A symbol of power and strength, strong women are creative, confident, and persevering. In a culture with deep misogynistic strands, it can be challenging for women to stand out from the crowd. After all, in our society, we always blame women for everything that goes wrong.
We blamed Eve for tempting Adam and causing all the mess we are in. At the turn of the third century, many theologians condemned women as well. Take, for example, Tertullian, a prolific Christian author who said that women were “the devil’s gateway,” and Thomas Aquinas, an Italian priest who called women “misbegotten.”
Nevertheless, when searching for the typical archetype female leader, we aren’t starting at ground zero. There are several women whose creative skills and ingenuity credited them with influencing the course of history.
Making remarkable strides to help others, Karen Spencer is an ideal example. A humanitarian at heart, she received multiple awards, honors, and recognitions from famous individuals, groups, and institutions for her philanthropic work. In 2017, People magazine named her among the 25 Women Changing the World.
Armed with a host of philanthropic missions, Karen initiated a nonprofit organization called Whole Child International. The organization focuses on improving the quality of care for young children in orphanages by providing innovative tools and training programs to support local governments and charities in improving their childcare systems.
Whole Child International has several achievements; in 2010, it was honoured to receive personal support and a visit from the Dalai Lama himself for its contributions to improving the lives of vulnerable children in developing lands.
A Remarkable Childhood
Karen didn’t have the luxury of calling one place home. When she was growing up her father was the administrator for Canada’s National Parks and frequently moved around the country to fulfill the duties of his job.
On many occasions, Karen and her siblings had to endure the hardship of packing up and moving from one location to another multiple times throughout their younger years. It wasn’t just the thrill of moving from one location to another that caused her to lose a sense of place, but also the toll of being unable to grow roots anywhere.
In an interview with Forbes, Karen revealed that she relocated more than 20 times over two decades. The constant struggle to find a sense of belonging led her to think of vulnerable children who lack safe, secure, and nurturing environments in precarious situations, especially in orphanages.
Being the oldest among her siblings, Karen felt her role was to be a steadfast, loving role model. This sense of responsibility led her to think of providing the same level of comfort and support to disadvantaged children.
A Modelling Career
Known for her empowering looks, Karen is the epitome of elegance. After finishing high school, she wanted to pursue higher education and enrolled at the University of Toronto. She studied there for a while before deciding to follow a different path.
Described as a “timeless beauty” by her first husband, Mark Gordon, a Hollywood producer, she decided to enter the modelling world. Not long afterwards, her modelling career gained momentum; she appeared in several catalogs and postings. Her modelling job paid her well, but she became bored of it and transitioned to hospitality and eventually landed at a front desk position at Toronto’s Four Seasons.
Earl Spencer’s Wife
After splitting from her first husband, Mark Gordon, Karen dedicated most of her time to Whole Child International, often travelling to orphanages around the world to raise awareness on the plight of needy children. In an interview with the Royal Observer magazine, Karen admits that she immediately fell in love with Charles Spencer during a blind date. Princess Diana’s younger brother is the maternal uncle of Prince William and Harry.
Karen married Charles Spencer on June 18, 2011, just two months after his nephew Prince William married Kate Middleton. The Earl chose to have a secluded wedding out of the spotlight at his 13,000-acre estate where he grew up beside his sister, Princess Diana.
Although most women might harbour resentment at the thought of becoming a third spouse, Karen didn’t. In an interview with the Sunday Times, she said, “I have been a first wife and a third wife, and trust me, you really want to be the third because men are so motivated at this point. They are really paying attention.”
Ever thoughtful and ingenious, Karen managed to help Charles change his mind after a difficult childhood and upbringing. Her empathy didn’t go unnoticed by him either. In an interview with Vogue, Charles said that his wife shifted his mindset in a positive way, helping him overcome his childhood trauma.
The most appealing thing about their relationship is that they were both willing to make compromises. Karen said many women could have been a good match for Charles, but he wasn’t interested in the perfect match. It was the ones who could love him back that were magnetic for him!
David Messiha | Staff Writer
