The Boss Babe of 1570

Selma, my neighbor, is 90 years old. Each day she sits in the common room with a group of women. She has her own chair that she talks to them from. And, her opinions can be heard a mile away. She stands up for what she believes in, has an infectious smile and is everything that I want to be when I am her age. Woman all around the world can learn a thing or two from Selma.

How many women walk into a boardroom and choose to sit at the head of the table? How many women sit in a meeting silently, and don't voice their opinions for fear that they will be judged? How many women never show their true self in the workplace because it doesn't meet the status quo in the business world? How many of us are making less pay to do just as much or more work than men? How many of us are treated differently once we get married or have children? Why is our value determined by our age, our dress size or how much skin we show in the office? Why are we known as bitches when we speak up for what we are passionate about, but men are known as leaders when they do the same?

Selma and I have grown close since the time that I met her a year ago, and noticed her tenacity and wisdom at a board meeting we had in my building. She has an unwavering voice for everything that she believes in. So do I.

Throughout my life and my career, I have spoken up for everything that I am passionate about. When I worked in government, it was about protecting taxpayers. When I worked in non profit it was about protecting the homeless. And, now that I am a recruiter it is about humanizing the hiring process.

In every interview that I attend, I am open about why I chose to be a recruiter. From the time that I first became unemployed in 2016, I have been on LinkedIn voicing my opinion as a candidate, a hiring manager and a recruiter. It isn't easy to wear the shoes of either group, but I do. I walk in them confidently. I state my case. I talk about my passion for the industry, my persistence, my resilience and how I give my 100% to everyone that I have ever worked for.

I might not be everyone's cup of tea, and that is ok. For those that do read my content and relate to it, I am making a difference. I've been pulled apart and judged, and that has never had me back down from my beliefs.

In a world where we are fed how we should be by the media, our employers and those around us, I stay true to being me. One day, when I am sitting in Selma's seat, I will have some amazing stories to tell about an amazing career that is ever evolving and I will be proud for always staying true to myself even when the world wanted me to change to meet their specifications of what I should be. Say hello to the next Boss Babe of 1570.