It's not often you find yourself in a room full of the some of the most intelligent, prominent, and admirable women leaders of our community. So when you do, it's exhilarating!
It happened this week at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Mayor Julian Castro's Commission on the Status of Women hosted International Women's Day Roundtable discussions.
Some of the most influential women leaders of our community were there to talk about a number of topics. That included roundtables of about ten women each where discussions centered on everything from "Healthy relationships and Healthy Leadership", "Building our Community", "Running for Office", and starting and running your own business.
JoAnne Boone, the President of Rio San Antonio Cruises was there to talk about women in command as a small business owner. Barbara Greene, Founder & CEO of Green & Associates, is hired by CEO's and companies to teach staff and even CEO's themselves how to maximize their potential as leaders. She led a discussion on "What is your Leadership Style?" Graciela Cigarroa, the Incoming Chair for the United Way Women's Leadership Council, spoke to another group of ten about the importance of mentoring.
I sat in on a discussion led by Sonya Medina, the Director of Government & Community Relations for Silver Eagle Distributors, and Dr. Susan Blackwood, the Executive Director, of the San Antonio Sports Foundation. They were both highly insightful women with vast experiences in the corporate, non-profit, and legislative arenas. Our discussion centered on how as women, mothers and leaders we balance the demands of career and family life; the importance of physical fitness in our daily lives; having a support network around you, and empowering women as a leaders in the workplace.
There are some key ideas I came away with that you may find helpful as you carry out your workday. "What I aspire to do is to inspire." Those are Dr. Blackwood's words to live by as a leader.
"A good leader is a one who is authentic. What's your story?" How would you want your life to be narrated or your history to be told. Those are the thoughts Sonya Medina considers whenever she is deciding on a plan, path or how to solve a problem.
The discussions were all motivating and women left with ideas on how to be better leaders themselves and how to nurture other young women passing along skills that can help them as well.
The "Pathways to Leadership" Conference also includes opportunities for young women to receive scholarships. They are offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation. To donate to the scholarship fund, or find out how to apply, write to San Antonio Area Foundation, 110 Broadway, Suite 230, San Antonio, Texas, 78205.
