12 heartwarming tales of progress in 2007.(THE LAST LAUGH)

Sometimes the media are so full of negativity and disasters that it's all one can do to get out of bed in the morning to face another day. Wise women seek out the positive changes and intentionally try to build on their successes.

At WIHE we encounter tales of success and those of dismay every day. Some make it into the Newswatch and other sections, and some we joke about or try to forget. Here are those that made us smile and realize the goddess is watching over us, for which we must be eternally grateful.

National Good News

1. Dr. Drew Faust is leading Harvard University, the most prestigious and influential university in the world. Her positive influence extends not only to the deans and VPs she selects, but the programs and projects she encourages. No longer can the search committee at any college or university claim that "This campus is not ready for a woman president," either aloud or implied. The answer must be: "If Harvard can do it, why can't we?"

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2. Hillary Clinton is a leading contender for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Perhaps small-minded critics will succeed in derailing her bid with criticisms of her hairstyle or the baggage of Bill. Nevertheless her candidacy is energizing campus women about politics and providing a voice at the table on issues of concern to women, such as the ever-expanding war, inequities in health coverage, the burgeoning cost of higher education and other key issues.

3. DePaul University has made the gutsy decision to host the second national conference on issues confronting LGBQT faculty and students on Catholic campuses this past fall. By holding fast to its Vincentian roots of social justice and support for the poor and outcast, student and faculty leaders at DePaul are standing up to the small-minded church leaders who would toss away the souls of those not conforming to its current institutional mantra.