\u201cI\u2019m a mess.\u201d Reshma Saujina, founder of Girls Who Code informed the audience. Preach, Reshma, I thought to myself.\u00a0\u201cBe a mess,\u201d she continues, \u201cbe authentic\u201d.<\/p>\n
The 2016 Women\u2019s Leadership Forum was an inspirational and special day filled with wise words, sage advice and incredible stories. And it were the stories that most resonated with me.\u00a0Massachusetts Attorney General, Maura Healey, shared moments of her days spent visiting classrooms and reading stories to young children. The McBride sisters, creators of exquisite and delicious wine, have scaled the steep hill of California Street in San Francisco carrying cases of wine \u2013 while wearing stilettos. Reshma Saujina perhaps one of the most poised and eloquent speakers I have had the privilege of listening to, is a mess.<\/p>\n
Kelly Carlin, writer, actress, and performer, encouraged the 1,100 female dominated audience to share their stories\u2019. Carlin challenged the audience to listen to the voice inside of us and to find our own story \u2013 for it is within our story that we discover self-awareness and our own inner truth.<\/p>\n
Stories shared at the Forum were filled with humor, sentiment and, of course, failure. \u201cJust because I failed doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t try too,\u201d Saujina expressed. Failing is an integral part of the journey \u2013 it reflects an effort made or a risk taken. Every time I fail I grow in another capacity. This growth is what brings me closer to attaining goals and to deepening my own story.<\/p>\n
Our stories continue to evolve. As I was swept in awe and inspiration at the Women\u2019s Leadership Forum, I also felt a great deal of reassurance and comfort in knowing that being a mess is just fine.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n