A panel advised students today of how to empower women through succeeding and becoming leaders in their careers.
The event held on Wednesday was part of Women’s Week, an annual event at Ball State organized by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program.
The empowerment of women was a conversation with the Indiana Women of Achievement. Sue Whitaker, a retired professor, said her main push was for empowerment through involvement.
“That is one of the things I tried to instill in my students is to be involved in things at various levels, whether it be in the classroom or outside of the classroom.”
Terry Whitt Bailey, one of the speakers on the panel said women sometimes worry about being liked by everyone that they may come in contact with, but they have to decide if they want people to like them or not.
“I want people to appreciate my work, but I am not here on this earth for people to like me,” Bailey said. “I am here on this earth to do a work, a service. It’s all about reaching out to others and how you affect others.”
Patricia Riley, who has worked as a judge for 30 years, said mentors help people become leaders but they shouldn’t rely on mentors to do it all.
“You have to be there to do it too because mentors can only take you so far in their example and what they wish for you,” Riley said. “You have to let go and do it yourself.”
Students listened to advice from the panel that was meant to help them make the best decisions. Jodeci Gonzalez, a junior social work major, said the speakers were helpful.
“Terry Whit Bailey impacted me the most, and I actually wrote a quote down from her as my Facebook status,” she said.
Kiersten Scifers, a speech pathology graduate student, said even though women have more equal rights, there is still not equality.
“Even though we think that we are progressive, there are uneven wages,” she said. “We have to continue talking about how women are equal to men and to actually make it happen.”
In order to reach the next person, there must be a passion and a love for the job that allows a person to continue to keep going.
Gonzalez said she is involved with three programs and is very involved in her community.
“One of things I like to do is help younger girls find their voice then build the confidence to be the best at what they can be,” she said.
