The Decisive Factor...Theodore Roosevelt

"Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike."


-- Theodore Roosevelt

#LeadershipTuesdays: Your Example Teaches More than Your Words

"The only way to mold moral people is to stand up ourselves and be counted for what we believe in, and to have the courage to hold ourselves and others accountable . . . 

We cannot legislate morality. . . . we teach morality by personal word and example."

--R.A. Stratton

Moral leadership is neither Democrat nor Republican. It is not relative or based in public opinion. Moral leadership is based on a set of values and principles that guides our behavior toward others. We are in need of ethical leaders who will set an example.

Vote for candidates whose morality is not based on or influenced by campaign donors or contributions. Don't just listen to their words, hear their heart and check out their past actions because actions speak louder than words. Do not just vote for individuals because of their party affiliation because no one party has a lock on morality.

Please do your civic duty and vote. Your vote is important. If you are a minority and or a woman, people died so that you could be enfranchised and vote. Honor them with your vote.

You can see a sample ballot for your state or county/district by going to ballotpedia.org and clicking on your state. By viewing a sample ballot, you can see the candidates and issues on the ballot before you vote. You can also "google" this information.

According to Pew Research, the vast majority of Americans – 95% – now own a cellphone of some kind and 77% own smartphones. Use your smartphone to google your sample ballot and be informed.

Early voting is open right now in a lot of states, check your State Election commission to see where you can vote early. If you can't vote early, plan today how you will get to the polls next Tuesday. You voting demomstrates your leadership in your community, so do your part to change America for the better by voting. 

Vote America!

Nona Ogunsula, Founder
womenatliberty.com

Who Am I?...Catherine Pulsifer

"Your character defines who you are by the actions you take." 

--Catherine Pulsifer

She's On Her Way To Change A Few Things

"She packed up her potential and all she had learned, grabbed a cute pair of shoes, and headed out to change a few things."

--Anonymous

In Pursuit of Success...Asad Meah

"Peace of mind is of utmost importance in your pursuit of success. Let there be peace within you so that you can accomplish your dreams."

--Asad Meah

Showing People What Is Possible...Indra Nooyi

"As a leader, I am tough on myself and I raise the standard for everybody; however, I am very caring because I want people to excel at what they are doing so that they can aspire to be me in the future."

--Indra Nooyi, Chairman, PepsiCo

*Indra Nooyi recently stepped down as President/CEO of PepsiCo after serving from 2006-2018. 

Feed Yourself Positivity!...Steve Maraboli

"Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action."

--Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

#LeadershipTuesdays: Why not me?...Geisha Williams

"It's the power of influence and having someone that you look up to tell you that they think you can do something that you don't think you can do yourself. I didn't know I was going to become CEO. At that point, I doubted it, but I thought, I'm going places. I'm going to work hard and I am going to be a leader."

--Geisha J. Williams, CEO, PG&E

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents #LeadershipTuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage and strengthen women leaders. Geisha Jimenez Williams immigrated to America from Cuba with her parents at five years old in the mid 1960's. Fleeing as political refugees, they started out with virtually nothing but the clothes on their backs. Her parents eventually became successful business owners and she grew up to be the first Latina CEO of a fortune 500 company.

Her story is an amazing example of success. Even more interesting is how she, an immigrant who spoke no English, prepared herself to be in a position to lead a major corporation and make history? She gives a lot of credit to her parents, her work ethic and her mentor.

After leaving Cuba where her father had been held in jail for three years because of his political views, her family migrated to Minnesota. But because their initial sponsor died within a month after their arrival, they had to move again. They eventually settled in New Jersey where her father worked in a factory during the day and washed dishes in a restaurant at night. Her mother worked out of the family home. They saved their money and were soon able to buy a modest grocery store in New Jersey. After school Geisha would come to the store, do her homework and then relieve her mother who also worked at the store so that her mother could go home and start the family dinner. Seeing her parents work hard, gave her a strong work ethic that has followed her throughout her career.

Williams also credits an early mentor at her first job at Florida Power and Light, Clark Cook, with helping her question her limited view of what she could achieve in her career. He said to her, "Geisha, somebody has to run this company some day. Why not you?" She refers to him as a role model for diversity and inclusion.

That question and his belief in her abilities stayed with her and helped her to ask herself, why not me? 'Why can't I be the first Latina President of a large company'. An unimaginable dream for any Latinx at the time.

She believed, work hard, and prepared herself. She earned an engineering degree at the University of Miami and later an MBA at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She took on a series of work assignments in customer service, marketing, external affairs and electric operations to make sure she was prepared and had a broad base of experience. Today, after 30 years in the utilities industry, she is the President and Chief Executive Officer of PG&E, a position she was promoted to in March 2017.

Williams is a shining example of excellence and achievement. She and her husband, Jay, have raised two daughters, Carolyn and Anne, whom she is very proud of. Check out her talk with Poppy Harlow at Fortune's 2017 Most Powerful Women Summit.

For more information on #LeadershipTuesdays, go to womenatliberty.com. There you'll find resources to help you develop your leadership skills and learn from others who are successful leaders.

They Did Not Win Today!

"Sing your favorite song today. Even if you don't know all the words or you don't like the way you sound. Sing to let all the forces trying to silence you know that they did not win today." ☺

Don't Let Them Box You In...Victoria Pendleton

"Isn't it funny how people want freedom for themselves, but they want you to be a captive of their perception of you? Don't let any one put you in a box."