Movin on up

Today was a very exciting day. I am very involved in my local community and committed to being part of the solution. Having run for office and working with the local Democratic office, I enjoy being able to have my voice heard. I am often discouraged though, when I look around and I am the only person who looks like me in a room or at an event.

Currently, I am serving as a precint delegate. That allows me the opportunity to bring the concerns that I and my neighbors have directly to the party and have them addressed. Not long ago, one of the field engineers assigned to our site came to see me before she left for her next assignment. What she said to me really blew me away. Sometimes, having someone else give you thier perspective is truly eye opening. What she told me was that by watching me for her three years at our plant showed her the true power of networking and that she hoped that she could use the skills she gleaned from me. I was truly humbled.

This year, I will be the Chairman of the Board for my local Chamber of Commerce and its foundation. I digress.

This afternoon, I was in our state capital at the Office of the Governor for an interview. My interview was for a gubernatorial appointment. That I have even been considered is an honor. That it went well is unbelievable. Now, I have to wait for the call as to whether I passed muster, and I believe I did. Then, I will have to return to the state capital to be confirmed by our State Senate. While I am nervous, I truly believe that I will be exactly where God wants me to be.

How did I get here?

I am intelligent, educated, exerienced and beautiful. Okay, the beautiful part isn't really criteria, but hey! I think the most poignant moment today was when one of the interviewers paused the interview in order to capture a comment that I had made. Apparently, I was profound.

Are you waiting with bated breath? Of course you are!! What did I say?

"Education levels the playing field."

It does. So for all the folks out there reading this (both of you!!), I want to be clear. The only way to overcome, to get ahead and beat the odds is to be educated. We are in a society that loves to judge based on appearance and stereotype. What makes the difference is when you open your mouth. Smaking lips, rolling necks and slang will not get you where you want to be. Unless it is as a guest on Maury trying to figure out who your "baby daddy" is or swinging from a stripper pole.

If I have offended you, that was not my intent. What I really want to make clear is that when you are educated and have the ability to think critically, your choices change. Does that change the "isms" in the world? No. However, it does give you the option to take what you know and keep stepping. Find the right opportunity for you. It keeps you out of the pigeon hole.

Aspire for more.