we can. we wil. a snapshot of women in leadership

We Can. We WIL.a snapshot of women in leadership

November 9, 2006

Dear Women Leaders and Friends:

Women in Leadership (WIL) is an initiative with the goal to advance women■ by establishing relationships and networks;■ by articulating a common vision;■ by sharing strengths and weaknesses; and ■ by learning from successes, failures and stories

in an environment where values, beliefs, cultures and a common goal provide a fundamental basis and foundation in knowledge-sharing for current and future leaders.

The Women in Leadership program is created to enhance and empower women in their leadership development by:■ creating opportunities for women to experience the demands of working with diverse individuals and

challenging issues; and■ facilitating a learning environment reflected on collective, interactive and collaborative processes utilized

in business theory and practice.

CORO Mission StatementCORO’s mission is to strengthen communities and the democratic process by preparing individuals for effective and ethical leadership in the public affairs arena.

Women in Leadership (WIL) VIII Mission StatementWIL VIII is a diverse group of women networking with other women to foster leadership, personal/professional growth and quality of life and life balance.

We Can. We WIL. A Snapshot of Women in Leadership.We Can. We WIL. is a compilation of leadership stories from diverse women in leadership positions. This collectionfulfills the WIL VIII mission statement and provides a template for all women to share, to reflect and to discover. Womenin leadership roles, whether in the United States, in Israel, or in any sphere of the universe, share a common ground. We Can. We WIL. aims to guide women, from generation to generation, in their endeavors towards leadership. Thewomen of WIL VIII envision that this compilation will continue beyond our program session, with both our own groupand the succeeding WIL class members, in order to maintain the WIL spirit and tradition of the project.

The WIL VIII Class Members are honored to present this publication to you. We extend our sincere appreciation to the women and men who afforded their time by sharing their inspirational stories with us over the last eight weeks. We thank Jack Horner Communications for designing this publication and to Ditto Document Solutions for printing this publication. And lastly, we thank Maggie Sullivan and Cynthia Williams at CORO for giving us the opportunity to learn and grow as women in leadership.

Sincerely,CORO Women in Leadership VIII Class Members:

Mary Kate Bartley

Renee Coyner

Diane Hughley

Shirley Muhammad

Tess Riesmeyer

Jessica Varone

Lynn Brusco

Michelle DeBlasi

Rochelle Jackson

Maria Polinsky

Tara Simmons

Leigh White

Cary Cameron

Heather Glenn

Edye Lloyd

Terry Pronko

Adva Steuer

Jeaneen Zappa

What is your definition of

leadership?Describe a time as a young girl that you felt

empoweredLooking back, how does that example make you realize that it was a

defining momentin your journey as a leader?

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in your life are you most PROUD of?

Describe a time when your role as a leader has

challenged or conflictedwith personal priorities and responsibilities.H o w d i d y o u h a n d l e i t ?In your opinion, did this conflict potentially arisebecause you’re a woman in a leadership role?

What, or who, are yoursources of strengthin your day-to-day living?

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can support and be supported by other women?

What ADVICE would you give those who

want to become tomorrow’sw o m e n l e a d e r s ?

women in leadership

to take action about something;and/or take a stand.

If you could visit ONE PLACEin the world that you have not been to,where would you go? Why?

I f y o u w e r e g i v e n

million dollarsto invest, what charity or issue would you support? Why?

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A leader must be a good example, accept responsibility (especiallywhen things go wrong), be willing to work hard, know his or herstrengths and weaknesses, and be able to inspire.

MMotivateW e C a n . W e W I L .

As a young girl, I was extremely shy. I don't recall any instances in my youth in which I felt I was a leader (except when the band directorasked me to direct the band one day – just for one song). I would saymy defining moment as a leader did not come, for me, until I was anadult with children of my own. I remember walking into the mothers'meeting for my oldest daughter's Girl Scout troop. She had just joinedand all the leaders and mothers were Girl Scout "rookies." I rememberthe energy of the girls in that room and the "light bulb" went off. I saidto myself, "I want to be a part of this."

Going back to my girl scouting years, I soon became my daughter's Girl Scoutleader and when her troop earned its First Class Scout awards, I was extremelyproud of that group. I continued as a Girl Scout leader after my own daughters"graduated" from Girl Scouting by serving as a leader for another troop thatearned its Silver and Gold Awards. Those girls worked hard for years to earnthose awards and I was proud of them and proud to see them succeed.

Tough question. I think any person who volunteers in any capacitywhether it is for their church, their community or their children makes a sacrifice of time, at the very least. But that kind of sacrifice helps usgrow as people.

Sometimes the time I spent volunteering made it difficult to keep up with myresponsibilities at home and my family felt neglected. I didn't always handleit well and often suffered from "burn out." I do believe it is harder for womenbecause we are still expected to fill many roles. It is more understood nowthan it was years ago when I was handling many responsibilities at once,but I don't regret the time I spent volunteering; it made me a better person.

My faith is a constant source of strength to me. I also have familymembers and good friends who are sources of strength to me.

I am supported by the women in the professional organization to whichI belong – the International Association of Administrative Professionals,an organization for office professionals. Our monthly meetings includeeducation, networking, and social time to be together. I would hopethere are similar organizations for women who are working inleadership roles in businesses of all kinds.

Short and sweet, go for it. We need you in business and in politics!

I would do the same thing Warren Buffet did – give it to the GatesFoundation. It is a tried and true, well-run organization doing lots of good in the entire world.

I have no one instance but laughter is so important – especially beingable to laugh at yourself. Humor is so important. At times, we need tonot take ourselves so seriously.

I've always wanted to visit the Taj Mahal because it is exotic to me.

The Grand Canyon. Wow!

My faith.

Patricia BaileyExecutive Legal Secretary

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP

For what cause would you be willing to make a

Name a situation where

HUMORWhy was laughter important?

has helped youmake it through?

If you could have any

V I E W from your back porch, what would it be?

What gives the most

MEANING to your life?





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Leadership is leveraging the strengths of others to achieve a common goal.

W e C a n . W e W I L .

There is not one single defining moment, but from a young age I wanted to be one of the decision makers, and not simply one of the followers.

Moving to Pittsburgh with only my husband and being able to quickly adjust and flourish despite being out of my comfort zone.

Abortion rights

My husband, my parents, and my friends are my strength and energy.They have taught me the importance of leadership and of "doing," andnot just talking about things that need to be changed.

Providing opportunities for each other (civic and professional),encouraging each other, staying connected to serve as a supportsystem.

Learn how to leverage the talents of others; it is the key to productivity.

I will never hide my femininity. I don't think that it compromises myleadership ability. I like surprising people by being able to be secure in myself.

The ocean.

Being married to my soul mate and giving back to the communities to which I belong.

Going on vacation to the beach with my family each summer.

Erin BakerRecruitment Manager

Coro Center for Civic Leadership




What gives the most


How do you preserve yourfemininity and your sense of yourselfas a woman in the midst of your life as a leader?

What is your favorite

childhood MEMORY?



1 Charities that support the fight against violence towards women and girls. Empowering women and girls is the key to our future.

Lead





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A leader is a charismatic individual that is well respected by peers,influential, motivational, and inspirational to those in his/her circle and outside as well.


A defining moment in my journey as a leader was when I used to be deeplyinvolved in music as a rap artist. I made a choice not to record negative lyrics,but instead focused on songs that would uplift and empower women. At a timewhen “gangsta rap” was going strong I made a conscious decision to putmusic out into the universe that would influence a positive change. I wasfortunate enough to travel a lot with a small label and did many shows on theWest Coast. I was invited to speak at music conferences as well. I didn’t goplatinum. I didn’t end up becoming wealthy from it, but people listened. I gotsome of their attention and I saw the power of words and the influence theyhave. It was then I knew I’ve got more work to do. This is just the beginning.

I am proud of a lot of my accomplishments. Aside from obtaining a Masters in Education, the community web site that I created in my small basementapartment is probably the one that is really important to me. I call it The SoulPitt. Even though “Soul” is used to represent the African American influence inPittsburgh, it can also be related to the fact that I put my heart and soul into thisproject. I wanted to give something back to the city, to my community, and tomy friends. I did it for free, on my own time, and never expected anything back.I wanted to cause change in the attitudes of those that felt there wasn’t anythinggoing on in the black communities in our area or that negativity is all you see. I am most proud because it was something I did that I love doing and it turnedout to be such an influential instrument in the city of Pittsburgh and beyond.

It’s not a cause, but my family is something that I would sacrifice anything for. My mother and father are my inspiration and support system. I am an only child and I’ve always referred to us as “The 3 Amigos.” They have supported me in everything I have wanted to do. As they get older, I realize that I mayhave to give up some things that I am doing to help them out and I am morethan willing to sacrifice what I have to in order to make them as happy in their“golden years” as they have made me.

I never knew I was a leader until everyone started telling me this. In 2004, I received the Women of Influence award from the Courier. Then in 2005, Ireceived a Trailblazer Award from Renaissance Publications. I used to say, it’s only a community Web site, but that Web site was like my voice and myvoice had influenced a lot of people. Eventually, people would call or email me to help them with their causes or put out messages to the community toinfluence them on certain issues. I was expected to attend certain functions and know who everyone was. I think that because I am a woman, people tendto ask more from me than they would if I was a man. Everyone wanted a smallpiece of me at a time when I was going through many struggles in my life, frommy father having cancer to a divorce. My personal life and business life were at a constant struggle and I needed balance in my life if I wanted to keep bothareas in check. No matter what leadership role you are in, remember, yourhealth is more important. I have learned that I cannot help everyone or be therefor everyone in my business life. I had to learn to take time out for myself everynow and then. You have a personal responsibility to yourself to take care ofyourself. This in turn, will help you be a better leader.

My spiritual belief that God will take care of me no matter what, my parents, and close friends are my sources of strength.

Don’t be afraid to just do it! You only fail if you don’t try. Also, utilize the resources out there for women and utilize the Internet and use it tonetwork with people all over the world. And don’t worry, all leadership is not natural – this is something that you can learn to do. And if you so happen to find yourself as an influential leader one day, please use it to lead people in positive directions.

By mentoring. I believe that we all need good mentors and role models.

Definitely a drama called "The Moonlighting Entrepreneur!"

I would support several things. First, I would give a portion to my homechurch back in Johnstown PA. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church has beeninstrumental in creating the person I am today. I would also give toprostrate cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. My father is a cancer survivorand my mother has been afflicted with severe rheumatoid arthritis sincethe age of 30.

Donna Michele BaxterFounder / Web Mistress

The Soul Pitt


What gives the most


If your life weremade into awould it be a soap opera, a drama, or a sitcom?W h a t w o u l d i t b e c a l l e d ?

TELEVISION SHOW,

My father's barbeque and collard greens fresh from his garden, mycousin's macaroni and cheese, and my mother's sweet potato pie!

I would only need one thing…my laptop – that’s my livelihood! If I have that, I can get back a lot of what I miss.

What would be on the menu for your

ultimate birthday dinner?

Knowing that I am not just going through a routine every day withoutinfluencing a soul in this universe. When my time is up on earth, I wantto know that I left a positive impact and what I did, or what I said, stayswith those I leave behind.

If you could only save 3 material possessions,what would they be?What makes these things so important to keep?


leadership?

Describe a time as a young girl that you felt



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Leadership is a role one takes that enables you to reach a goal through other people. Leadership is situational and effective leadershiptechniques can be learned and practiced as can ineffective leadershiptechniques. (And, I've learned quite a few ineffective leadershiptechniques in my life!) The most effective leaders I've known don'talways lead from the front of the pack, often times they lead frombehind, coaching and supporting the team, group, etc. to continuemoving roughly west.


I can't remember a time as a young girl that I didn't feel empowered. My parents,especially my father, were extremely supportive in opening up opportunities forme to decide if I wanted to participate, whether it was Girl Scouts, majorettes, or academically. We weren't a family that talked politics or current affairs at thedinner table, so the idea of being active in the community was a foreign conceptto me until I got much older. But through many of the experiences as a teamplayer (sports, majorettes), I had interesting experiences that have reoccurredduring my work life. Examples are the cliques and the cattiness of women/girls,it’s deadly and counter productive; or, when you’re promoted from the team/groupto leader, your relationship with friends and colleagues changes, even if youdidn't want it to. Traveling with the majorette corps to every small town in PA, I realized that the world was bigger than just my home community. I learnedtricks, techniques, and routines I picked up from competitors could be usedeffectively on my team (what I now would call benchmarking.) I also learned that all of the talent in the world doesn't help you break through the ceiling.Talent, accomplishment, and hard work get you to a certain level in theorganization. To break into the senior ranks it's really who knows you and who will take your cause or who won't stop your ascension that matters.

Buying my first home.

I don't think of myself as a person with great passion for any cause. I give my time and financial resources to support Bethlehem Haven and, sometimes,when I'm writing the checks these days I would say it's a bit of a financialsacrifice, but I don't normally think of it that way. I left the corporate sector, andthe significantly higher salary, to move back to Pittsburgh and became engagedwith the wonderful nonprofit sector. But, I really don't consider the move out of the sector and the reduction of income to be a tremendous sacrifice.

As a senior manager at a very large corporation, there were many times when I was the messenger and it didn't matter whether or not I agreed with the message. After a while though, I realized that my personal beliefs were really out of sync with the senior management team. And at that point, I knew it was time to look for another option. I don't believe that my gender was afactor in that disconnect.

Share opportunities and introduce your colleagues to opportunities you have enjoyed or groups to which you belong, i.e. share your WIL experience with other women. Introduce women in your class to one membership organization to which you belong.

Take a hold of and welcome the opportunities that come your way.You'll never know when that small opportunity could provide you the skill or experience needed for your next step.

Ride a bicycleEarn a Ph.D. Find the artistic side of myself.

I was on a special assignment for almost a year. Several of us on the teamwere sequestered in a very small conference room every day working on theproject. Deadlines were always shortened; the financial implications to thecompany were in the tens of millions of dollars in penalties. So, the pressurewas intense. When I started with this small team, I never understood the GaryLarsen comics. I came to understand them and each day's cartoon, along withgallows humor, is what kept us sane. As long as you’re laughing at yourselfand not taking yourself seriously, but taking your work seriously, you'll be betteroff and your relationship with your colleagues will be deeper. At the end of theproject we had a celebration. We told our story in the form of doctored upLarsen cartoons. It was a hoot and brought the house down.

The elimination of poverty. From my work with PSVP, I've seen howpoverty is generational as well as situational. Poverty keeps people from reaching their potential, and it keeps their children from reachingtheir potential. Surviving poverty is almost an impossible obstacle toovercome, but it can be done, and the impact on our community andsociety is great – economically and socially. Many of the negativecharacteristics of our society are caused by or exacerbated by poverty,crime, drug use, mental and physical health, teen pregnancies, lowgraduation rates, etc.

The same view as I had from my condo in Florida – the water, a fewpalm trees, birds, dolphins, and sail boats.

Chocolate cake with cream cheese icing, chocolate covered cherries,peanut M&Ms, white pizza with spinach and feta cheese, ramen noodlesalad, and iced tea.

Terry BeggyExecutive Director

Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners







3What things would you do if you

knew you would not fail?




childhood MEMORY?


I live for the opportunities to see the eyes of my niece and nephew lightup as they learn new things or see something new in the world.

Trick-or-Treating with my father. He had certain rules: no masks thatmade it hard to see; no crying; no one could fall behind; and he who gets home at the end of the evening with the most candy wins!Strategize when going after candy. Don't pick the houses with manysteps. Don't be afraid to cut across peoples lawns. Don't check on yourcandy while you're in pursuit, there's plenty of time for that later. Somehouses give better treats than others and remember which ones fromyear to year. And always remember, dad's there to keep you going.





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1Leadership is the ability to persuade people to act toward a goal even when they are reluctant to do so.

After a visit to the University of Oxford with my father, I made up my mind that was where I wanted to go. And despite all alternatives offered, I would not consider that I might not get there.

Standing up for academic freedom for all while I was a professor in South Africa during apartheid.

Educational opportunity for all.

Balancing professional opportunities with the obligations of family.

The examples of my remarkable parents and my creative husband. All people of great integrity.

We all need encouragement and appreciation, and by taking a GENUINE interest in the progress of each other.

Be flexible; keep learning; volunteer for the hard jobs; always presentyourself appropriately; and be articulate. Know when to take risks.

Advanced degrees in chemistry and physics Fly an airplaneNegotiate the peace of the world

The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia to see the great art collection. I find art transforming.

Advance the progress of women in science and technology.

Queen Elizabeth I. How did she learn to be so effective?

Humor will help you make it through the darkest days especially if you laugh at yourself.

Doreen E. BoycePresident

The Buhl Foundation







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You can select one leader from historyand ask them a question to which they must give a truthful reply.

Whom would you select, and what question would you ask

MMentorW e C a n . W e W I L .





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1Preface: I offer a fluid definition of leadership that depends on thepopulation, set of circumstances, and needs of the group. In general,leadership is assessing a given situation and providing the creativeactions/guidance necessary to receive a desirable outcome. Thedetermination of success or failure depends on he/she who serves as judge.

As the president of my high school sorority, I wanted our members to perform an act of kindness for Christmas. I convinced two or threemembers that in performing acts of kindness we would get our picturesin the local newspaper and that we would be called good citizens.Hearing that, the other members quickly agreed to perform acts ofkindness. I may never know if they agreed to participate to be goodcitizens or to get their pictures in the paper. What I do know is I wasable to provide the means of successfully achieving good and givingour sorority a positive image in our community.

I am most proud of raising my children to be happy, healthy,contributing members of society.

I can't say at this moment. I have principles. When those principles are challenged, I am most likely to speak out (or make the sacrifice) to alter the situation.

I served as the chancellor of a college campus. I had to be available tomake decisions at an instant. My personal priorities and responsibilitiescould never take top priority. My students, faculty, and staff became mytop priority, and, as such, my priorities were clear. This had nothing todo with the fact that I am a woman.

First, I really gain my strength from my family. Second, I gain mystrength from my religious beliefs. Third, I gain my strength from my friends and colleagues I have worked with over the years.

Women should support others based on an honest belief that the person deserves support. This system has proven to work better for me than blindly supporting one gender over another. Seeing fairness,other women hopefully will be inclined to give honest support to another woman.

Know your business! Be fair and strong in your convictions.

This is silly. The fear of failure is a good thing. It is what will keep you focused and on task. I don't ever want the fear of failure taken away from any project I am involved in.

I would love to go to Morocco. I am a lover of history, and I would love to see and learn more about North Africa. I have a friend fromMorocco who shares such wonderful stories about her people.

I am a supporter of literacy initiatives. Therefore, I would continue tosupport literacy initiatives, particularly adult literacy, both in the U.S. and in Africa. My thought is that by improving a person's ability to read, you give them the tools to improve their own lives for as long as they live.

There are several things that bring great meaning to my life. First, my family (especially my grandchildren). Second, my job, and myvolunteer activities. I love being active and giving of my time andtalents. I believe I get back just as much as I give. As long as thiscontinues, I'll stay at it.

I have many! I select the time I raced my dad across the schoolyard.The winner got an ice cream cone from my mother. I won!

JoAnne E. Burley, Ph.D. Executive Director

Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education


What gives the most





childhood MEMORY?

GGuideW e C a n . W e W I L .





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Leadership is inspiring others to follow your vision.


I grew up in India and went to school in a very British system. The new school principal and I were on a collision course of wills from the day we met. She did not like me. I did not respect her for letting her dislike for me show, because I believed that in her position she had a responsibility to treat everyoneevenhandedly. I treated her in a perfectly respectful manner although I probablydid not light up with enthusiasm when I encountered her. I was "prefect"(captain) of my "house" (the school was divided into four houses). I realizedthat the principal sometimes discriminated against my house because shedisliked me. I did not like the fact that she disliked me. I had not experiencedthis often. I believed then, and still do, that in her position she had aresponsibility to treat everyone fairly. I thought it extremely unfair that her dislike of me hurt my house and the kids I felt responsible for, in the same way I believed she should feel responsible for the whole school. I struggled throughthis but saw that the only way to deal with this was to inspire my house, myteam, to be the best at everything and always beyond reproach. That year wewon every award there was to win as a team. And we had more fun at it thanany of the other houses. I did it by encouraging and leading, never bypunishing. The principal scolded me once for not punishing a kid from myhouse for some minor infraction that meant nothing. At the time, and even more, now I realize that I learned crucial lessons then. It was a very goodexample of how a tough situation teaches you a lot and makes you muchstronger. I could take you back to an earlier time when I probably learned that if you believe in justice you will have the courage to fight. One of my neighborswas having his lunch stolen every day by another boy in his kindergarten class.His older brother who was in my second grade class was too afraid of thisrough, tough kindergarten kid to tell him he'd better stop this. So I did. I told him I'd beat him up. There was no evidence to suggest that I could, but theconviction with which I said it worked. There were no stolen lunches after that.

The births of my children. Nothing compares.

To make things truly better for kids all over, especially the millions ofkids who die every year from hunger.

This has been something I have come to expect, particularly when you have youngchildren at home. And yes, most certainly the conflict is more likely to arise becauseyou are a woman. What do you do when you have an ill child you want to be athome to comfort but you also have an office full of others with ill children and no one to cover for you. It's a funny story that comes to mind though: I was to presentan award to a colleague at a large morning event. It was a school day and I was well on my way to dropping my kids off at school in time for both school and theprogram. We were almost there when my daughter announced that we had left "thebaby" (one of those middle school educational deals) at home. This would have been a great embarrassment to her and my absence at the presentation would be an embarrassment to me and an insult to my colleague. I did not have a cell phone. I did consider abandoning the baby, after all is was just a bag of flour! But we did go home and get the baby and I missed the presentation.

I really think that opportunities to talk to other women and the creationof more effective networks help. I find that it is only later in my careerthat I have found some of those networks.

My whole extended family. Scattered as we are geographically, we stayconnected and feel the strength of that connection. It gives one strengthand stability, and as I think about it, I can be having a really tough dayand can interact briefly with a little kid and I'm full of joy again. At afundamental level, without any conscious thought it reminds me why Ido what I do.

Frankly, I don't think that wanting to become a leader has anything todo with it. If you have a vision, a cause, something you really believein, go for it. Let what you believe in lead. You are just the means. Infact, I might even say I have trouble with the idea of wanting to be aleader as an end in itself. Also, have wonderful strong role models inyour family!

Run USAID, the World Bank, or the United NationsGo hang glidingClimb Everest

Mary CarrascoDirector International and Community Health

Pittsburgh Mercy Health Systems







What gives the most


World hunger. I would work on systemic issues not use the money tobuy food

Gandhi. What kept you going during your darkest days?

Humor helps me through every day.I see abused kids and if I could not laugh I could not continue to do the work I do.



?



The ocean.

Doing something that makes a difference to peoples lives.





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If you could visit ONE PLACEin the world that you have not been to,where would you go? Why?Having the charisma and vision that others want to follow yet being

self-assured enough to follow when appropriate.


Taking a stand physically and verbally against my father andovercoming the consequences. That made me realize I was strong enough to do anything.

Providing advice to my grandfather on how to die.

Racial equality and human rights.

My role as a leader, particularly as a business owner, is challengedoften. The right thing to do in business, i.e. making money/the bottomline, is in conflict with my personal agenda to help others regardless of outcomes/payment, etc. The conflict doesn't have anything to do with being a woman, unless you consider woman are typically morecompassionate in general than men.

Hope, Jesus, and my philosophy that everything and everybody is One.

Give them tools to be successful and introduce them to other peoplewho can help them to advance their agenda.

Be self-assured, strong yet compassionate. Surround yourself withexperts that are good people and give them all of the credit.

I'm not afraid to fail. Failing is learning and a door that opens to something else.

Jesus. "Why is it easier for people to hate than to love?"

Jerusalem and the surrounding area because that's where Jesus lived and preached.

Manhattan.

Broccoli and cauliflower casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, bread and butter, and almond torte.

Lynn ColosiPrincipal

Clear View Strategies LLC






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SStrength





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I believe that leadership can be defined in different ways depending on the context. However, central to leadership in all contexts is theability to recognize and call out another's gifts and talents and inspirethat individual to use those skills to accomplish a shared goal.


My grandmother once told me that when I was very young (probably in first orsecond grade) I saw one boy picking on another boy. I was a slightly built littlegirl who was short for my age. However, my small stature did not stop me fromputting myself between the bully and my classmate. I told him “You can't treathim like that.” Even when the teacher tried to intervene I wouldn't move until thebully was made to sit down. I suppose the teacher called home to discuss myobstinate behavior. I, however, am proud of that little girl. I think it defines myjourney as a leader because size, station in life, or sphere of influence has neverdefined my ability to stand up for what I believe. I am still known to say, “Youjust can't treat people like that!”

I am most proud of my ability to gain entry to, excel within, and graduate from college. Like many others, I am the first person in my family to attend aninstitution of higher education. In fact, college was not an assumed path I wouldtake. Choosing the colleges to which I should apply, navigating the financial aid process, and learning how to live in the world of academia were dauntingprocesses for me and my family. However, with the love and support of myparents I was able to succeed. I am proud of having taken advantage of thislife-defining, learning opportunity.

Integrity – holding to your values. I have been known to changeprofessions, risk losing friends, forego attractive salaries, and live with self-doubt before losing my integrity.

My husband, my close circle of friends, and my work keep me goingfrom day to day. I have known my husband, Joe, since college. Iadmire him and respect him. He is as amazing a role model as he is a supporter. My close circle of friends includes one representativefrom almost all stages of my life. These are the type of women who will get in the trenches with you when things go awry. Finally, my workis fulfilling. I believe in what I do and get excited by the possibilities ofwhat is to come in the future.

I firmly believe that mentoring is one of the most powerful relationshipsa woman can have with another woman. Every woman has a uniquelife experience, thus opening different doors of access andunderstanding. For those of us who know how to navigate a particularprofession, activity, or conversation, we should help other women tonavigate similar situations.

I would recommend that they try to frame the journey of leadership asperpetual journey rather than having an end point. I believe life is aboutlistening, learning, and evolving. Thus, I believe leadership is aboutlistening, learning, and evolving actively.

1) I would become a photographer for National Geographic magazine. 2) I would drive demolition derby cars in my free time. 3) I would convince my husband to join me as a vagabond wandering

the globe.

I'd want my back porch to be on the white sandy beach of LakeMcKenzie, a fresh-water lake on an island off the coast of QueenslandAustralia. I've never seen water so clear and sand so white.

I would save proof of my identity, my wedding ring, and my Bible. The trappings of life can always be rebuilt, but it's hard to get through a disaster without a support system and faith. The personalidentification just helps to expedite the process of moving on.

Mmmm... we'll begin with a house salad with homemade creamy garlic dressing from the Imperial, steak from Major's in Long Island, a side of Grandma's pasta, accompanied by grilled zucchini andsquash, and finished with banana's foster.

I derive most meaning from knowing that my life is bound to the rest of humanity. I have a history, a future, and the responsibility to makethe most of my present circumstances.

There was a tree outside my living room window that I adored climbing.When I would sit up in that tree I would sing for hours, making upsongs when I ran out of the ones I knew. I would sing so loud that theneighbors could hear me. What a feeling, my head in the clouds andnot caring who could hear me!

Lina DostilioCoordinator, Office of Service-Learning

Duquesne University




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Leadership is the ability to influence, motivate, and enable others –either formally or informally – and to contribute toward a success. That success can be in the workplace, within one's family, or in thegreater community.


I was 13 years old and nine months from confirmation in my church.Confirmation was a two-year process. A girl I grew up with in the churchattended the first year with our class. At the start of the second year, the minister changed the class from Saturday mornings to a weeknight. Because of her family situation she was unable to attend on weeknights. The ministersaid she couldn't be confirmed. However, the minister allowed two children who had never gone to church into our second-year class and said they wouldbe confirmed with one year of classes. I felt this was inequitable and organizedthe rest of the class to advocate with church council for the girl I grew up with.My mom organized all the mothers of the class and they showed up en masseat a church council meeting to advocate, as well. Moms and children together,we got council to agree to have the girl confirmed with us. This experiencetaught me that it is important to speak and act on injustice. It also taught methat at times it is possible to work within the system. While I didn't realize it at the time, I believe it started me on the path to a nonprofit career.

I'm not sure that I can select a particular event, but I am proud that myfamily and friends know they can rely on me to be there for them whenthey need me, in good times and in bad.

Equality in educational opportunities at every level. Education cannotsolve all our societal ills, but it can go a long way toward helping tosurvive many of them.

As the only woman on my organization's senior staff, I feel from time to timethat I have to be more responsible, more circumspect about mentioning familyresponsibilities, and more careful to behave in ways that can't be brushed off as stereotypical. In all fairness to my colleagues, I think that much of this maybe self-imposed. I came into the workplace when women were just starting tobreak barriers and the rules for breaking these behaviors were drummed into us by other female professionals, magazines, and books. I have aging parentswho need extra attention from time to time. Recently, one parent needed to havesome noninvasive medical testing done, which could have suggested a seriousproblem. I opted not to take another day off from work. The whole day I feltsignificant guilt because I kept picturing the other parent sitting in the waitingroom most of the day all alone. It probably would not have been a professionalissue had I taken the day off. All my old training and mentoring said, "Save theday for when you really need it."

I am fortunate to have great friends, many of whom are alsoprofessional women, who provide a significant source of strength when things are not going well. I have two nieces who keep me thinkingyoung and provide a lighter side of life. I'm fortunate to have a greatstaff that individually and collectively has a tremendous sense of humor.It helps us all to see the humor in almost every situation. Someone isalways able to find something for us to laugh about as a group. I hopemy leadership style has enabled this.

I think formal venues need to be utilized. They provide face-to-facenetworking opportunities that can't be replaced. In addition, womenmust seize opportunities to lead in other ways: community service or in-house committees that stretch their visibility and skills. It is veryimportant to work with girls and young women who will continue tobuild on the leadership opportunities that currently exist.

Don't allow anything or anybody to stand in the way of following yourdreams. Work hard and pursue as much education as you possiblycan. Make good choices professionally and personally so that you don't limit on your options.

It would be sitcom because I hope the story lines would make a compelling statement for finding some humor in virtually every situation. It would be titled "Always Time for Chaos."

The risks that are worth taking are those infused with some rationalbasis and carry the potential of reward for the greater social good.Those that are not worth taking carry the risk of greater danger for humanity.

I'd start a scholarship fund that focused on the "B" and "C" studentswho have drive and dedication but may not have the greatest academicgifts, or may not have been able to pursue them to the fullest. Thescholarship fund would look for those with hidden potential and thedesire to succeed no matter how hard they had to work.

1. Photos 2. Photos 3. Photos If I had the pictures of those most important to me I would feelcomforted and supported.

Being aware that I have been blessed with many gifts in life: goodhealth, a caring family, a strong work ethic, supportive friends, andexcellent professional opportunities. The only way to say thank you for this is to do all I can for those who have been less fortunate in the hope that their hidden gifts will flourish.

Janet C. Emery, CFREVice President and Chief DevelopmentOfficer

Pressley Ridge


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1Seeing needs in your community and engaging people to work with you to address these needs. A leader is a person who acts, who iscourageous and altruistic. A leader grabs people off of the sidelines –people who previously just watched, ignored, or complained about asituation – to activate and empower them.


It’s difficult to pick out one instance as the defining moment. I was inhigh school in the early 1970s, a time when the nation was in flux and turmoil. Much of the change hadn’t reached my suburban highschool, so I spent most of my teenage years as an activist. I helped toorganize the first city-wide coalition of high school students dedicated to protecting the environment, organized groups of students to protestthe Vietnam War, and successfully ran for student council, a councilwhich previously was mostly guys.

In 2005 and 2006, Run, Baby, Run was able to raise thousands ofdollars and provide hundreds of hours of volunteer help to the eightwomen running for state representative in Southwestern Pennsylvania.For years, SWPA’s delegation of 44 state representatives did not includea single female. Four of our candidates made it past the primary and, of these, several will win the general election on November 7, 2006.

I have and will continue to sacrifice on behalf of getting women elected.

I have not experienced this sort of a situation.

My daughters (both in their 20s), my sister, and my close friends.

1. Mentor and teach other women 2. Promote women 3. Patronize women owned businesses 4. Support female candidates

DO something. We are plagued by endless studies, studies that reveal things we need only look around to discern. We are plagued by discussion forums, where all issues are raised, some solutions areproposed, then participants walk away and nothing gets done. I advisewomen to use whatever resources they have, be they intellect, money,networks, or talents, to affect change.

Actually, it would be a dramedy (combo of drama and comedy). A good title would be “Somewhere between Heaven & Hell.”

I already have it. It’s a sweet little cobblestone alley, full of fruit trees and lilac bushes and a row of Dickensian Lawrenceville row houses.

Easy. I'd teach women how to run for office.

Rather than waste time with entrees, all I’d want is a superbly made, hot right out of the oven, chocolate mousse.

My old-fashioned, strict, no-nonsense Italian father would take my sister and me to Disney movies and McDonald’s every Saturday.

Gloria ForouzanProject ManagerRun, Baby, Run





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women in leadershipto take action about something;and/or take a stand.


I think of leadership as inspiring others to imagine their best selves, and the best of other people, and then working together to achieve that vision collectively. In practice,leadership requires being the one who is always setting the example. Whether it isdelivering projects on deadline, always showing up on time, or continuing to pushyourself to work harder. You have to hold yourself to the highest standard if you are to expect the same of others.


When I was growing up our local paper, The Miami Herald, had a student Op-Ed sectiononce a week called “Student Speak Out.” This space provided young people with theopportunity to share their opinions about a variety of topics. In sixth grade, when I was about 11 years old, I wrote one of the Op-Ed pieces featured in this section. In mypiece, I identified and offered solutions for some of the challenges that I saw in the publicschools I had attended in Miami. When I was considering writing the article, the editorof the “Student Speak Out” section had encouraged me to voice my opinions, but hadalso warned me that there might be some people who would be angry or upset aboutthe piece. Little did I know what I was in store for! The article ran on a school daymorning and by the time I arrived at school it seemed the entire building had irrupted inchaos. There were several teachers who were incredibly upset, many of which confrontedme about the article and chastised me for writing it. By the time I arrived back at home I was exhausted, had clearly been crying, and was pretty much ready never to take astand again. When I shared the stories of my day, my mother was outraged. She spentthe next morning at school in meetings with my teachers, meetings she insisted that Iattend with her. In these meetings she very calmly and clearly explained to my teachersthat while they certainly had the right to disagree with what I had to say, they could notdisagree with my right to say it. Watching my mother stand up for me in that wayhelped me to learn two critical lessons that I believe have been essential to my life goingforward. First, this experience made me realize that my mother believed that my voiceand opinions were valid and powerful and was something that I had the right to express,no matter how young I might be. Second, seeing my mother stand up for me helped toreinforce the kind of powerful support that would be standing behind me no matter what.

For the first 18 years of my life, my mother was a dental hygienist. As I prepared to leavefor college, it was beginning to become clear that the physical wear and tear from thejob – carpel tunnel syndrome in her hands and strain in her neck – were taking their toll. For several years, my mother, who demonstrated such fearlessness when it cameto coaching me on making decisions, had toyed with the idea of pursuing a MastersDegree and making a career switch. As a single mother, however, she said she was tooafraid of the professional and financial ramifications to take the leap. Over the course of several months, however, I took on a new role – one of coaching her to demonstratethe same fearlessness in her own decisions that she had always inspired in mine.Finally, as a result of my coaching and encouragement, she enrolled in a Mastersprogram, graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and left her job as a dental hygienist. At 50, shemade a complete career change and moved into a role as a technology integrator for aprivate school system in my hometown. The moment when I was able to take thelessons that I had learned from so many years of her encouragement and support andprovide that same opportunity for my mother was a moment of which I am incrediblyproud. It was an opportunity to truly give back to an incredibly strong woman whoworked so hard to ensure that I had the support and encouragement that I needed topursue my dreams. I am also now pleased and proud to report that just a few monthsago, my mother enrolled in a Ph.D. program with an anticipated graduation date of June2009. I am excited to watch her next adventures and achievements!

Freedom of expression is a cause that I hold very dear to my heart. I believe that anindividual’s right to express his/her beliefs is essential to a socially just society.

I can not pinpoint a specific time in which my personal priorities and responsibilitiesconflicted with my role as a leader. However, what I do feel more frequently, as I thinkmany women leaders do, is the challenge of continuously working at balancing. I havefound this to be particularly challenging because I feel so passionate about both mywork and my relationships. In terms of handling this challenge, what I have learned isthat at any given time there will be an aspect of my life that is neglected. In their turn,friends, family, work, volunteer responsibilities, and “me time,” will have their moment of neglect. However, the trick that I have found is making sure that each aspect is strongenough to endure a small bit of neglect and that the period of neglect does not carry onfor too long. I think about it in the same way as tending a garden. A garden can endurea period of drought as long as the plants are of sufficient size, the drought it is not toolengthy, and it is followed by a hearty rain.

The strong women in my life—my mother and grandmother, my very best friend, and the women with whom I work—are a daily source of strength and learning for me. Theknowledge that I have a safety net of unconditional love and support provides me withthe freedom to be daring and bold without a fear of failure. I also rely very heavily on the mantra, “At the end of the day, what’s the worst case scenario.” If I believe that I’ll be able to sleep at night given even the worst case scenario, I feel the freedom to moveforward boldly.

I believe that the honest sharing of stories and experiences can be an incredibly powerfuland empowering thing for women. By honestly sharing with one another both thetriumphs and tragedies of our experiences, we create the space in which we can learnfrom one another and can provide comfort to one another in the face of great challenges. There is a quote that I keep on my desk that says, “Courage doesn’t always roar.

Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says ‘I'll try againtomorrow.’” It’s by an American author and artist named Mary Anne Radmacher. I’ll look at this quote when I’ve come to the end of a day that has been filled with seeminglyendless defeats and it makes me realize that when things get really challenging,sometimes success is just about standing up, dusting myself off, and trying again. I believe that continuing to try, looking for new and innovative solutions in the face ofseeming failure and defeat, is an essential task for leaders.

* Go Skydiving* Write a novel * Run for president

I would choose Madeleine Albright. I would ask her about the process that she usedduring her time as Secretary of State to make decisions. Given so many competinginterests, so many equally pressing concerns, I would love to know how she navigatedcoming to what she believed was the best solution.

Art history is one of my great passions and pleasures. If I could only visit one placewhere I have never been, I would visit the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Themuseum houses one of the finest and most diverse artistic collections in the world. I think I could spend years just taking it all in.

Outside of my professional life, I serve as a post-graduate residential advisor to first-yearstudents at Harvard University. I live in a dorm, take my meals in the dining hall, andprovide academic, social, and general life guidance to a group of 28 freshmen who willtell you themselves that they are long on intellect and short on common sense. Needlessto say, this is a position that requires humor in abundance. Whether it is shutting downthe 2 a.m. Broadway show tunes sing-a-long party or requesting that students not usethe stairwell to test the speed of a falling chair, most situations are best approached withwit and humor to lighten the mood. Frequently, when we are presented with the morehumorous elements of a situation, things that were once stressful become lessoverwhelming. Laughter clears our minds, connects us with those around us, andencourages a spirit of collaboration and shared growth.

My relationships with the people in it. I believe that at the end of the day, relationshipsare absolutely the most important thing and work to prioritize meaningful relationships in both my personal and professional life.

Lindsay HydeExecutive Director

Strong Women, Strong Girls, Inc.





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Being able to influence others to behave and follow your vision in orderto get to your desired results.

I was co-valedictorian of my high school graduation class, along withtwo boys. I decided that my commencement speech would be abouthow women can achieve anything, in any career, that they put theirminds to. It doesn't sound like a big deal today, but in the mid-70s, in a small town, it was quite an empowering speech to give.

Being the mother of two beautiful children (while having a successfulcareer).

Women's issues, especially those that involve underprivileged women.

Many, many times in my career, I have had to forego family functions,seeing friends, and most recently, miss my children's events. Although I was disappointed, I realized that sometimes, these things happen. I tried not to dwell on them and get too upset. I don't think that theconflicts arose because I am a woman in a leadership role. I just thinkthat the expectations of anyone, man or woman, in my position, arehigh. I have a supportive husband who understands that these conflictsarise. I couldn't have advanced without the support and understandinghe has given me over the years.

My children, my husband, my friends, and my wonderful colleagues.

I think we need to understand the many priorities we have in our lives,whether or not we are married, in relationships or, are single, havechildren or don't. Women need to mentor each other and help eachother navigate through different career situations and offer advice andguidance.

Understand that there are sacrifices, some personal and someprofessional. Keep your eye on your goals and keep working towardthem. If you have a setback, dust yourself off and keep moving forward. Be patient. You have to earn respect and advancement. It isn't just handed to you.

A sitcom. I juggle so many priorities at work and at home, thatsometimes, I just have to laugh! It would probably be called "WhenDoes She Sleep?"

I know some women who have families who try to keep their personallives and their professional lives very separate. I am so proud of myfamily, that I don't do that. Whenever it is appropriate, I make sure that I openly talk about being a mother, a wife, and a leader in my career. Itall shapes who I am and what kind of leader I am.

A view of the Aegean Sea, the same view I have from my family homein Greece.

I think you should take a risk when your values or beliefs are beingchallenged. You should also take risks when the rewards far outweighwhat would happen if you fail. I don't believe in taking risks that harmothers--either personally or professionally.

1. I know they aren't "material" possessions, but I love my children and my husband so much that I will put them first on the list! 2. All ofmy photos and the photos I inherited from my parents. These chroniclemy life and my family's history. 3. My family home and property inGreece. It preserves my heritage and is a way for me to connect withthat heritage.

Barbara Stefanis-IsraelSenior Vice President, Director of Marketing

MARC USA





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Inspiring people to do things they may not think they can.


As a girl, I had the typical love/hate relationship with my little brother. I wouldnever have admitted it at the time, but I adored him. A neighborhood boy, a yearolder than me, decided that picking on him would be his new hobby. I soughtcounsel and received varying advice from “Kick him in the @##$%." to “Ignorehim and he'll stop.” Just as the neighbor kid was about to display his bullyingways one afternoon, I stepped in and asked him a series of questions: Why washe doing it? What did he hope to accomplish? How would it make him feel if Idid this to someone close to him? I remember being so scared to summon upthe courage to speak up. I don't think anybody had ever confronted him before.He realized that, as a manly 10 year-old, picking on a kindergartner was “kindalame.” I try to remember that speaking up--and for--others can be a prettypowerful tool.

Starting our advertising agency. I can't think of anything that's assimultaneously scary and joyful as starting a company.

My children. I'd do anything for them.

At one point in my life, my role as a leader required a lot of travel. I channeled all those out-of-town moments of missing my kids into shoe shopping. And while I amassed quite an impressive Imelda-Marcos-like collection, it wasn'tmaking any of us happy. Then something really tragic happened in a project Iwas working on. A woman I'd come to admire lost her battle with breast cancer,leaving two kids without their wonderful, amazing mom. It struck me that I couldpotentially be an amazing person to my own kids. So I changed jobs, paths andpriorities. And yes, shoes. Taking control was an incredibly powerful thing.

My kids, Zoe and Max. I admire and respect them both. And every day, I try to make them proud in the ideas I create, in the way I run ourbusiness, in the decisions I make. Like everything else, I guess, somedays are more successful than others.

Empathy. A little understanding goes a long way.

Be yourself.

Write a book, competitive ice dancing, and karaoke.

I cannot name a situation where humor DIDN'T help me through.Laughter is my everyday companion. That, of course, along withbreathing and coffee.

None of the above. In my line of work, it'd be made into a series of 30-second commercials. The only saving grace is that they could beeasily skipped over with TiVo.

The one I have. Even with all its imperfections, I’m constantly remindedthat if you take joy in the little things, you'll never run out of joy.

Being a foodie, I could list menu items on and on. But as long as I was surrounded by friends and family, it wouldn't really matter.

Kris KnieriemPresident

Blender, Inc.








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Hair color.

The way I weigh risks is very simple. I never want to look back on my life and wonder 'what if?"


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1Leadership is the ability to encourage others to join you in common goal.


In third grade, I was able to mobilize a few classmates to stand up for a kid who was being treated unfairly by other classmates.

Being the first African American valedictorian of my high school classand my graduation from law school.

Equal rights for minorities and women.

I chaired a board that required travel and more time than I had originallyanticipated. I was the first African American to chair this committee andwas the youngest person on the board. I think that at times there mayhave been conflicts because of my age and gender. By being prepared,I was able to earn the respect and trust of my fellow board members.

God, my husband, and mother are my sources of strength.

Successful women should always be reaching back to help otherwomen achieve. This requires mentoring others so that you are helping to shape the next generations of leaders for this country.

Work hard, know your craft, and believe in yourself even when othersdoubt you.

I would like to work in the theatre, write a book, and paint.

I would like to talk with Harriet Tubman. I would ask her how she was able to do what she did at a time when her very actions couldresult in her death.

I would support literacy programs for African American youth. It is crucial that African American children understand the importance and value of an education at a time when so many other things (often negative) are competing for their attention.

My family gives me the most meaning in my life.

My favorite childhood memory is seeing my first Broadway play.

Rosa Copeland MillerAttorney

Reed Smith LLP


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My definition of leadership is one that is fearless, honest, humble,unselfish, responsible, accountable, trustworthy, understanding,dependable, helpful, and merciful.


Believe it or not, at the age of three, I remember a group of childrenapproaching and threatening me to play with them as I sat on a step. I did not want to and told them so. They vowed to never play with meagain in life if I did not play with them. I stood up and told them, I didn't care. They left and I sat back down and, in solitude, I comfortablyenjoyed playing by myself. This was my first known sign that I was nota follower.

To have had the opportunity to have two children makes me the most proud. To bring forth human life into the world is a physicalaccomplishment only held by women and only matched by Allah (God) himself.

I'm willing to sacrifice for the cause of freedom, justice, and equality formy people and our youth. I am also willing to sacrifice for the cause ofridding our communities of increasing diseases and senseless killings.

Being looked upon as a leader demands much of my time. Familyresponsibilities tend to fall short. To better handle all my responsibilities,I use a planner and prioritize my tasks. I set aside one day a week forfamily recreation. I also tell my family often that I love them. I found thatconflict arises because, as a woman in leadership, additional tasks areadded to my plate but the regular ones are not removed. In other words,I'm still expected (and I accept) to fulfill the duties of a wife and mother.Yes, I must become that Super Woman.

My strength comes from Allah (God), my family, and my brothers andsisters of faith.

Interaction is key. When leadership supports others, others supportleadership. Leadership should not have a big “I” and little “you” attitude.Instead leaders must share wisdom and knowledge to uplift a personand be open to others' needs and wants.

My advice is to learn to be a good giver, listener, and follower, first. This will make you humble, caring, and understanding. The role is not something you ask for. Sometimes it just happens through properrighteous growth. Remember a leader is based on how someone sees you. Not on how you see yourself.

If given one million dollars, I would invest in a center in the blackcommunity which would focus on manhood and womanhood training,becoming entrepreneurs, and developing support groups for AIDSvictims.

For me, risks that are analyzed on paper are worth taking. Gut feelingsare not (it could be indigestion).

My view would be of an ocean with the sun rising and setting. How peaceful and calm.

A man was outside being beaten by a couple of men with baseballbats. He screamed dearly for help. I opened my door and his bloodybody fell in, while the other men ran off. I called for an ambulance.Though some mocked me for opening my door, I know my actionssaved his life. I'm proud I did.

The elated joy I felt when at the age of seven, I won the last, beautiful,red, three-ring binder notebook. Out of all the prizes, this is the one I wanted the most. I closed my eyes, made a wish, and they called my name.

Stacey M. MuhammadWomen's Trainer

Muhammad Mosque No. 22




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childhood MEMORY?

Think of a time when you felt

empoweredas a citizen or community member?What happened? What did you do? What madethis possible? How do you feel about it now?

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Doing what's right. Setting an example for others to follow. Beingconsistent with your words and actions. Following through with your commitments.


When I was a senior in high school, a number of top students were accused of cheating in order to win in a contest that was very important to our school.Most of the other students felt comfortable with "the ends justify the means"approach to the situation. I did not. I eventually convinced my colleagues thatwinning was not as important as maintaining integrity and playing within therules. I was a most unpopular figure for a time because I insisted on turning myown friends in to the authorities. After some time, some of my fellow studentscame around and agreed with me and the stance I took, but many never did. It certainly was a defining moment for me to realize that doing "the right thing"was not always the popular thing, but that doing the right thing was the onlyacceptable way to go.

Starting my own business and keeping it going for 15 years.

Family, justice, fairness.

Typically, any feeling of being challenged or conflicted comes from my tendencyto over commit and letting myself be spread too thin. I've often let myself get run down and put my health at risk by my failure to say "no" when I should. I'm getting better at that as I get older. Although I think women tend to getthemselves in that position more often than men, I don't think it's a function of being a woman. The only time I can think of that I thought my leadership was being challenged directly was when I was a new administrator of ahospital. A few of the department heads (all older males) thought they'd takeme on. I set the record straight by firing one of the ring leaders and the rest fell right into place!

Faith, friends, my husband.

Friendships are key, especially friendships with other women who are dealingwith similar stresses and challenges. I never had much in the way of mentoringin my career. I'm trying to mentor the younger women I work with and to givethem opportunities to take on responsibility whenever I can.

Be good at what you do. If you're good and you don't let people intimidate you,you will gain their respect. Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulderbecause you're a woman. I believe there is a glass ceiling in certain situationsbut I also think women sometimes use that concept as an excuse for why theyhave not been successful, when the truth is they haven't really developed theskills or taken on the challenges that lead to success.

I use humor in almost every situation. It invariably defuses tension.

I have never found this difficult. Maybe because I'm as big as most men (5' 9”), or that I played a lot of sports growing up, or that I hadfour brothers, but I always felt respected as a woman and equal to anyman I worked with. Very few times have I felt that a man tried tochallenge my authority because I am a woman. I guess I don't givethem the chance to do that. I'm confident with myself and if someonegives me grief I give it right back. I try to do it with humor, but if thatdoesn't work, I have no trouble taking off the gloves.

The Grand Canyon

My cabin in the woods. It’s a place of beauty which my husband and I worked hard to make welcoming for all our friends. My car, because Ilove the feeling of independence it gives. The letters written to me overthe years from family and friends. They remind me of those I love andwhy I love them.

Being a Catholic and struggling to encounter all experiences within theconstruct of my faith.

Anne MullaneyPartner/Attorney

Thorp Reed & Armstrong







What gives the most




I'm president of a neighborhood community group. As such, we havepretty good access to the "powers that be" in local and state government.As a group, we've been able to get a fair amount of money for projectswe felt were important to the city and/or our individual businesses. Itaffirmed that if you unite with people and push your agenda, you have a much better chance of prevailing than going it alone.

Christmas season with my siblings and parents.

Being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Nothing makes youfocus and/or helps clarify your values and beliefs more than that! I look at my diagnosis as a gift. We're all going to die eventually. Facing that reality as starkly as I did made me more committed to the things I hold to be important and made me less tolerant of wastedtime and opportunity.


childhood MEMORY?



Name a time when your valueswere tested and you were able tomanage the situation and preserve your beliefs?

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Leadership to me is having the ability to empower others by providing a clear sense of direction. I have always loved the statement that youcan't lead where you would not go and you can't very well teach thethings you do not know. Lead by example.


I can remember a group of girls picking on a "not so popular" girl inelementary school. It was a constant effort on their part and they weretrying to get me to join in with them. I felt so bad for the girl that I endedup not joining the others and actually becoming very good friends withthis girl (and remain so today). At that moment, I knew that I did notwant to be a follower. I wanted to make sure that I always would try tostick to my own convictions. As simple as that sounds, that momenthas stuck with me all these years and so has my friend.

Becoming a mom and raising two great kids.

I think I would be willing to sacrifice for any cause that I strongly believe in.

Events in my kid’s lives at times have conflicted with my work schedule.If I was not able to attend something for my kids, I always tried to"delegate" that and make sure that someone was there, alwaysreminding them to take pictures so that I can still enjoy and share inthose experiences. I think any mom would have conflicts and feelings of guilt, but we need to try to keep a balance and not beat ourselves up.(Easier said than done!)

Of course my faith and my family. They are there in both good and badtimes and have seen me at my best and worst and still stick with me!

I try to celebrate their achievements no matter how small, constantlyreminding them of their strengths and that they have the ability to besuccessful. There is power in positive thinking!

Know yourself. Also, realize that what you do and say can have animpact on others. Most of all, surround yourself with good people.

I would go to Italy. My entire life I have listened to stories of relatives over there and the towns. I would love to visualize that.

Pizza and Diet Coke (simple but true)

A sandy beach overlooking the ocean

I try to remain true to myself and my beliefs but at the same timerealizing that I, as a leader, have an impact on others. I also try tobalance all parts of my life: my job, my family, my communityinvolvement, and ultimately myself, while at the same time trying tomake major contributions to each one of them. (Sometimes "myself"gets left out!)

My relationships with my family and friends.

Lisa NeilPresident

Southwest Training Services, Inc.




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Leadership is the ability that one has for enabling a group to engage collectively in the process of developing, sharing, and implementing a vision. It is imperative that a leader has a group of people to lead. A pastor of mineonce said, “A leader without any followers is a man going for a walk.” There is a lot of truth in that little statement. A leader’s character and integrity shouldalso play a vital role in the definition of leadership. The integrity of a leadercreates trust. Building trust is necessary for plans to be implemented over aperiod and for the group to have faith in the direction your vision is going.

In middle school, I was invited to attend a leadership camp on the campus ofWright State University, Dayton, Ohio. During the course of the summer, one of my peers was accused of breaking the rules and was discharged from theprogram. Their decision to have her leave was not based on any evidence orfacts, just the word of a scared girl who told a lie. I was so disturbed by thesituation that I decided to leave the program, without informing my parents ofmy decision. The day I was moving out happened to be the day the program'ssponsors came for a tour to see their money in action. One of the sponsors hadasked me why I was leaving the program, and I took the time to explain that itwas by choice and why. Upon further review of the situation, the facts, and aconfession from the girl who lied, my friend was invited to return to the program.I was also asked to stay.

At this point in my life, the achievement I am most proud of is graduating fromcollege in the time I allotted for myself. I entered Fisk University, in Nashville,Tennessee, as a young girl with a vague sense of who I was. Over the course of four years, I met so many unique and wonderful people who blessed my lifewith the opportunity of getting to know them. I was also afforded numerousleadership opportunities that enabled to grow as a person. I was able to focusmy talents and truly know and understand who I was as a person, and the roleI play as a child of God first, a woman, African, African American, daughter,sister, significant other, leader, and a follower. My college years at Fisk werepriceless, and obtaining a degree from such a prestigious institution of highereducation was one of the happiest and most fulfilling days of my life.

Education. Education is the solution to a wide array of problems facing oursociety today. Knowledge of the mind is a tool that no man can take fromanother. With education, each one of us is the master of our destiny. I would be willing to sacrifice for the education of our youth.

As senior class president at Fisk University, I had many responsibilities to thegraduating student body. But as a graduating senior, majoring in biology, I hadan obligation to dedicate an appropriate amount of time to studying and to myprojects. The load as class president quickly became too heavy and I had tomake some adjustments. I rectified the situation by allocating some of theresponsibilities to my vice president and other officers on the senior executiveboard.

My number one source of strength is my God, my Lord and Savior. I know allthings are possible through Him, and He will always be there to guide me in allthat I do. My loving mother and father are also a major source of strength in mylife. They have instilled in me priceless values that have carried me a long way,and they continue to support me in all the decisions I make. Without their love,support, and discipline, I wouldn't be the woman I am today.

As women in leadership, we must continue to encourage ourselves and otherswhenever it is needed. One would be surprised how far an encouraging wordcan carry others.

First and foremost, love and respect yourself. If you do not respect yourself, how can you expect others to? Knowing who you are and your values is a great foundation for any vision and project you take. Please stand strong in your beliefs, but also be open to other people's opinions. You must keep anopen mind, but be firm in all your decisions. And remember that the only thingthat can limit your success is the limit you place on it.

1) Become the first woman president of Nigeria, my home country. 2) Build a hospital in an urban setting. 3) Advocate for universal health care.

I would visit Japan. I am extremely fascinated by the samurai, the militarynobility in pre-industrial Japan. Their dedication and sacrifice for the things they believe in can be implemented in our day-to-day lives. The education of a samurai was extensive and diverse. They had seven virtues associated withtheir code of conduct: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honorand glory, and loyalty.

United Negro College Fund, because a mind is a terrible thing to waste. TheUnited Negro College Fund provides scholarships for African American youthswho want to attend college, but just cannot afford the rising cost of a secondaryeducation.

Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. There would also be a plethora of seafood. Fine wines and decedent desserts that would have all my guestswaiting for my next birthday.

Contentment. With contentment, everything else will fall in place. You willdefinitely be happy, because you are satisfied with where you are. You will be successful by your standards, because those are the only standards thatcount. You will be in a position to share what you have with others.

Lola OluyitanPost Baccalaureate in Medicine/Masters in Health Management Systems

Duquesne University


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Leadership encourages communication and the exchange of ideas in a thoughtful manner. It does not rely on personality but on providingdirection.

While attending public school in an urban setting, I had never cutclasses to hang out with friends. Instead, I would encourage others notto skip classes. I realized that this was the beginning of my journey asa leader. A leader must be able to demonstrate integrity and lead byexample.

I have worked a full time and a part time job while attending graduateschool 3/4 time. I have maintained a 3.6 GPA despite the stress I haveincurred through this ordeal. For we walk by faith and not by sight.

I'm willing to sacrifice my time and energy in sharing the gospel of theWord of God to individuals who are willing to receive the word. Also, I am willing to assist individuals in improving their quality of living.

There are many days at work when individuals with HIV were in need of emotional and supportive services. Having to work overtime impededon my personal responsibilities at home. As a leader, you must have a Plan B in place. I would plan precooked meals, conduct householdchores on the weekend, etc.

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He is the source of my existenceand my strength. Without Him, I could do nothing and I am nothing.

Women in leadership can support others and receive support fromothers by offering constructive feedback and providing new resources to improve our learning.

Develop strong principles and implement them! Remember what worksfor others must work for you also.

1. Sing gospel professionally 2. Manage my own business 3. Be the president of the United States

I have experienced the death of several relatives within the past sixmonths. Laughter with friends and family has decreased my stress level and increased my strength to press beyond my comfort zone.

The Re-birth of Daphne Parker

Shrimp, lobster, yellow rice, asparagus.

My favorite childhood memory has always been the celebration ofChristmas. This holiday was a time of joy, peace, and gathering offamily members, dinner feast, lots of gifts, and no cares of the world.

Daphne ParkerDirector of Prevention Programs

Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force








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1Leadership is a take charge attitude that also inspires others to follow orstep up to become a leader. Leadership builds teams and createsconfidence in others. Leadership is a positive attribute not an ego inflator.


My father died when I was 13. My mother was 37 and a very strongwoman. About a year after my father's death my mother became anagoraphobic (panic attacks away from the home). My younger sister andI had to do everything external from the home on our own (high schoolplays, award banquets, college visits, hospital stays...). While we hadstrong home support (Mom was always available to talk with us), wegrew up quickly in the ways of the world on our own. We learned thatwhatever our age or gender or experience, we had the ability to go afterwhat was needed to build our lives. We were in control.

I don't think there is just one event that has made me proud. I becamepresident of ARC Technology (an Alpern Rosenthal subsidiary) in 1994and was married to a wonderful intelligent man the same month. Bothevents made me feel accomplished and fulfilled. In 2005, I started myown consulting company (after my clients pushed me for years) and thathas left me extremely satisfied. I experience pride everyday in my work,charities, and family. I guess I have a "no regrets" attitude at all times.

Family is number one. Friends is number two. All other causes comeafter. My non-profit interests revolve around education and helpingothers to help themselves.

In 2003, my company asked me to reduce the size of my division orthey would close the doors or sell us. I would still have my position of19 years. We had a team of professionals who created a wonderfulorganization for customer support and who enjoyed working with eachother. Each member played an important role in our quality of work anddelivery. I felt that we would not be able to provide the services ourclients required if the group was reduced. After much soul searching, Iapproached the entire team and laid the challenge before them. Allagreed with my analysis and we met with management and told themto sell us as a group. This was done. As a woman in a leadership role,my compassion for the group may have outweighed the businessaspect of the situation but these people are still my closest friends andbusiness associates today.

Religion, family, friends, and business associates. I am a peopleperson. Interaction with individuals from all walks of life daily adds to my wisdom base.

Networking, sharing of experiences, asking for help, offering help.Sharing and caring builds strength not weakness.

Find something that interests you and go after it! Use your strengths in apositive manner. Don't step on people to move up (you will need all ofyour allies when you get to your goal)!

I would make technology grants to nonprofits to improve theirinfrastructure and back office requirements. This would free up their ability to concentrate on the core values of their respectiveorganizations.

The ocean. I could watch the waves for hours. (Of course my type Apersonality would also want to ensure that I had good insurance in case of a hurricane!)

I was in a very important client contract negotiation with the top management ofmy firm and the client's firm. The main conference room that we were in wasfour sides of glass, floor to ceiling. The room was darkened for the Powerpointpresentation. Negotiations were intense and not going well. I tried to slip quietlyout to go to the restroom. I was walking while paying attention to the heateddiscussion taking place at the table. I completely forgot about the glass wallsand walked briskly into the wall with a loud crash. All conversation stoppeddead. Lights were turned on. All were concerned that I was injured. I tried to skirtthe fact that I had hurt myself by saying that my shoe had hit the wall. Allparticipants stared at the wall where my entire face print was smashed. I startedlaughing so hard that tears streamed down my face. Everyone else joined in.The contract was signed within 10 minutes. Tension was eased by my laughter.In hindsight, my embarrassing moment and how it was handled caused a focusshift and the contract differences didn't seem important anymore.

I started in the computer industry in the early 1970's. Very few womenwere in the industry at the time but it was a field where brains and logicwere important, not whether you were a man or woman, so I didn't feelthe pressures that women in other industries felt as they moved up theladder. Because of my childhood background, I never felt I had to beanything but myself in any role. I'm in awe of intelligence not gender.I'm a leader in what I know but gladly become a follower when I canlearn and better myself.

This question made me really think. When I watched all of the peoplelosing everything in New Orleans during Katrina, I was inspired thateveryone's consistent response was "but I still have my family." I'm notsure any material possession is worth a life or is important. My father-in-law has dementia. Loss of memories is and would be devastating. As long as I have my family, health, and memories, no materialpossession is important.

Patricia Cepko PolanskyDirector

Technology Consultants Alliance, LLC







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Good relationships with family, friends, and business associates.


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Helping the group to define a vision and make it a reality.

Managing my money well.

Raising a child.

My personal and leadership lives are separate enough that even if the group I was part of was in a different place than I was personally, I could still do whatever it was as an individual, no challenge orconflict. Being a woman hasn't seemed to be relevant.

My partner, my friends and family, my colleagues, the members of my communities.

We can set examples for one another. We can be there to answerquestions when needed. We can mentor one another.

Find someone whose leadership you admire and figure out what they'redoing. Think about ways you can apply what they're doing. Practice.Leadership is a skill that gets better the more you practice it. Don't giveup. Get involved in things you feel passionately about and for whichyou have a vision.

Apply for tenure. Submit a big grant. Decorate my house. Usually the possibility of failure doesn't prevent me from doing something.

Education and reproductive rights for women. These address the rootcauses of poverty.

Relationships with others.

Vista off a mountain side in the fall with the trees changing.

Deb PolkAssistant Professor

University of Pittsburgh




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Having a vision, being able to articulate it, and, by example,successfully encouraging those whom you are leading to follow it.


As a sophomore in high school, I had a male American History teacher. Thiswas in the early 70s, when "women's lib" was taking root and was the subjectof much discussion. This teacher often spoke very critically about womenworking outside the home. I gained a reputation in class for regularly taking him on to debate this issue. One day he casually mentioned someone withwhom his wife worked. After all of his editorializing on the subject, it turns outthat his own wife worked! The classroom immediately grew silent and everyone– and I mean everyone – turned to look at me, as if to say "you're not going tolet him get away with that, are you?" My classmates had clearly identified meas the right person to handle this situation. And I did.

Screwing up the courage, the wherewithal, and the intestinal fortitude to applyfor, get accepted into, and complete, law school. Nothing in my background orfamily life ever equipped me with the feeling that I could do something like this,but I did it.

I am willing to sacrifice for children. I think I have already done so, because I gave up a much more financially lucrative job in the for-profit world to work for a nonprofit serving low-income children. My drive to help children is basedlargely on feeling so incredibly blessed with four beautiful, healthy, loved, caredfor, and otherwise very fortunate grandchildren.

In my prior career, I was a very senior manager in a professional services firm. I have never had a job that I felt better suited for. I greatly enjoyed the manychallenges. But the stress level was extreme, the hours were long, and itaffected my personal life and my relationship with my husband. Eventually, Ihad to make the extremely difficult decision to leave the job, take some time off,and reassess. I suppose this conflict did arise because I'm a woman, because I simply don't know too many men who spend time pondering whether theirprofessional commitments are negatively impacting their families. I'm greatlygeneralizing, but I think women are more prone to undertake this type of self-assessment.

My husband, first and foremost. Silly as it sounds, my dog, because I havelearned amazing things from her about life in general, about setting prioritiesand making one's needs and desires heard! My two sisters are my greatest pals and because our parents died when we were on the young side, we havealways banded together. No matter what, we are always there for each other.The fact that there are four amazing creatures in the world who lovingly call me"Grandma" fills me with strength, and awe, and gratitude every single day. Myknowledge that I am an intelligent, strong, capable, and independent person isvery important to me.

By accepting the reality that having it all at the same time is a myth, and not misleading other women into thinking that it's possible. And that it's OKAY for it to be impossible, and that we are all in the same darn boat in that respect. By encouraging women to accept our imperfect, messy,complicated, multitasking lives and stop beating ourselves up over the fact that other women make it seem easier. By teaching those that follow us to stop apologizing for needing to deal with all of the things that women have to deal with every minute of every day.

Oh my. Where to begin? A couple of thoughts. Don't try to be anything butyourself, but be the best version of yourself. Be an excellent listener, not just a good listener, a superb, committed listener. Learn to listen. Study it. Practice it. Take a class if you have to. It is critically important. You'll almost certainly be asked to do things that are unpalatable to you, in the name of profit, oradvancement, or promotion, or something else. This is okay, as long as youhave a line that you'll never step over, and you cannot cheat by moving the line. The line stays put. The moment you shirk unpleasant tasks, people will seewhat you're up to. You won't get away with it. And if you fulfill an unpleasanttask and the result is also unpleasant, the absolute worst thing you can do ispretend like you weren't responsible. Learn how to make decisions. Make themthoughtfully, rationally, and after carefully evaluating the information at hand.After making the decision in this manner, be politely firm about it, don't second-guess, don't apologize for it, and don't lie awake at night agonizing over it.Move on. Sometimes "followership" is every bit as important as "leadership".Followership is a highly underrated skill that far too many people have.Leadership will, by definition, fail without followership. At some point in yourprofessional life, someone, or perhaps lots of people, will call you a bitch. It will happen. Ignore it and soldier on.

I would support children's causes, the Democratic party, advocacy forreproductive freedom, and organizations that empower women.

A mountain lake. It would be important that the lake be of a size so that I can see to the opposite shore.

Leader: Hillary Clinton. Question: Why in heaven's name did you stay with him?

My deceased mother's spaghetti and meatballs, her famous (or infamous) "lime jello salad", my grandmother's homemade cinnamon rolls, and a bottle of superb cabernet savignon.

The fact that I am loved, respected, and treasured by my wonderful andremarkable husband and life partner.

Linda Acheson PoolAssociate Director of Development

Beginning with Books Center for Early Literacy




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A strong sense of self, but humble. Listens and learns every day. Has vision and can impart hope to others. Doesn't talk too much. Can translate complex things into everyday language. Has a sense of humor and is able to laugh at herself. Develops an organizing strategy.


All my life I've asked questions. I always wanted to know andunderstand everything. In second grade I asked the teacher: Why is the boy in the story called Little Black Sambo? If he was white, theywouldn't call him Little White Sambo. My teacher believed I was toomouthy and harassed my mom for years, but she never flinched. (Note, I did not remember this story, it having occurred over 50 yearsago, but it's part of family lore.)

Getting certified as a scuba diver.

Equality.

My mother, father, brother, husband.

Take time out to build and maintain support networks and friendships.Give and be willing to accept.

Listen and learn. Be willing to admit you're wrong. Don't take yourselftoo seriously. Be willing to give but also protect yourself. Take on newchallenges. Communicate strength.

Make world peace & eliminate poverty & suffering. Stop destroying the planet through greedy human actions. Save all the animals.

An African Preserve where wild animals are.

Ocean & mountains.

Nelson Mandela. How did you help keep the spirit going through all those long years in prison?

Today? Pistachio nuts.

Joni RabinowitzCo-DirectorJust Harvest






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If you could visit ONE PLACEin the world that you have not been to,where would you go? Why?I think that leadership is knowing what you believe in, incorporating

the opinions and ideas of others, and persevering to get the job done.

As a young girl, I volunteered at a local animal shelter by walking dogs,feeding and playing with cats, and helping to clean cages. Animalwelfare is a cause I feel passionately about and I think it's important to take action to make a difference in something you believe in.Volunteering taught me to roll up my sleeves, get involved and makethings happen!

This may sound a bit odd, but I'm most proud of the time I drove a stick shift, 40' U-Haul Truck in order to move from an apartment. I hadlearned to drive a stick shift the previous month--a friend taught me howto drive his pick-up truck on a farm with no other vehicles around forabout half an hour. The U-Haul rental facility messed up my reservationfor an automatic truck, and the only thing they had left was a 40' stick.I had to step up to the plate, so to say, and take action. It was probablythe most nerve-racking thing I'd had to do, but I accomplished it bybelieving in myself ? and I didn't hit anything!

I'm most willing to sacrifice for a clean environment and for the welfareof animals.

In my job, I constantly have conflicts between my professional dutiesand personal priorities. I work many late evenings and weekends, as do all arts managers, which takes me away from my family. But I lovemy job and am willing to make that commitment to advance my career.My husband and I knew about the time commitment before I acceptedthe position and he is very supportive.

My husband, my friends, and my co-workers.

I think the best way to support other women in leadership is to share ideas andlessons learned. We also need to stand up for one another and not accept anykind of demeaning jokes or sub-standard behavior because that means it's"okay" for people to treat women poorly.

The three pieces of advice I would give to those who want to becometomorrow's women in leadership are: 1) Get involved in organizations and/or causes you're passionate about

join a board or volunteer your time; 2) Build up your network of professional contacts; and 3) Attend conferences or workshops in your field to constantly stay

abreast of the latest information and educate yourself.

Sky dive, bungee jump, swim with sharks

It would be on the edge of a craggy cliff where I could watch thethunderous ocean crash into the rocks below.

Florence, Italy. I studied Italian art in college and think it is so beautiful.I want to see it in person, along with the architecture of the city. I alsothink Italy is an extremely romantic place and want to immerse myselfin their culture for a few weeks.

Filet mignon, lobster bisque, a house salad, mashed potatoes, andchocolate mousse cake.

Assuming husbands and pets aren't "material possessions," I wouldkeep my photo albums to help preserve memories of good times, apiece of artwork that hangs in my living room that I won at an artauction because it caught my eye in the gallery and makes me happy,and my piano because I love music and it was passed down to me by my parents.

Allison SandersDirector of Development

Opera Theater of Pittsburgh









Name a time when your valueswere tested and you were able tomanage the situation and preserve your beliefs?

H O W ?

There was a time while I was working at a small insurance agency in Austin, TX that my values were tested! My boss asked me to orderammunition off a website (he was NOT web savvy) and I am very anti-hunting. I thought, "How can I do this? It goes against everything I believe in?" At the same time, I thought, "How can I not do this? I may lose my job." In the end, I asked what the ammo was for and heassured me it was for target practice. Not the best compromise, but Iended up ordering the ammo after I was assured it wasn't going to beused to kill anything and I kept my job too.






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A person who has vision and is able to communicate it, a person with integrity who is capable of seeking input from staff and board, and a person capable of building trust.

At 16, I was passionate about racial injustice due, I think, to a racistcomment by a teacher and to a book I read about segregation. I begged to be allowed to sign up for a work camp in the MississippiDelta. My parents opposed it but I held out. To say it was an eye-opening experience is an understatement. (Maybe I'll write about itsome day.) I've been on more or less the same path ever since.

Taking the risk of leaving academia to found a successful nonprofit(Beginning with Books) with a woman I have enormous respect for. To quote from the mission statement, our goal was to "increase thenumbers of children who become capable and enthusiastic lifelongreaders." Beginning with Books works with low-income parents, offeringinformation, support, materials, and encouragement, so that they cannurture their children's literacy development and success in all aspects of life.

Social, economic, and racial justice, and educational opportunity for all.

I've been fortunate in that I have not had to face such a situation. My leadership years began when my children were fairly independent.My family has been extremely supportive of my work and career.

My family's encouragement and support; the help of my friends andmentors over the years; my access to many amazing writers throughbooks, newspapers, and the public library; the satisfaction of being able to give back to the community.

Just do it! Support one another through cooperation, openness tochange, and generosity. Take advantage of programs like WIL.

Hang in there! Take every opportunity to learn more. Find a mentor.

Civil liberties, poverty, civil rights, and early childhood programs. I chose four because the problems of the world are complex. These are some of the critical issues.

A small beautiful lake in the midst of a pine grove. This is the view fromthe front porch of our favorite vacation spot in Vermont where our familygathers every summer.

China. The culture is so rich and important. This country is changing so rapidly. Sometimes one visits a place that changes one's view ofhistory. Turkey did this for me-- I know China would do this also.

My family, old and new friends, former colleagues, and books.

Walking in the woods with my father and hearing him talk about hischildhood. My father was not a talkative man, and it was rare to be with him without my siblings. That was part of why it was special.

Elizabeth SegelCofounder, Executive Director (retired)

Beginning with Books


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Leadership is the ability to articulate a vision for a group of people orinstitution (based upon careful study of and listening to that group orinstitution) and motivate that group to adopt and achieve that goal.

When John F. Kennedy was killed, I felt I had to contribute to hismemorial. So, my friends and I organized a local cat show, completewith judges, prizes, and entry fees. All proceeds went to the John F.Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

I am most proud of my decision to leave my secure job at BrownUniversity as a tenured faculty member and take a new job in Cairo,Egypt, as the artistic director of the English language theatre there. Itwas an adventure and it stretched my husband, my son, and myself. It broke us out of our routine and forced us to grow in important ways.

It depends on what kind of sacrifice you mean. I sacrifice myself (and my family) every day to my job because I am so passionate about undergraduate education. If you mean, what would I endangermy life for . . . the only thing I can put in that category is my family.

When my son was young, I worked 15 hours a day at least, oftenleaving him in someone else's care. I think this made him stronger andmore independent, but it also meant that I missed spending time withhim during his childhood. I believe I would have felt this if I had been a man as well.

My source of strength is my profound devotion to the mission of myinstitution. More than anything else except my family, I want myinstitution to thrive. I believe that it is an exceptional college and drawstrength from knowing that I work to help this extraordinary place thrive.

I think we need to talk with one another, share our feelings ofinadequacy and our moments of triumph. We need to be open andhonest with each other.

Follow your passion, because leadership is stressful and you will only enjoy it--and hence excel at it--if you truly love what you do. Also, be scrupulously ethical and remember to respect everyone with whomyou work.

Sky dive, sail around the world in a small boat, write a novel.

I travel a lot, but I would go to Antarctica. With global warming, it maysoon be just a pile of rock. I'd like to see it before its magnificent iceplateaus disappear. It is the only remaining frontier.

Help? I'm Becoming my Mother!

I would ask Winston Churchill how he weighed the need to fight Hitleragainst the human cost of waging that battle in order to decide to fightand to keep fighting.

I would see only nature--a large lake with lots of wildlife year-round.

Tori Haring-SmithPresident

Washington & Jefferson College







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1Leadership is the power you can find in yourself to act for the things you believe in and, through that, inspire others to a shared vision.

It was in kindergarten, I was six years old. We could come to the classwith a dress on only when it was your birthday but I decided to come in a dress when it was my best friend’s birthday. When I came into theclass I saw the children’s faces and the teacher’s face. The teacher told meto change my clothes. She tried to reach my mom and when she couldn'tshe gave me some boys clothes and told me to change. I didn't want to,so she decided to put me in the corner until I changed my mind. I stayedin the corner until the end of the day. I felt very strong that I stuck up forwhat I believed in and didn't do things that could embarrass me more.

I don't have one event that I can say, ‘this is it.’ I am proud with thepath of my life that I came through. I am proud to be a granddaughterto my grandmother and grandfather that were in the Holocaust. I amproud to have served in the Israeli Air Force. I am proud to come withmy husband to Pittsburgh and of all the challenges that I went throughas a foreign woman with a dependent Visa. I was proud yesterday inmy Women in Leadership class when the ladies decided to see me astheir advocate in Israel.

That the world would be equal for men and women.

As a chair of the Israeli Women Committee I had to be involved in manyevents and committees. Some of them were when my kids were athome and needed mom and dad. I tried to share the parents’ role withmy husband. When both of us couldn’t, we hired a babysitter. When Ithought that the kids needed me more I sent a member of our group topresent to the Israeli women community.

For my strength, I go to the gym three times a week; it helps me to feel good about myself and release stress. I find the time to drink coffee with my friends. They empower me and help me to see things in a different perspective. Sometimes I also write down my thoughts and my feelings to help me to understand myself better and to be clear and clean.

First we need to treat ourselves, as women in the way we want others to treat us. Second we need to treat other women as we want them totreat us. It is like the Echo of life.

Develop strong (solid) self-awareness. Learn to love and respect thequalities you find in yourself and have the power to change the traitsthat you don’t like. Learn first to lead yourself before you lead others. Be a model and example.

1. To carry out all my dreams and my thoughts.2. To stop and ask for agreement 3. To be me 100% of the time.

I would go to a puma ashram in India. A place that has nature and onlythe basic things that people need to live, without the material things thatwe have today in the world. I want to have the opportunity to meet andknow myself more deeply without limitation and defenses.

To create and run places and programs that: 1. help women to bethemselves, believe in themselves, give for themselves, and supporteach other. 2. Help men to see and experience the benefits of women as their equals.

My view would be the sea with the beach. I like the wide space; youdon’t see the end. It helped me to dream and fly. I like the surprise that the sea includes, it helps me to be creative. I like the colors blueand brown; it makes my beliefs to be clean and gives me energy.

To touch other people, to see part of me in them and to be touched byother people, to receive things from them that are now a part from me.This is the whole of the world.

Adva SteuerUnited Jewish Federation

Chair of the Israeli Women Committee




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Leadership is effortlessly commanding respect from others by yourattitude and actions in a manner that benefits others and inspires them to follow your ideas.

I am not sure what you mean by a "young" girl. There are manyinstances where I can remember leading volunteer and educationalefforts and taking a stand on controversial issues at my high school . . .But I do not think of any of them as being particularly defining.

My assistance in raising my sister and helping to preserve herchildhood.

There are many causes for which I am willing (and choose) to sacrificemy time and money. Most of them involve helping poor people havehomes, legal advice, education, and support. I would be willing to quitmy job and spend less time with my family to help create a more equaleducation system for kids from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

There are certainly times when my volunteer activities, serving onboards and committees for nonprofits, have interfered with my priority of spending time with my husband. Recently as a result of that conflict, I have cut down on my leadership roles. I believe that as woman, thereare greater societal expectations on me regarding my responsibilities tomy family.

God, my husband, my family, and a host of wonderful friends, includingmy running buddy.

It is hard to make generalizations . . . But I think women need to bebetter mentors and take more interest in supporting other women.

You have very little time, so keep your priorities straight, surroundyourself with role models and positive, supportive people, and do not spend your time on things that do not fulfill and improve you.

I would run for a political office, and later, I would seek appointment to a judicial role.

Education, education, education. It is the only way to keep America a democratic society and to allow all Americans to rise to their fullpotential regardless of the happenstance of their genetics and theenvironment into which they are born.

My life is too boring to be a television show and I like it that way.

Believing in a loving God.

Jaime S. TuiteLabor & Employment Associate

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC


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The ability to include others in creating a vision that will bring aboutpositive, ethical and/or profitable change.


The first time I encountered a segregated movie theater, I persuaded myfriends and family members to not see the movie rather than sit in the"colored" section.

Starting my own business.

Ending hunger in America.

Balancing work/life issues is a constant challenge. I have missed manyfamily events and celebrations because of business travel demands.This issue is not unique to women.

What, or who, are your sources of strength in your day-to-day living?Family and a strong belief in God.

We should be more accepting of different leadership styles. We shouldbetter understand the impact of internalized oppression.

Get very comfortable with having power and learn how to ask directlyfor what you want and need.

Get married. Start more businesses. Become an actress.

Eliminating hunger. It is one of many things that should not exist in a country that professes to believe in God.

Drama. Why is She so Serious?

South Africa. Everyone should visit their homeland.

A warm ocean view.

Sheila WashingtonPresident

Washington Consulting Group






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My definition of leadership has a great deal to do with responsibility, setting a tone, helping to build a vision and adjusting the tactics, but not the workenvironment we value. Leadership is hard work and fun. It is fighting for thelivelihood and careers of everyone who contributes to our quality and esprit de corps. Our entire team is comprised of hard-working, extremely talentedprofessionals who know we are learning as we go. I am fortunate to have apartner who is very different in style and skill set but who is my soul mate invalues and direction. In the end, it is about our tolerance for risk, ourwillingness to take on challenges, and to walk away from inappropriate projects while holding on to our values and integrity.


When I was in the third or fourth grade I was moved to write to PresidentKennedy about making peace with Russia. I remember how sincerely andpassionately and simplistically I viewed the conflict and the solution. I receivedan amazing letter back from the White House that showed respect andvalidation and made me believe I could access the highest levels of power.

I can't honestly say I think in those terms. I am lucky to have the husband anddaughter that I do and hope they are proud of me. I am proud of myself when I have pushed myself to take risks like buying the business or stretchingprofessionally with some great client projects. I am proud of the work I did atGateway Rehab but also realize how seldom individuals get a chance to learnfrom great mentors, contribute every day in a significant way, and find your ownstrengths at the same time. I can't imagine picking one event out of a lifetime.

The love and safety of my family, friends and community. Civil Rights, includinggender, race, sexual orientation and religious freedom, and separation fromgovernment. I'm an old rabble-rouser and know there are dozens more.

I believe that this is a regular occurrence. Running a company is about what isgood for the entire team and the business without violating personal values andgoals. I think that the question is more one of integrity and of caring for yourlong-term reputation and the lives of your team as much as you do your ownpersonal gain. I'm sure there are men who suffer the same choices. All womendo worry about if their families suffer while they put energy into building abusiness or career. I certainly do.

My family and a few very close friends. An image of myself that was formedreading books and watching plays and movies, which both recognizes that I've never really had it that tough and insists that I keep on trying.

This is a question that is still a work in progress for me. I find many womengenerous in their emotional support but still challenged in sharing and awardingbusiness and promoting women into executive positions. I think there needs tobe more efforts to bring in new voices, share opportunities for positions ofpower, and really promote other capable women. We still tend to see a fewnames on all of the lists--we add one or two new names each year--but thathas to dramatically expand.

Don't believe those who discourage you, know your stuff, have real substanceto offer. Connect with women who have been there and are willing to help butalso join the business associations with men and women so that you buildbridges everywhere and let the business or political communities know that you are here to play.

Definitely a sitcom. Bonzo Buys a Business. (My friends and family called meBonzo when I was in college.)

Getting up every morning and working all day requires a real sense of humor. I don't know how anyone gets through the day without the ability to laugh at thedirect (if unintended) insults, the snafus, and the pompous know-it-alls. Theroughest times can make the best stories if you live through it. My goal will beto laugh more often in the moment and less often in hindsight.

Civil liberties, especially women's rights.

The ocean

In college I was very involved in anti-war protests. I marched, I wrote letters, I voted, I volunteered, and then Nixon resigned and the war ended. It was headystuff full of certainty and righteous indignation. I am proud of those days andactions even though I now know things are more complex than I understood. I still want to believe that we can change things through our political activism.My passion and righteous indignation remain; I'm just a bit more jaded now.

Bonnie Rack-WildneChief Exective Officer

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Advocacy. I think the best leaders are advocates. They advocate for theirideals and visions and they are advocates for the people they lead. Thismeans leaders have to be excellent listeners in order to learn aboutwhat the people they lead need and want.

In fifth grade? in the late 1960s? I wore a pair of pants to school,defying the dress code that forbade girls from wearing pants. I was sent to the principal's office, where my mother was called to bring me a dress to wear. Bless her big and strong heart, my mother refused,pointing out that I could learn just as well (and maybe even morecomfortably) in a pair of pants. My mother's support helped me torealize that it's not only important but also surprisingly easy tochallenge silly rules and the people who enforce them. (The followingyear, the dress code was changed to allow girls to wear pants. Rock on, Mom!)

Earning my Ph.D. was a proud event in my life because it took so muchwork to accomplish. Yet I'd have to say that finding the courage to teachin a maximum security prison for men is the event that I am most proudof. That continues to be among the most important work I’ve done as aneducator.

Peace and justice.

What I can say is that lately I've been trying very hard to attend first tomy personal priorities and responsibilities (i.e., my relationships withfamily and friends). When my role as a leader conflicts with myrelationships at home, then home "wins" the conflict. (If being a leadermeans sacrificing my relationships with family and friends, I'm notwilling to make that sacrifice.)

I gather strength from my relationships--my partner, my family, myfriends, colleagues and students--all sustain me, challenge me and helpme to feel at home in the world. I also gather strength from knowledge:when I know what I am talking about, I’m a force to be reckoned with!

I wouldn’t want to support a leader--woman or man--whose leadershipis regressive and toxic. So the question for me is how do we supportleaders who are strong, progressive and nurturing? How do we helpleaders be good advocates? This doesn't mean that we shouldn't findways specifically to support and nurture women leaders--we clearlyneed more of them!

Find your voice and use it. You will never regret having spoken up for what you believe in; you will, however, regret remaining silent. Read Audre Lorde’s essay, “Your Silence Will Not Protect You” in SisterOutsider, and speak up!

I'd visit the Grand Canyon because I've never been there. I’ve alwayswanted to go and imagine that it will take my breath away.

If you could have any view from your back porch, what would it be?Ah! The one I have. It looks out over my garden and into a thick forest.It's heaven.

I'd ask the anarchist and feminist, Emma Goldman, where she foundher courage and if she thought the sacrifices she made in her life wereworth it. Would she have lived her life differently?

It would be a potluck: Melanie's bruschetta, Heather's beet salad,Hope's fruit gazpacho, Alison's spanakopita (or other Greek dish),Rosie's German chocolate pound cake, Karen's apple pie, and winesselected by Felicity!

Jennifer WoodAssociate Professor, Communication Arts & Sciences

Penn State New Kensington




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Mary Kate BartleyPA Career Link Administrator PA Career Link-Mon Valley724.379.4750 ext. [email protected]

Lynn M. BruscoVice President, Strategic Marketingand External AffairsPittsburgh Life Sciences [email protected]

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Renee’ CoynerVice President/Branch ManagerNational City [email protected]

Michelle DeBlasiAssistant Managing EditorAEA Publications [email protected]

Heather GlennMedia Planner/BuyerMARC USA [email protected]

Tess ReismeyerAssociate Director of Early LiteracyEducationBeginning with Books412.361.8560 [email protected]

Tara SimmonsDirector of Information & ServicesGrantmakers of Western [email protected]

Adva SteuerChair, Israeli Women’s CommitteeUnited Jewish [email protected]

Jessica VaroneProgram CoordinatorPittsburgh Social Venture [email protected]

Diane HughleyExecutive AssistantPressley [email protected]

Rochelle JacksonAdvocate/Organizer WelfareJustice ProjectJUST [email protected]

Edye LloydS.I.S.T.A. Project CoordinatorPittsburgh AIDS Task [email protected]

Shirley MuhammadExecutive DirectorYour Sister’s Project, [email protected]

Maria PolinskyDirector of DevelopmentGreater Pittsburgh Literacy Council412.661.7323 ext. [email protected]

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Women in LeadershipClass VIII

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— Margaret Mead

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,

committed citizens can change the world;

indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

© 2006 Women in Leadership Class VIII

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