Passionately Positive

Passionately Positive: The Beverly O'Neill Story

Leadership Through Inspiration

Beverly O'Neill was president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors when Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana and Mississippi, and led the recovery effort as the nation's cities did what they could to help.

Beverly O'Neill was the child of an alcoholic.

Beverly O'Neill was the first - and so far the only - big city mayor to be reelected as a write-in candidate, winning a third term in Long Beach, California.

Beverly O'Neill couldn't bring friends home from school because she never knew whether her father was going to be drinking or just gone.

Beverly O'Neill watched the Navy and the aerospace industry leave Long Beach, but managed to revitalize the city as an economically diverse waterfront urban center.

Beverly O'Neill started working at age 13, and hasn't quit since.

Beverly O'Neill was the first female president of Long Beach City College - in a time when colleges weren't supposed to have female presidents.

Beverly O'Neill was the child of the mother of Al-Anon, Flossie Lewis.

Beverly O'Neill was the first educator to focus on women attempting to return to college after being widowed, divorced or realizing that they had to make it on their own.

Beverly O'Neill was her parents' right hand as they organized the first Alcoholics Anonymous central office in Southern California.

Beverly O'Neill was, and is, Passionately Positive.

This is her inspirational story, and the story of the way AA lessons turned into an incredibly effective leadership style that changed the lives of not just thousands, but residents throughout Long Beach and beyond.

Written through the perspective of a newspaperman who chronicled her career and the city she loved - Long Beach, California - the short story is a quick read, but one that calls the reader back again and again to see how Beverly worked her magic. The connection between the positive AA philosophy and the approach of collaboration and facilitation as leadership tools is compelling.

Add the inspiration of Beverly's personal tale, from the little girl afraid to invite a friend home to the woman who President Clinton called "my favorite mayor," and few readers will be able to put "Passionately Positive" down.

As actress and survivor Jamie Lee Curtis said, "This portrait of survival and profound compassion turning into command is a light bearer for us all, man, woman, child of alcoholics or not. Her's is the stuff that reminds us that nothing is impossible and that God's grace is ever-present in Long Beach."

Beverly Lewis O'Neill's life was a labor of love. This book reflects that life, and that love.