It’s not every day you get a chance to spend a little time with trailblazers.
Which is why attending a panel discussion entitled “Trailblazers- Female Icons Tell All” is a particularly inspiring way to spend a morning.
After getting advice on how to be fashionable and fabulous from a team of style and workplace experts (the point of my own panel on style in the workplace) at the Fair Media Council’s Women’s Empowerment Summit this week, I wandered over to the room where powerful women at the pinnacle of their careers were getting ready to share their secrets of success.
Now that we were dressed and ready to take on the world—it was time for some inspiration.
All this was part of a terrific event aimed at educating, empowering and inspiring women in all phases of their careers.
In this power room of female icons, it was game on with the following players:
Katherine Heaviside, President of Epoch 5 Public Relations; S. Elizabeth Hill, President of St. Joseph’s College; Pat Petersen, President and CEO of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty; Theresa Santmann, Businesswoman and Philanthropist; and Helena E. Williams, President of MTA Long Island Railroad—yes, movers and shakers, for sure.
They told their stories and shared their roadmaps, their obstacles, the mistakes they made along the way, and how they navigated to the top of their fields despite whatever or whoever may have stood in front of them.
The takeaway was pretty amazing.
Here’s the recap—and some pretty inspiring advice/quotes from the panel. Thought I would share these with you, as they are definitely words of wisdom from women who have shattered the glass — and can raise one to their accomplishments.
Helena E. Williams, Current (and first female) President of the MTA Long Island Railroad:
“It takes courage. The path laid out may not be that easy.”…”Be open to the possibilities.”
S. Elizabeth Hill: President. St. Joseph’s College:
“Get yourself a mentor.” “Never say no”. “Go for it”. “Fly away. Go out and Grab it”.
Theresa Santmann: Businesswoman and Philanthropist:
“Don’t hide behind (the words) “try, wish or hope”.
“When you get a goal, accomplish it. It doesn’t matter if you have to go up, around or on the side of it. Go under, over, sideways. It’s the only way you’re going to get 100% in the end”.
Pat Petersen: President and CEO, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty:
“Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. If you’re making mistakes, you’re growing. But own up to your mistakes.”
Katherine Heaviside: President, Epoch 5 Public Relations:
“When I went to start my own business, I went to the most successful business people I could find.
Harry Chapin (the folk singer) pointed out “people don’t realize that I have failed more than any other person I know”
Keep trying. Expect to fail. After a while the failure isn’t so painful. It’s a learning experience.”
What a day. And a special thanks to the panel of experts who joined me to talk about style in the workplace- how to make the right impression when you walk into the room. Lauren Cassidy, Marieelena Vulpis, Cathy Berger, Karin Caro, and Nicole Brewer.
