Laura Madden

I am joining, most immediately, in response to an invitation as a member of the Lit and Luminous community created by our hearts' ally, Myra Jackson. I began my now 68 year journey in St. Louis, MO, at the Confluence of the Great Rivers Mississippi and Missouri, nurtured by the presence and flow of water from its tributary Coldwater Creek, that ran behind our back fence. Ours was a simple Irish immigrant/workman's life - with four siblings and dozens of cousins living in connection. Love and kindness were, and are, our sustenance. Yet, fate or folly took me on a more complicated path to a 30 year work life in Washington DC - as U.S. Senate Committee staff, Legislative Director in the US House of Representatives, government and legislative professional for cities, nonprofits and trade groups, and so much more.  I was educated in government systems, politics, legislative and regulatory matters from the grassroots, and have a deep understanding in how it works (and doesn't work) in real life. I hold a strong network of colleagues, who have undertaken purposeful work to find balance and compassion, with gratitude and anticipation in this transforming time.  During these times, my eyes were opened to so much of the complicity and ignorance that allowed these systems to grow and limit my and our greater Human/Nature potential and survival.  

When I left that mission, I continued my journey to explore what could be my next calling - my power and purpose.  I shook off barnacles, traveled globally, attended conferences and, then, heeded a call to return to my family in St. Louis.  This return led me to team up with Myra J to collaborate and organize a Global Freshwater Summit. Held virtually in St. Louis during the COVID pandemic in 2020, the GFS brought together an amazing schedule of environmental, historical, cultural, governmental, food justice and everyday citizens to share and help us better understand the status, priorities and co-existence with our Great Rivers Mississippi and Missouri. Without pause, I  see this Summit as an activation spirited by Coldwater Creek and the greater mission of Earth regeneration. Facing its journey to repair, restore and regenerate after radioactive and urban toxic waste degraded its and our human health. Coldwater Creek then asked me to embody its healing mission - in a personal journey to face the cancer - and to "repair, restore, regenerate" both my human body and the Creeks' wellness in alignment with the restorative forces of Spirit, Nature, Love and Community Connection. 

Today, I embrace a sense of purpose shared by so many today as an emergent human.  I walk a path as a convener, an observer, a scribe and, hopefully, a more wise elder - as well as a loving garden grower, a Missouri Master Naturalist and resilient community consultant and facilitator of alliance.  I invite opportunity to discover emergent pathways, including a new local Phoenix Rise Initiative, to dialogue and enrich common purpose and shared prosperity.  

And here I am.