Yesterday marked the first day of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings. As I half-listened to the remarks in between conference calls, I sat in awe of the importance of this day. I saw remarkable can-do women from both sides of the aisle, who have left and will continue to leave their indelible marks on this nation and thus history. Don’t worry; this post is not about politics; instead, it’s about lifting up women who are perfectly imperfect, who love their careers and work fiercely to achieve their professional goals, then go home to be a mom (and wife) and make no apologies for it! This. Is. Great! It is what we need to see. Now I ask myself, rather than being afraid, why wasn’t I more aware of women warriors like these ten years ago when I became a mom?
We All Start Somewhere!
A daughter to immigrants, I was the first in my family to go to college. Like my parents, I was determined to take advantage of every opportunity that came my way. I came from the generation where my female predecessors and college professors told me I could do anything, and I believed them! I started my career trailblazing my way through professional sports. At the time, this was unheard of. (Jeannie Buss had yet to fulfill her destiny as the first female owner to win an NBA championship.) Flying in private jets with A-list athletes, creating brands, negotiating lucrative deals, and living out of a suitcase while staying in the best hotels in the hottest cities–it was awesome! I was the female version of Jerry McGuire, but deep down, I knew it couldn’t last. Don’t get me wrong; I am not complaining – I had fun and love being a mom now, but as a newlywed, I secretly knew that I would one day want a family, and this funtastically remarkable career I built, would have to come to an end. And it did. The reality is, at the time, no one did what I did, and I had no one to turn to for advice, so I took the road I thought I had to, I quit. I mean, what kind of crazy person walks away from all that adventure? At that time, I didn’t know about Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and there was certainly no Amy Coney Barret. So yes, I became that crazy person that stepped away from a position I built, in a field I loved, to be a mom.
Oh Yea? Watch Me!
After taking some time off to be a mom, I was ready to get my career back. Realistically, I knew I would have to start over because my family is my priority, and my former life wasn’t going to work. It took some trial and error to find the right position. I worked for one woman who’d regularly say, “call the babysitter, I need you to work late.” That job lasted four months. I then worked for another company that abruptly decided; travel will be a big part of my job after being told no travel. That job lasted six months. Then suddenly, I had an epiphany and realized my worth. I knocked on Corporate America’s door, and fortunately, they answered. After months of interviews and evaluations, I was a top candidate at two fortune 100 companies and received offers days apart. It was here where I learned my worth and can relate to the values I saw in abundance on Capital Hill. I am tenacious, creative, smart, and incredibly hard-working. I vow to move the chains and have no quit until my work is done! However, I also want to tuck my son in every night and hold his hand while I walk him to school every morning, and missing his games is not an option. Both companies accepted my terms, but one embraced family more. Still, it remains that I take advantage of every opportunity and create new ones. Like the strong, powerful women I see on TV, I make no apologies for being a mom. Like those women, I will leave my indelible mark because that is who I am.
References:
https://www.moms.com/amy-coney-barretts-children/
https://www.moms.com/ruth-bader-ginsburg-raising-two-kids/
https://forbesbooks.com/women-outperforming-in-leadership-roles/
One Response to Women Warriors Make Your Mark!