WomenLEAD Women’s Leadership essay contest winner

Jan. 21, 2017 marked the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. Countless women swarmed our nation’s capital to stand in solidarity. Many rights were represented that day yet inarguably the underlying driver was one of the hope for more women in leadership. While many of my friends across the country were participating in the marches, I could not attend. Instead I had committed to going to class for my MBA program that morning. Driving through the flamboyant pink attire and creative signs on my way to class, a pang of remorse hit. I would have liked to have joined them. Yet I drove on, and dutifully took my seat in nondescript business casual attire at the Jones School of Business. However, as I looked around the room at my fellow female classmates, it hit me. I am marching today. I am marching alongside seven beautiful female leaders.