NETWORLDING

Amelia Earhart

Often called a tomboy, daredevil Amelia Earhart not only broke several aviation records but also broke-down barriers for women all over the world. Forthright, strong and powerful Amelia did not accomplish her goals all on her own. Earhart amazing network allowed her to pursue her dreams and become a marvel of early aviation.

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Louisa May Alcott - Great Networkers Throughout History!

Our next "Great Networker in History," featured in Marie Cassatt’s network, had quite an impressive circle of her own. Most well known as the author of the beloved book “Little Women”, Louisa May Alcott was a committed feminist and abolitionist.

Great Networkers Throughout History - Bono

The next great networker is the lead singer for a hugely successful rock band. However, these days he is most recognized for his tremendous generosity and triumphs as a humanitarian.

Born Paul David Hewson on May 10, 1960, we know him as Bono, the leader signer for the Irish rock band U2. Bono was raised on the north side of Dublin by his parents, Brendan Robert Hewson and Iris Rankin Hewson. Bono’s mother died at her father’s funeral when Bono was only 14.

Oprah

From the great networkers of antiquity, we turn to one of the most influential networkers of our time, the legendary Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah's life began very modestly in Kosciusko, Mississippi, where she was born to unwed teenagers. Born Orpah Gail Winfrey after a figure in the Book of Ruth, the spelling of her name was changed to clarify the difficult pronunciation.

Bounced back and forth between her mother and grandmother, Oprah was eventually sent to weather her teenage years with her father, Vernon, in Nashville, Tennessee. Vernon was a strict father and made Oprah’s education a priority. By the time she graduated, she was an honors student and had won an oratory contest securing her a full scholarship to Tennessee State University.

While at University, Oprah took her first steps toward becoming Oprah.

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Great Networkers thoughtout History: Marco Polo

Marco Polo’s name is synonymous with courage, innovation and great adventure. His name has been used for everything from a children’s seeking game to a high-powered search engine used by students and teachers.

There's no doubt that Marco Polo was a courageous and brave explorer, but history should not overlook his abilities and power as a networker. Marco Polo’s networking skills prepared us for modern globalization. Practices and products he brought back from China were integrated into the European lifestyle even within Marco’s lifetime.

Marco Polo was born September 15, 1254 into a family of merchants turned explorers. Both his father and uncle had traveled to China before his birth.

Raised in Venice, Marco saw little of his traveling father until he was fifteen. In 1271, when Marco was 17, he was allowed to accompany his father on the Silk road to what was then called Cathay, modern-day China.

Marco Polo would spend the next 24 years of his life traveling and gaining exposure to new cultures.
Upon arriving in China, Marco Polo was brought before Kublai Kahn, the ruling emperor.
Kahn was quite taken with Marco and invited the travelers to stay. Due in large part to his linguistic abilities, young Marco quickly became a favorite in the court.

Soon, Kahn appointed Marco to a high position in his administration, where he served for some twenty plus years. Not only did he serve in China, but he was also sent on many missions to Bermuda, Persia, and India. Although he traveled widely while an ambassador for Kahn, Marco spent much of his time in current day Beijing in the Emperor’s magnificent palace. Marco had a keen eye and remembered the minute details of his travels and his life in China.

Marco’s descriptions of Kahn’s lavish court would later inspire the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge to write his famous poem about Kublai Khan's "stately pleasure-dome" in Xanadu (or Shang-du).
As Kahn grew older and the end of his life drew near, Marco Polo, his father, and his uncle grew fearful that the next dynasty would not treat them as well. Kahn agreed to let them leave the court, but he asked one last favor. Marco was to escort the Mongol princess Kokachin to Persia to marry the Persian prince, Arghun.

After a long trip, the Polo's finally returned to Europe empowered with new knowledge. Marco shared his discoveries with his comtempories, nobles, and even Pope Innocent V.
Among the items and new ideas Marco Polo brought from the East were: paper money, coal, the Imperial post, ice cream, eye glasses, and a complex yet more efficient communication system.

Marco spent three years at home until the city of Genoa raged war on Venice. Marco commanded a galley against Genoa. He was unfortunately captured and spent a year in a Genoses prison. While in prison, he met Romance writer Rustichello of Pisa.

At Rustichello’s urging, Marco dictated the story of his travels in great detail. Once both men were released, Rustichello released the book to the public. It became a wild success, which is quite an achievement given that printing was virtually unknown in Europe.

The book became one of the most popular books in medieval Europe, and the impact of his book on the contemporary Europe was tremendous. The book was titled Il Milione (The Million); however, it was dubbed “The Million Lies," because people were unwilling to except that a man could make such a journey.
In the summer of 1299, after peace was achieved with Genoa, Marco was released, and he returned home to Venice. He married Donata Badoer and had three daughters with her: Fantina, Bellela and Moreta. All of them later married into noble families.

His ability to network lies within his ability to influence people and tell his story. Marco Polo may have been a great linguist, but, above that, he was a great communicator. He was about to make foreign-even alien-things accessible for different cultures. A great explorer could discover paper money, but a great networker can put that information into the right hands to see discoveries implemented.

After returning home to Venice Marco never left again. In 1324 at the age of 70, Marco Polo left his famous epitaph for the world: "I have only told the half of what I saw!” He died shortly after.

Marco's most famous connection was Kublai Kahn, but who else was in his network? Here are some of the influential people who were most likely in Marco's primary circle at various times in his life:
Edward I - King of England
Chagatai Khan - Ruler of Central Asia
Pope Gregory X - Catholic Pope
Thomas Wykes - English chronicler
Marguerite of France - Second Queen consort of King Edward I of England

Coming Attractions

Coming soon to a blog near you.
Our series on Great Networkers in History continues with Marco Polo.

Keep checking back as we examine the networking skills of such greats as Oprah, Nelson Mandela, Margaret Sanger, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King and more . . .

Marco Polo sailing to China

Mary Cassatt

There are thousands of examples of networkers throughout history but several exceptional people stand out. Have you ever wondered how these exceptional people networked? How did they use their skills to create mutually beneficial relationships? Who was in their network and how did they meet the influential people in their lives?

Well, join us as we present to you Great Networkers Throughout History

First in our series is Mary Cassatt.

Self-portrait

Cassatt was an American born French Impressionist. She is one of only three women in the movement and the only American. Most well known for her conservative painting of mothers with their children, however Cassatt's own life did not resemble the quaint simplicity of her paintings.

Although she was born in Pittsburgh in 1844, Cassatt spent much of her childhood in Europe and by the time she was ten she was fluent in several languages. Her affluent family valued education and thought travel was the best way to encourage an interest in learning. After attending Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Cassatt, against her parent wishes, moved to Europe and traveled alone. She eventually settled in Paris and fell into the Bohemian lifestyle.
It was during this time that she met Edgar Degas. She was walking by a gallery window when she caught a glimpse of Degas famous ballet dancers. Cassatt later reflected on this moment by saying,” I saw art as I wanted to see it. I began to live."

At this same time Degas saw her pieces in the Paris Salon. The two met in 1874 and began a life long friendship. Degas invited her to join the impressionist and introduced her to art legends, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro.

Edgar Degas

Together they developed the impressionist movement and promoted their work, exhibiting in their own shows.

Cassatt contributed more than her artwork to Impressionism. She used her wealth to financially back the movement. She would buy her friends paints and encourage many of her affluent American friends to buy Impressionist art. In fact most of the Impressionist art in American collections is a result of her efforts.

After her tenure with the Impressionist, Cassatt continued to paint and travel. She spent time in Spain as a guest of Phillip II and worked as his painter.

In 1892 she was commissioned to paint a mural for the Women’s building at the Chicago Worlds Fair.

Later in her life Cassatt became a role model to young women and even mentored a young Lucy A. Bacon.
Forced to give up painting because she was nearly blind Cassatt turned her attention to the women suffrage movement in 1914. She used her influence and networking abilities to support her friends and draw attention to the movement.
Cassatt died on June 14, 1926 near Paris leaving only her artwork and legacy behind.
As of 2005, her paintings had sold for as much as $2.8 million

Cassatt's most famous connection was Edgar Degas but who else was in her network? Here is a list of the influential people who were most likely in Cassatt's primary circle at various times in her life:
• Gustave Flaubert – author of “Madame Bovary”
• Sarah Bernhardt – famous theater actor
• Gustave Eiffel – French architect
• Louisa May Alcott - American novelist
• Claude Debussy – composer
• Susan B. Anthony – activist