Lifting Women Leaders

“Over the years in my career, I’ve noticed that women are not really great at selling themselves. We hold ourselves back, whereas men tend to take the leap. So, as a boss, I encourage women to apply to positions for promotion—and assure them that they’re ready to do so. You have to make it an expectation.”

“As a female science teacher and former scientist, some of my female students were inspired to delve into a career in science as well. They shared that, prior to taking my class, they never visualized themselves being successful in the field of science. But after being in my class and hearing about my journey as a scientist and educator, they were encouraged to pursue a science career.”

"I constantly encourage my students to think and ask questions and work to deepen my own understanding of how to get students to identify and solve problems. I have the daily opportunity to engage students in topics that may lead them to a career in science and research, or other fields that use science and engineering to solve everyday problems."

“Diversity is needed for any community to grow and flourish—especially for change to occur. As teachers, leaders and continual students, we must listen and learn from others in order to grow." 

“I established the All Star Boyz Step Team, teaching the importance of leadership, self-discipline and brotherhood. The step team performs all over the city. Other than teaching boys the art of stepping, I help prepare them for their future, exposing them to new experiences, building their self-confidence and reinforcing ethical standards.”

"As a black woman educating young boys of color, I am conscious of the fact that there are more women than men in higher education in every state in the nation. Boys are more likely to be disciplined, placed in special education, more likely to commit acts of violence and to be victims of violence. For black boys specifically, the rates are much higher. These institutional problems are detrimental to the outcome of these boys in adulthood, who experience issues such as higher unemployment and incarceration rates."