This is the moment, Betty. You can jump off the stage or you can stand against your fear. No one in this room will force you to lead them. But you need to do this - for yourself, for all the women before you.

In the photo, a great fire blazed and I could almost smell acrid smoke rising from it. I looked around the Great Yurt, everyone looking at me. I looked down at my feet - if I could move one foot, then the other, I could make my way over to the ramp, down it and out the open flap. I co...