Bio

“Buck up buttercup,” three words I heard when denied from the United States Military Academy. I felt this man who was supposed to assist me on my journey counted me out for just the fact I was a girl. Once again, I felt that women had no place in leading and using our voices to bring light into the world. Often growing up, I felt I had no voice. The shy little girl I was could not speak to any stranger. Hiding behind my older brothers, thinking how could I grow up to live up to their athletic or academic capabilities was a constant battle, so I stayed quiet. As we got older the jokes from the boys in my family consisted of putting women down, telling young me that as a girl I had no voice and should just be taking care of children or cooking in the kitchen. Little did I know, the rejection from the academy would open my eyes to the possibilities of me using my voice to be the leader I never knew I could be. 

The first time I broke out of this shell was when I was seventeen and got my first job. Beginning as a host I learned how valuable speaking to others was. The connection a person can make in a short of a time walking to someone’s table was eye opening. The genuine conversation and smiles people put on my face I would never give back. I was quickly taught that expressing my feelings and thoughts was the only way to find happiness within a job. Speaking to authority figures became an everyday task that was vital to the continuation of serving. Beginning my second year serving I was approached with the opportunity to be an assistant manager. This was the first time I looked at myself as a leader. I finally was seen to have the capabilities to lead, instruct, and develop my peers into better employees for the company. I was taught that everyones’ opinion was valid, and to work cohesively with others from all backgrounds.   

Moving into the Honors College here at Lone Star further exemplified the importance of speech and leadership. The speeches the Honors College has allowed me to develop and give shows me that a womens' voice does matter in the academic world. Watching my fellow classmates speak on what makes them passionate and the research they have conducted, makes me want to be an inspiration to other girls. During the second semester here in the Honors college I was nominated to speak at the Communicating Across Curriculum with a presentation previously given in Speech Class. Opportunities like this provided by the Honors College have been vital for me to continue to develop my skills of confidence and speech. 

Although in recent years, steps have been made to make women an essential part of corporations. Words like what I heard continue to be said to put women down, forcing girls to believe they can not make a positive impact in the world. I want to continue to be a positive role model for all young girls in the business field. Men run the business world, believing women can not make decisions or run a company efficiently. One day, I will use these skills I have learned to prove to every man that a girl can lead using her own voice and ideas.