Leaders ought to make work a better place for the generation of women of color
My work ethic comes from my mother, my drive comes from my father. I grew up watching my mother expend every ounce of energy she had in my school cafeterias. She dedicated her career to supporting and nourishing student success as a cafeteria professional. Though labor-intense work, she lovingly, enthusiastically prepared meals and greeted every student each day.
My father engendered my drive for academic and professional success, always explaining to me that, as a female, and a Woman of Color, I would have to work harder for opportunities and success. And I did. I worked my first full-time job while enrolled as a full-time college student. As a policy analyst for the state House of Representatives, I worked on proposed legislation to fund dual credit courses for high school students and to increase health equity in my state’s communities. I’d leave the office throughout the day and at night to attend my college classes.
In my professional roles thereafter, I was the last person to leave the buildings at night. The hard work paid off, and I received opportunities to work with, and be mentored by some of the state’s most phenomenal leaders. For the past two decades, my bosses/mentors were male; they believed in and empowered my passion and commitment to effect a positive change in communities and in education. They supported my return to school after I became a mother to attain a master’s and doctoral degree while remaining committed to my professional roles.
Two years ago, for the first time in my career, I began to report to a female senior leader; she too empowers my ideas, but also reminds me that time outside of the office with my family and volunteering in our community is equally important.
I am now surrounded by a sisterhood of leaders; collectively, we look for every opportunity to amplify the work and voices of each other, while ensuring more chairs are added to the proverbial table. Like my Mom, I dedicate my work to supporting student success. My scholarly research and community work focuses on increasing representation in all spaces of opportunity.
My journey to leadership has been long and hard-earned. I used to live by the phrase, “Great is the road I climb, but the garland offered by an easier effort is not worth the gathering” (Propertius). Today, my work and drive are to ensure I do my part to pave a smoother road, with limitless access to opportunity, for the next generation of leaders.
