From Homer to Madam President Not long ago, women lived the lives that tradition dictated. Few dreamed of becoming anything other than a wife, mother, or perhaps secretary or teacher. This is the story of Helen Blanchard who broke through the barriers of tradition. Her journey took her from simple beginnings as a teacher in a Midwest oneroom school to an exciting life of travel, adventure and worldwide leadership. Helen tells the story of how she left Nebraska to pursue a larger life, complete with travels as a Navy wife and the challenges she faced as a civilian employee of the United States Navy. When she needed help in her professional pursuits, Helen joined Toastmasters International, then a male-only organization. Forced to join under the assumed name, “Homer,” she ultimately rose to lead this organization as its first female president. Hers is a story of hard work, dedication, guts, smarts and friendship. Helen has won the hearts of acquaintances, supervisors, co-workers — and most of all — her fellow members of Toastmasters International. She paved the way for women to join Toastmasters, to participate fully, and to dare to dream of leadership roles.
	Now available on Kindle!! Order from Amazon.com for $9.99 Click Here   The Helen Blanchard story leaves those of us who took action in the 1970s, to change our by-laws, with a deep sense of pride. Her story is the front runner of a much broader benefit where we no longer look at Toastmasters separately as men and women, but as members in a worldwide community of diversity. A delightful read for not onlyToastmasters, but for those interested in women’s history. Robert W. Blakeley, DTM International President 1976-77           See Helen's photos at Toastmasters International's Conventions and other speaking events.
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