Saundra’s Story

I grew up in a family of strong, independent women. Some of my earliest memories were sitting at the kitchen table listening to my mother and my aunts talk. From an early age, I was raised with the mindset of “you need a good education and a good job, so you don’t have to depend on anyone but yourself.”

I took those instructions to heart. I went to college and eventually found myself on a corporate path. My first job was working for a fabulous woman who worked her way up from a secretary to a Vice President during a time when women were just entering into corporations. She was as tough as nails but she became a great mentor and taught me how to climb the corporate ladder.

The one lesson I’ll never forget is how upset she would get when some of my feminine traits came out at work. It was then I learned that in order for me to be successful at work, I’d have to switch my femininity off. I couldn't be a woman – I had to act like a man.

I compromised my feelings so I wouldn’t appear too emotional. 
I silenced my voice so I wouldn’t come across as too opinionated. 
I had to put my dreams on the backburner to prove my commitment to my career.