Oct. 19

 Last week, we heard from a panel of three women who work in the business sector. So far, it seems like our panels have been composed mainly of women who work for non-profit organizations, so this was an interesting change of pace. All three women took very different paths to their current careers, but each story was interesting in its own ways. I really appreciated the fact that they all agreed that although we might not think we want to go into business later on, neither did they. I don't know at all what I want to do after college so it means a lot to me to know that other people felt the same way but found careers that made them happy and at which they are successful.

I forgot to post a blog entry before class last week, so I will just add that entry here. Last week was the first full week following fall break. Many people had a great time going home and staying with their families for the 5 day break. I decided to stay here at Otterbein over break. But I still got some family time because my mom and one of her sisters were driving to West Virginia to see one of their other sisters, so they stopped here on their way and I went with them and we had a relaxed, fun day of shopping and catching up. I couldn't help but make the connection between my mother and four sisters and the Women in Leadership class.

Mom is the youngest of six children, five girls. They grew up in the same small town I did- the same house even. I have a huge amount of respect for them. They grew up in a completely different time, obviously. I don't feel that I personally encounter adversity due to being a woman. But I know they did. Between the five of them, they have worked in the medical, education, business, and financial sectors, and, I'm sure, a few others that I just haven't heard about yet. And they did this when it was incredibly difficult for women to even be considered in those fields, let alone be able to succeed. I can't explain how proud I am of my mother and her family. I feel that women like them were among the generation that broke through so many of the “glass ceilings” that women my age can barely imagine. In most cases, we are now given an equal amount of respect as men, but we don't have to fight for it quite like our mothers did. Of course I love my mom, but she happens to also be one of the best people I know. The experiences that got her where she is today made her into a strong, caring, and wonderful person, and she has four sisters with the same qualities. This group of women are one of the standards by which I judge my own success, and even though that at times is an intimidating standard, I am so glad that I have such influences in my life.