Inspirational Men & Woman

Stacy Cohen is the wife of tech savvy entrepreneur and philantropist Mouli Cohen.  Israel born Mouli Cohen businesses created thousands of jobs in United States and generated more than $3 billion in stockholder value.  So there should be no one who don’t know the famous couple whom I heard travel with their Asus everywhere they go.  And since they are so busy - with Stacy being an author to her own book called Kosher Billionaire’s Secret Recipe - I guess it’s important to have gadgets - like skype phones and LCD monitors   around you all day eh.  Raised and born in Texas - she converted to Judaism and offers her reader her personal guidelines to living a kosher life grounded in spirituality.  There are real recipes in her book and it is said to be a well being nutritional program for all.  Overall, I think Stacy Cohen’s lifestyle may not be for all - but the philanthropy part from Mouli Cohen may be a lot more interesting to some.

Dr. Pallavi Patel, accomplished pediatrician, entrepreneur and philanthropist, had always wanted to make a difference in the world.  A native of Ahmedabad, India, she worked with her physician husband, Dr. Kiran C. Patel, in Zambia for many years before coming to Tampa in 1982. In Tampa, she was soon making a major difference in her community.  The Patels started a medical practice which quickly expanded to 22 locations offering family and internal medicine, pediatrics and cardiology.  By pursuing managed healthcare contracts, these practices serviced more than 90,000 patient visits annually.  Eventually their efforts led to the formation and success of Wellcare HMO.  By the time they sold their majority interest in that company in 2002, it served over 400,000 members and employed more than 1200 people in Florida and New York.

Dr. Pallavi Patel and her husband, Dr. Kiran C. Patel recently announced a $5 million gift to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center to establish a school in her name. She also co-founded the Annual Indian Festival at the Sun Dome at the University of South Florida. In Tampa Bay, the Patels have helped establish a charter school to meet the needs of at-risk children. Dr. Pallavi Patel was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. This is the first time an Indian woman has been extended such an honor in the US.

I’ve actually only know more about Carol Channing after listening forever to this song “Diamonds Are The Girl’s Best Friend”.  Carol was the original singer of this song in Broadway - or rather introduced this song to everyone.  And in most places that I’ve seen Carol in ?  are award shows - so I’ve often wondered who this person is.

Born in 1921, she is an singer and an actress - won 3 Tonys and including a lifetime achievement, a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.  Married 4 times - she now resides in California with her 4th husband - her high school sweetheart.  Ahhh - so sweet!

Sheela Murthy is a successful immigration lawyer and founder of the Murthy Law firm  . Sheela’s story  showcases the ability of philanthropists in the U.S. to live, give and do business in both worlds, India and the U.S. Sheela moved from India in the 80s and graduated from Harvard Law School. She started her own law firm in 1994 in Maryland with a liaison office in Chennai. The Murthy Law Firm was honored in 2008 with the Maryland International Global Award for contributing to international issues. Ernst & Young also honored Sheela as  Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009.  She is listed among the top 100 women in Maryland.

In addition to business success, Sheela was named 2009 Philanthropist of the Year by United Way Central Maryland for her $1 million gift. Sheela and her husband started the  MurthyNayak Foundation  to support projects in India and the U.S. The Foundation focuses their work on children and women’s health and educational issues, programs that assist immigrants, and disaster relief efforts. In India, the Foundation supports adult education and literacy, orphanages and old-age homes, and offers scholarships.

Newly minted Hollywood star Edmund Chen hails from home - Singapore - has a local wife - also a popular artiste back home and 2 children.  Older than I - Edmund Chen is definitely a model for diets that work .  I’ve watched Edmund’s first tv sitcom from home some 20 yrs ago - and am very proud that he is one of the few from home that made it to Hollywood.  Starred in a filmed from Warner Brothers Turn Left, Turn Left and more recently since i’ve seen a preview of Street Fighter : The Legend of Chun-Li also by Fox -  I think what I’m most inspired by Edmund is that he is not only steadfast in his job but in his relationship with his wife - Xiang Yun and children.

Look at how old his son is already- in the last few years - in the Asian Entertainment arena - we’ve seen so many marriages broken but both artistes - although rumored to have their own set of problems some 15 years ago - managed to work everything out and even have a 2nd child.  The spouse had said that this picture of a healthy family is what he hope to achieve to.   A beautiful family if you asked me - healthy looking and definitely fit.

Christy Walton is the world’s 12th most richest woman in the world! wow!!  with $20 billion net worth to her name.  But unlike some on this blog Christy Walton inherited her wealth - being the wife of the late John Walton of Walmart. At 54 yrs old with only one son, Christy Walton will never be without money because Walmart will continue to thrive no matter what the economy will be because of the discounted prices and the many small business they crush - while they thrive.

World’s largest retailer benefited as cash-strapped shoppers looked to discount merchandise at start of economic slump. Boost may have waned; recently reported 1.6% decline in same-store sales in its U.S. Walmart and Sam’s Club stores, warned of soft sales in current quarter. Still, shares are up 7% in past 12 months and family fortune rose a combined $13 billion, largely recovering losses from market crash. Sam Walton started as J.C. Penney clerk. Opened Benjamin Franklin five-and-dime in 1945; lost lease five years later. Founded Bentonville, Ark., general store with brother James in 1962. Today Walmart has $405 billion in annual sales, 2 million employees, more than 8,400 stores. Christy is the richest of the Waltons thanks to late husband John’s early bet on First Solar; alternative energy stock up more than 350% since 2006 public offering.

Chin Ning Chu was not only an internationally known speaker but also the best selling author of Asian Mind Game and Thick Face, Black Heart - and if you haven’t read The Art of War for Women - you should hurry out and get one now.  She was also a fashion designer who loves  hip hop clothing and has many talents - this woman amazes me.  Unfortunately she died in 2009 after fighting a long battle with cancer  - she was born in China but grew up in Taiwan before migrating to United States.   I loved her books and I loved the way she helped the Americans understand the Asian culture and to negotiate with the Asian businessmen.  She wore so many hats - it was hard to keep up with her.   She was honored woman of the year and named an all time successful writer before her passing.  Truly amazing woman - if only i was half like her.

Martha Black is not only a politician but also an adventurer - I came across her profile while looking for the best weight loss pills .  Martha was born in Chicago IL in 1866 and you and I know that women during those time were more conservative.   What was quite remarkable about Martha was that she gave up her rich society life and her first husband because of the Klondike Gold Rush.  She then gave birth to her 3rd son in a trek over Rocky Mountains.

With her 3 sons , she then formed a gold mining partnership and opened a saw mill in Dawson during the early 1900s.  She then married George Black a few years later and became the commissioner of Yukon Territory and an MP later.  In 1935 - when my mother was born, Martha eas elected to the Parliament and she was then 70 yrs old - not only was she not young anymore .. she was also the second woman ever elected into the Parliament.  Known as the mother of Yukon she died at the age of 91 Black Street in Yukon was named in memory of Martha Black.

Everyone knows who Sergey Brin is - I bet even my mother would be proud of him.   His age is only 36 but he is already a billionaire who might need a  Symbol LS2208 to count his fortune if they were cashed out from the bank.   Yes ! he is RICH!  rich and young and good looking too.   This tech darling is loved by everyone and everyone uses his program everyday - Google and Google Chrome.

Surely by now - you would have heard his rag to riches story -  boy come to America from Russia- met his future partner Larry Page at Standford but the two did not finish school but instead drop out of school and started google from his friend’s garage - well - like they said - the rest is history.  Unfortunately, he is married - so the grand scheme to snatch him up is poof ! hahah!!

Ursula Burns is the first African American woman to become the head of a Fortune 500 company - she is the CEO of Xerox.  Any woman who heads a company like Xerox has my full respect - and you will need a flash drive to take in everything you need to know about her.   I think what i admired most of Ursula Burn is that even though Xerox wasn’t doing that good - she still took on the position and is still working hard to strengthen the company.  Currently ranking #9 most powerful women - and reported a revenue of $ 17.6 billion in 2008 - Ursula Burns came from humble beginnings - that must be one of the best qualities i hope to tell my children - that you don’t need to come from a rich family to succeed.