reach.
It’s amazing what one small stone can do, and it reminds me of one of my favourite quotes:
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
Mother Teresa said this, and it’s a great reminder to me of an important truth: that even if I can’t do it all, I can do something. That even when I’m staring out at a big, intimidating ocean…I have a stone in my hand to throw, and some ripples that only I can make.
Let me take you back to a time I cast a stone and helped make some ripples with Defend Dignity.
It was 14 years ago that Glendyne Gerrard, Defend Dignity’s founder, called me and told me about her newly formed passion for making a difference in the fight against sexual exploitation in Canada. She told me she felt called to take on this work, and convicted to follow that calling.
But she needed help. She couldn’t do this alone. Would I join her?
I’ve always had an interest in justice issues. Feeling like the wrongs need to be righted. And so the opportunity to get involved felt like it could be a good fit for me.
But like Glendyne, I was pretty new to the issue of sexual exploitation. So were the other team members that were soon brought on board. We all had so much to learn.
Myself, Glendyne, and other members of the early Defend Dignity team
Still, we each had a stone to cast across the waters…and that’s exactly what we did! Defend Dignity was founded in 2010, and since then have accomplished so much and helped make significant ripples in the vast ocean of sexual exploitation!
I am now in my 14th year with Defend Dignity, having served in voluntary roles as a member of our advisory team and, more recently, as chair of the board of directors.
And now, this summer, I accepted the role of interim Executive Director for Defend Dignity. In this new role, I’m excited to help build a firm foundation for the organization as we embark on a new journey as a fully independent charity.
So what is it that keeps me “casting stones across the water” with Defend Dignity? Why do I want to help do this work?
Because Defend Dignity is needed. The work we do is hard, but so necessary.
Because Defend Dignity swims upstream on the issue of sexual exploitation. We focus on identifying and addressing the root causes and core issues of exploitation.
Because I have seen hope emerge through Defend Dignity’s work, like when our Survivor Support Fund helps a survivor who has just escaped prostitution buy a new bed, allowing her to heal without that painful reminder of years of exploitation.
And because Defend Dignity helps turn ordinary people into champions for the cause.
People like me. People like Glendyne. People like all of the staff, board members, volunteers, and financial supporters of Defend Dignity.
And people like you.
We all have stones we can cast across the waters. And so we invite you to join us!
Defend Dignity’s incredible journey is only possible with donor support. Will you consider making a monthly pledge to support our work?
It’s amazing what a single stone can do. It doesn’t need to be a perfect 88 skips. It just matters that you throw it.
I invite you to cast yours alongside us and support the work of Defend Dignity today.
Julia Ellergodt is the Interim Executive Director of Defend Dignity.
