I was fortunate to be in attendance at a leadership panel recently at which WV Secretary of State, Natalie Tennant, was a participant. She talked about how she developed her leadership style, some of her greatest challenges and who she looked up to as a role models. It was a great forum. I've always been proud of Secretary Tennant since I first came to know who she was when she became the first woman mountaineer. It had to be tough for her because I heard a lot of shit at tailgates and in the game about having a woman mountaineer. Really just stupid stuff like she should be home in the kitchen. What? Are we in the 50's??? What does that even mean or matter??? Did people yell at the previous male mountaineers that they should be at their jobs bringing home the bacon??? Some called her names that I won't even type in this blog. I always called people out if they did it in my presence. I never let people put her down. Since then, she has gone on to do well but you would expect that from someone who had the desire to be the first female mountaineer knowing what she would have to endure. I'm sure she knew what she was in for when she applied. I would call that fortitude and courage. I like it. I like my boys to see strong women taking on non-traditional roles. It will bode well for how they view the women in their lives today and in the future. If their life partners are women, it will just be good for everyone all the way around if they already have a high respect for women and view them as equals.
Anyway, I digress. What I really wanted to talk about was something very specific that Secretary Tennant said. One of the questions the panel was asked by an audience member had to do with what they would recommend to help someone be able to maintain their integrity in a world that oftentimes does not reward honestly and fairness. Secretary Tennant noted that her compass involved asking herself, "Can I take this back to the farm?" Meaning, can she go home and face her parents and the rest of her family with her decision. I loved that! I love that because it is one of the things I ask myself when I'm dealing with something that tests my values; What would my mom & dad think about this decision?, or What decision would make my parents proud? Since becoming a mom, I also added to my list of questions, "What decision would I want my sons to know I made?" These kinds of questions help to keep me grounded in the things that I know to be true but might be hard to remember when I found myself in a compromising situation with those who might not have the same moral or ethical compass as me. I'm sorry to say those situations are more common than I'd like so it is even more important than ever to stick to the truths you have laid out for yourself and trust they will help you to Keep Calm and Carry On.
