001During Women's History Month, we celebrate the courage, resilience, and leadership of women who have shaped our communities, our nation, and our world. Women's History Month is an important time to reflect on how women have been determined to be in roles that would make our world a better place. I was fortunate that my parents always encouraged me to believe in my dreams and not to be bound by conformity. Women's History Month reminds me how far women have come in both education and the law. As a woman with over 25 years experience as a lawyer, I've had moments where my expertise was second-guessed or my judgment was underestimated before I even spoke. Those experiences sharpen your voice, deepen your empathy, and make you even more committed to standing firm in those rooms where you weren't always expected
002to be. When I think of Women's History Month, I think of my grandmother. Her greatest academic achievement was graduating from the fifth grade. She had been raised by her grandmother who was born into slavery. She never learned to read because it was literally illegal to teach a slave to read. And I can only imagine how proud she felt to see my grandmother open a textbook or write a simple note. >> I feel that women's contributions are important because they're really significant and they've been often overlooked or even ashamed of making those contributions. As a proud principal of ACS, I'm especially grateful to celebrate Women's History Month. I stand in this role because of the women who came before me. Women who fought for their right to be educated, to lead, and to have a voice.
003>> Women have typically been held out of positions of power. My own mother actually held multiple positions of power at the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office as deputy director and later director. And having her in the home, having that sort of power has, I think, help helped me to hold a better view of women in society than some people do. >> Throughout my life, I've been inspired by women's whose strength, resilience, and determinations has helped shape who I am today. To me, this might represent resilience, courage, and possibility. And it's not just about history. It's a reminder of strength, influence, and potential that surrounds us every day. Historically, women haven't been represented clearly for all the accomplishments they do, and I think it's really important to give them credit for that and just show how much
004women contribute to our society. >> I want to say thank you and thank you for the next generation of Arlington women. When people underestimate me, I use it to my advantage. Honoring women who pushed forward, acknowledging the challenges that still show up in subtle ways and choosing to lead with confidence so that the next generation doesn't have to fight quite so hard. That's what Women's History Month means to me. >> Women's History Month is both a celebration and a call to action. When we uplift women's voices and stories, we expand opportunity and move closer to a future where equity and excellence go hand in hand. Let's honor the trailblazers, support today's leaders, and inspire tomorrow's change makers. When women rise, communities thrive.