Changes & Legacies: Girls Make a Difference!

Numerous times in your life you always wonder if some thoughts are possible. As students in 2011, you might think about, if you can compete and place in any competitions, make a difference being you, become the best business student, or have what it takes to hold the next officer position in a club or organization. Believe it or not, thirty years ago I wondered the same thoughts. That is probably hard for you to imagine; however, it is something you can relate to. Let me take a moment to share how things were for me as a girl taking Business courses in high school in the seventies.

I attended a typical New England High School. This was a quiet community where most students came from a two parent family. However, when I entered high school my parents decided to call it quits. Coming from the traditional "Happy Bunch" family during my entire childhood, this unexpected event - "divorce" was very hard on me and my three other siblings. Growing up, my father was a successful business person and my mom was your typical stay at home mom. My mother never "worked" outside the home. She volunteered in the Community, at Church and was active in politics; she was always busy doing something. I and my siblings knew this; she forever took us everywhere she needed to go. Back then, babysitters were a rare commodity and she had at her disposal an instant four pairs of hands to help with her volunteer work.

At a young age we were expected to figure out, the best way to get something accomplished. We were helping the community through these hands and our minds were thinking of ways to become like the grownups. These young business skills were formatting at the beginning of our impressionable years. We were determined to make these new skills work for us. Being we were three sisters and one older brother, the girls were always in rival with my brother. We forever resolved to outsmart and out do him in every volunteer "business" task; the majority of the time we constantly did better. We were girls; nothing was going to stop us!

Growing up with this business mindset, helped me when I entered high school without a dad or brother as part of the new all girl family. I knew I had to make things happen. I needed to find my niche and learn to take risks. So, instead of taking traditional college courses in high school thirty years ago, I decided to try a business course or two. No, not typing or shorthand as most girls took back then; I began with a beginners high school Business Law class. On the first day of class, I entered the classroom to a male teacher and all guys as my student peers. My teacher immediately said to me, "I believe you have the wrong class"; the Typing class is next door. I politely handed him my schedule and he said, "Oh, sure, have a seat, this is the Business Law class". At this point you could hear a pin drop. My heart was racing and I was thinking what I have gotten myself into? I began reminiscing back to my sisters and me always excelling outside of my older brothers shadow. Now more then ever, I was determined I was staying in this business classroom even if I was the only girl; I will make a difference and change their perception of what girls can do.

Today I can proudly say I have had several successful businesses and my Doctorate Degree! See, girls can do anything!