Consumer advocate and author of Take It from Me (McGraw-Hill)
People often underestimate the power of… Passion. I see it in my own work. I hear, “She’s not a doctor; she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” But I don’t need anyone else to give me answers—determination keeps me moving forward.
I felt most powerful when… My mother died in my arms. Death is mysterious and frightening, but I had the strength to help my mother through it. I’m proud of that.
A true sign of power is… Self-assurance. It’s a struggle, but that confidence comes from being comfortable with yourself and the decisions you’ve made in life.
Author of Eat Pray Love (Penguin) andCommitted: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage (Viking)
People often underestimate the power of… Waiting a situation out. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed there’s a great deal of power in a pause. Sometimes we make problems worse by rushing to fix them.
I felt most powerful when… I took control of my life. Five years of self-examination, painful honesty, and prayer got me out of a bad marriage and depression. It’s how I became a woman.
A true sign of power is… Positive impact. Power is a neutral energy source, like tofu. It’s what you do with it that gives it flavor.
President emerita of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and chairman of its International Council
People often underestimate the power of… Art as a communicator. It’s a language everyone understands. You don’t have to speak Russian to appreciate a Vasily Kandinsky painting or speak Japanese to see the beauty in their architecture.
I felt most powerful when… I started Studio in a School in 1977. We fund visual artists who teach in New York City schools that have lost funding. We share the importance of the arts, not only in society but also in building one’s self-esteem. And the kids really grasp that: They’re confident and proud of themselves and share art with the people in their lives.
A true sign of power is… Influence. My passion is supporting little-known artists who don’t have a chance to see their work in galleries or exhibitions. It’s gratifying when they get more exposure—and opportunities to show their art—because someone purchased a piece and encouraged people to see it.
Former editor in chief of Gourmetmagazine and author of Not Becoming My Mother (Penguin)
People often underestimate the power ofF… Family meals. If I could, I’d make every family sit down for dinner. One of the few times people actually pay attention to each other is when they’re around a table.
I felt most powerful when… I learned howGourmet magazine touched people’s lives. We’d been covering sustainability, social justice, and bioethics issues, and our readers were paying attention.
A true sign of power is… The ability to change a life. I had an art professor, Milton Cohen, who taught me to find the beauty in every minute of every day. He turned me into a food person.
