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 dissapointed she would get when showed my feminine side. I learned then, 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.