Being Confident In Your Leadership Style...Laura Sen

"Well - I think, at the risk of being contrarian, the challenge is to not wear your stripes in such a way that people won't talk to you and won't confide in you and won't tell you what they know, because what they know is so valuable."
--Laura J. Sen, Chief Executive Officer, BJ's Wholesale Club

Every other Tuesday, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, on the last Tuesday in May and in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, Leadership Tuesdays is featuring Laura Sen, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BJ's Wholesale Club, a low-cost, low-margin, high-volume, membership-only warehouse club that sells food, electronics, office equipment and other general merchandise.

Sen was promoted to CEO of BJ's in 2009, but her rise to the top job took a circuitous route. After spending 14 years at BJ's, she was an Executive Vice President and considered one of a few internal candidates for the CEO job in 2002. Six months after one of her peers was named CEO, she was asked by him to leave the company. She went home to spend more time with her teenage children and her husband of over 20 years. During her time away from BJ's, she also started a consulting business providing her expertise to consumer retail companies, some of them suppliers to BJ's.

In 2006, she was asked by the then acting CEO and Chairman of the Board, Herb Zarkin, to rejoin BJ's and promised that she would become the company's next CEO. Shortly after becoming CEO, she suffered a personal loss when Michael Egan, her husband of 27 years, died of cancer. She came back and plunged herself into her work after taking a short time away. Based on reports, Sen has been well-received. Before the company was sold in late 2011 and became a private company, The Boston Globe reported...

For the rest of the story and interview, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Develop Your Communication Skills...Laura Sen

"And the better you develop your communication skills, the more successful I feel you'll be and I think that leads into a much bigger idea of emotional intelligence, and relationships and how that is where, you know, you will be at the next level, or not be at the next level."


--Laura J. Sen, Chief Executive Officer, BJ's Wholesale Club

Every other Tuesday, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, Leadership Tuesdays is featuring Laura J. Sen, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BJ's Wholesale Club, a low-cost, low-margin, high-volume, membership-only warehouse club that sells food, electronics, office equipment and other general merchandise.

Sen was promoted to CEO of BJ's in 2009, but her rise to the top job took a circuitous route.  After spending 14 years at BJ's, she was an Executive Vice President and considered one of a few internal candidates for the CEO job in 2002. Six months after one of her peers was named CEO, she was asked by him to leave the company.  She went home to spend more time with her teenage children and her husband of over 20 years.  During her time away from BJ's, she also started a consulting business providing her expertise to consumer retail companies, some of them suppliers to BJ's.

In 2006, she was asked by the then acting CEO and Chairman of the Board, Herb Zarkin, to rejoin BJ's and promised that she would become the company's next CEO. Shortly after becoming CEO, she suffered a personal loss when Michael Egan, her husband of 27 years, died of cancer.  She came back and plunged herself into her work after taking a short time away.  Based on reports, Sen has been well-received.  Before the company was sold in late 2011 and became a private company, The Boston Globe reported...

For the rest of the story and interview, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Leadership Tuesdays: The Most Important Tool...Laura Sen

I think that the tool that we all have at our disposal, and the tool that is most important to use in forging relationships and finding solutions and to move along in the career ladder, is communication. 

--Laura J. Sen, Chief Executive Officer, BJ's Wholesale Club

Every other Tuesday, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week on the last Tuesday in May, in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, Leadership Tuesdays is featuring Laura Sen, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BJ's Wholesale Club, a low-cost, low-margin, high-volume, membership-only warehouse club that sells food, electronics, office equipment and other general merchandise.

Sen was promoted to CEO of BJ's in 2009, but her rise to the top job took a circuitous route.  After spending 14 years at BJ's, she was an Executive Vice President and considered one of a few internal candidates for the CEO job. Six month after one of her peers was named CEO, she was asked by him to leave the company.  She went home to spend more time with her teenage children and her husband of over 20 years.  During her time away from BJ's, she also started a consulting business providing her expertise to consumer retail companies, some of them suppliers to BJ's.

In 2006, she was asked by the then acting CEO and Chairman of the Board, Herb Zarkin, to rejoin BJ's and promised that she would become the company's next CEO. Shortly after becoming CEO, she suffered a personal loss when Michael Egan, her husband of 27 years, died of cancer.  She came back and plunged herself into her work after taking a short time away.  Based on reports, Sen has been well-received.  Before the company was sold in late 2011 and became a private company, The Boston Globe reported...


For the rest of the story and interview, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Above and Beyond...Nona

Honoring promises made, going above and beyond the call of duty while staying true to the oath taken. Those are things we think of when we think of heroes. 

--Nona

Wisdom and Virtue...David Starr Jordan

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Virtue is doing it.”  --David Starr Jordan

Bringing Out The Best...John Maxwell

Bringing out the best in a person is often a catalyst for bringing out the best in the team.
--John Maxwell, Author and Leadership Expert

Picture by Bfosse

It's Possible!

Anything unattempted remains impossible. --Author Unknown
 

Determined Effort...Claude M. Bristol

"It's the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance, sweeps away all obstacles." --Claude M. Bristol

Bad Excuses...George Washington

“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”

― George Washington

Leadership Tuesdays: Grow Up To Be The Best You Can Be...Laurel Richie

I think that you should grow up to be whoever you are. Don't try to follow the crowd. Don't try to be somebody else. Find the wherewithal to be yourself. I really believe that if you do what you love and do what makes you happy, you'll be sitting in chairs bigger than this one (i.e., WNBA President).

--Laurel J. Richie, President, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, Leadership Tuesdays is featuring Laurel J. Richie, the first African American president of the WNBA and the first African American to head a U.S. professional sports league. She was named to her current position in April 2011.

On Friday, May 18, 2012, the WNBA will kick-off its 16th season as Ms. Richie nears her first anniversary. With play as competitive as ever, teams filled with the nation's top female basketball players, and some of the most passionate fans around, Richie is building upon the league's current success. And although she has no previous connection to the sport, this seasoned business executive brings a wealth of marketing experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management. 

In a video from the NBA TV Network, Ms. Richie talks about the current state of the WNBA and what she hopes to accomplish in moving the league forward. To learn more about Laurel Richie and view the  Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Character...Ralph Waldo Emerson

Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love The Moment...Corita Kent

Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.

--Sister Corita Kent

Best Wishes to the Class of 2012

Aim High...Michelangelo

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.  --Michelangelo

Aim high and take your best shot!

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, Leadership Tuesdays is featuring Laurel J. Richie, the first African American president of the WNBA and the first African American to head a U.S. professional sports league. She was named to her current position in April 2011.

On Friday, May 18, 2012, the WNBA will kick-off its 16th season as Ms. Richie nears her first anniversary. With play as competitive as ever, teams filled with the nation's top female basketball players, and some of the most passionate fans around, Richie is building upon the league's current success. And although she has no previous connection to the sport, this seasoned business executive brings a wealth of marketing experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management. 

In a video from the NBA TV Network, Ms. Richie talks about the current state of the WNBA and what she hopes to accomplish in moving the league forward. To learn more about Laurel Richie and view the  Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of...Laurel J. Richie

Competing with heart, honoring commitments, and giving back to the community -- to me, that's the stuff dreams are made of.

--Laurel J. Richie, President, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)

WNBA President Laurel Richie with Washington
Mystics Natalie Novosel & LaSondra Barrett

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, Leadership Tuesdays is featuring Laurel J. Richie, the first African American president of the WNBA and the first African American to head a U.S. professional sports league. She was named to her current position in April 2011.

On Friday, May 18, 2012, the WNBA will kick-off its 16th season as Ms. Richie nears her first anniversary. With play as competitive as ever, teams filled with the nation's top female basketball players, and some of the most passionate fans around, Richie is building upon the league's current success. And although she has no previous connection to the sport, this seasoned business executive brings a wealth of marketing experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management. 

In a video from the NBA TV Network, Ms. Richie talks about the current state of the WNBA and what she hopes to accomplish in moving the league forward. To learn more about Laurel Richie and view the  Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Making A Difference Through Your Work...Laurel J. Richie

"I've enjoyed mentoring and working on product and services that are geared toward women and really thinking about how can I use marketing to help young girls feel better about themselves and feel like anything is possible."

--Laurel J. Richie, President, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, Leadership Tuesdays is featuring Laurel J. Richie, the first African American president of the WNBA and the first African American to head a U.S. professional sports league. She was named to her current position in April 2011.

On May 18, 2012, the WNBA will kick-off its 16th season as Ms. Richie nears her first anniversary. With play as competitive as ever, teams filled with the nation's top female basketball players, and some of the most passionate fans around, Richie is building upon the league's current success. And although she has no previous connection to the sport, this seasoned business executive brings a wealth of marketing experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management. 

In a video from the NBA TV Network, Ms. Richie talks about the current state of the WNBA and what she hopes to accomplish in moving the league forward. To learn more about Laurel Richie and view the  Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

It's Important...Laurel J. Richie

"...I think it’s important for our society, for both young girls and young boys to see that women have the same opportunity as men. It’s important."

--Laurel J. Richie, President, Women's National Basketball Association

USA Today Photo

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, Leadership Tuesdays is featuring Laurel J. Richie, the first African American president of the WNBA and the first African American to head a U.S. professional sports league. She was named to her current position in April 2011.

On May 18, 2012, the WNBA will kick-off its 16th season as Ms. Richie nears her first anniversary. With play as competitive as ever, teams filled with the nation's top female basketball players, and some of the most passionate fans around, Richie is building upon the league's current success. And although she has no previous connection to the sport, this seasoned business executive brings a wealth of marketing experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management. 

In a video from the NBA TV Network, Ms. Richie talks about the current state of the WNBA and what she hopes to accomplish in moving the league forward. To learn more about Laurel Richie and view the  Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Leadership Tuesdays: Blazing Trails...Laurel Richie

"I was just raised to believe that I could do anything. And anything that I put effort and heart into, I would be successful. And now looking back I see all the ways in which my parents blazed those trails seemingly effortlessly, and I know that's not true now. But growing up they made it look very easy and sort of just handed that mantle over to myself and my sisters and brother."

--Laurel J. Richie, President, Women's National Basketball Association

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. Today we feature Laurel J. Richie, the first African American president of the WNBA and the first African American to head a U.S. professional sports league. She was named to her current position in April 2011.

On May 18, 2012, the WNBA will kick-off its 16th season as Ms. Richie nears her first anniversary. With play as competitive as ever, teams filled with the nation's top female basketball players, and some of the most passionate fans around, Richie is building upon the league's current success. And although she has no previous connection to the sport, this seasoned business executive brings a wealth of marketing experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management.

In today's video, Ms. Richie talks about the current state of the WNBA and what she hopes to accomplish in moving the league forward. To learn more about Laurel Richie and view the Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Life...Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments.  --Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

You Are Incomparable...Steve Stephens & Alice Gray

"In any given area, someone will always be better or worse than we are.  In an overall comparison, we are simply individual and therefore incomparable."  


--Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray, excerpt from The Worn Out Woman, When Your Life Is Full And Your Spirit Is Empty

Happy Mother's Day!!

**Women History Makers-DC, MD & VA is sponsoring "Crowns For Mother's Day"! We would love to see you in a "Crown" (Hat). Take a picture by yourself, or with family and friends and share it with us! One of those posting a picture will be selected to win a special gift from Waterford. http://ow.ly/aLIDZ

Smile, Shine, and Share...Nona

"Grace and poise. Beauty and style. Smile, shine, and share your uniqueness with those around you." 

-- Nona

*Sunday, May 13 is Mother's Day!--We would love to see you in a "Crown" (hat) for Mother's Day. Get dressed up in your Sunday's best with a "Crown" and take a picture by yourself, with friends and/or family. Post it to the Women History Makers-DC, MD & VA Facebook page, and you could be selected to win a special gift from Waterford.

The First & Finest Lesson For Children...Smiley Blanton

The first and finest lesson that parents can teach their children is faith and courage.  --Smiley Blanton

Image Source: http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20111206/NEWS01/120126001/Experts-Coach-kids-early-win-game-life

Stand Like A Rock Or Go With The Flow...Thomas Jefferson

"In matters of conscience, stand like a rock; in matters of fashion, go with the flow."

--Thomas Jefferson

Make The Full Effort To Do The Best...John Wooden

"You always win when you make the full effort to do the best of which you're capable."

--John Wooden

Fear Not...Katharine Jefferts Schori

We live in a world that is desperate for relief from fear. People in the United States are afraid of losing their jobs and home. Others are afraid of not being able to feed their children or themselves. Many of our politicians are afraid of being chucked out by their constituents if they don't answer their small-mindedness by prompting fear in others.

The fear all around us cries out for succor and comfort, and if we bear the image of God, we are also meant to be messengers of the holy one--fear not, God is with you. (Excerpt from the recently released book, "Gathering At God's Table, The Meaning Of Mission In The Feast of Faith"

--Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is featured. She is the first woman to be elected as the chief bishop or the highest leader of the Anglican Church in U.S. She was elected in 2006.

Bishop Jefferts Schori is responsible for initiating and developing policy for the Episcopal Church and speaks on behalf of the church regarding the policies, strategies, and programs of the church. Before her calling to the priesthood and subsequent ordination in 1994, she was an oceanographer. She has a B.S. in biology from Stanford University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from Oregon State University, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

In today's video, Bishop Jefferts Schori talks about managing change within her church denomination, how she dealt with discrimination within the church, and the positive use of power. To view the Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

True Friendship Involves Action...

"... genuine friendship involves a shared sense of caring and concern, a desire to see one another grow and develop, and a hope for each other to succeed in all aspects of life. True friendship involves action: doing something for someone else while expecting nothing in return; sharing thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or negative criticism."  --Unknown

Source:  http://www.allaboutgod.com/true-friendship.htm

Shalom...Katharine Jefferts Schori

“Shalom means that all human beings live together as siblings, at peace with one another and with God, and in right relationship with all of the rest of creation…. It is that vision to which Jesus points when he says, ‘today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ To say ‘shalom’ is to know our own place and to invite and affirm the place of all of the rest of creation, once more at home in God."

--Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. Today Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is featured. She is the first woman to be elected as the chief bishop or the highest leader of the Anglican Church in U.S. She was elected in 2006.

Bishop Jefferts Schori is responsible for initiating and developing policy for the Episcopal Church and speaks on behalf of the church regarding the policies, strategies, and programs of the church. Before her calling to the priesthood and subsequent ordination in 1994, she was an oceanographer. She has a B.S. in biology from Stanford University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from Oregon State University, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

In today's video, Bishop Jefferts Schori talks about managing change within her church denomination, how she dealt with discrimination within the church, and the positive use of power. To view the Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

What Do You Believe?...Sigmund Freud

“He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.” 

--Sigmund Freud

Integrity Is...

Integrity is doing what is right because it is right.  --Unknown

The Ability To Enjoy Shalom...Katharine Jefferts Schori

“The ability of any of us to enjoy shalom depends on the health of our neighbors. If some do not have the opportunity for health or wholeness, then none of us can enjoy true and perfect holiness.

--Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is featured. She is the first woman to be elected as the chief bishop or the highest leader of the Anglican Church in U.S.  She was elected in 2006.

Bishop Jefferts Schori is responsible for initiating and developing policy for the Episcopal Church and speaks on behalf of the church regarding the policies, strategies, and programs of the church.  Before her calling to the priesthood and subsequent ordination in 1994, she was an oceanographer. She has a B.S. in biology from Stanford University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from Oregon State University, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

In today's video, Bishop Jefferts Schori talks about managing change within her church denomination, how she dealt with discrimination within the church, and the positive use of power. To view the  Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Gifts In The Most Unlikely Guises...Katharine Jefferts Schori

“We are slowly learning that God gives gifts to us in the most unlikely guises—people we find it hard to like, people with whom we disagree profoundly, and people we would rather ignore or marginalize. We are also learning that we can only be a real community if we’re willing to be faithful to our best and deepest understanding of the truth.”

--Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is featured. She is the first woman to be elected as the chief bishop or the highest leader of the Anglican Church in U.S.  She was elected in 2006.

Bishop Jefferts Schori is responsible for initiating and developing policy for the Episcopal Church and speaks on behalf of the church regarding the policies, strategies, and programs of the church.  Before her calling to the priesthood and subsequent ordination in 1994, she was an oceanographer. She has a B.S. in biology from Stanford University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from Oregon State University, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

In today's video, Bishop Jefferts Schori talks about managing change within her church denomination, how she dealt with discrimination within the church, and the positive use of power. To view the  Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

The Positive Use Of Power...Katharine Jefferts Schori

"Power, as human beings exercise power, to me means the ability to change: the ability to change oneself, the ability to change one's community. And the positive use of power is transformation of self and community toward a higher ideal, toward a healed world."


--Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. Today Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is featured. She is the first woman to be elected as the chief bishop or the highest leader of the Anglican Church in U.S.  She was elected in 2006. 


Bishop Jefferts Schori is responsible for initiating and developing policy for the Episcopal Church and speaks on behalf of the church regarding the policies, strategies, and programs of the church.  Before her calling to the priesthood and subsequent ordination in 1994, she was an oceanographer. She has a B.S. in biology from Stanford University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from Oregon State University, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific. 


In today's video, Bishop Jefferts Schori talks about managing change within her church denomination, how she dealt with discrimination within the church, and the positive use of power. To view the  Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.