Dear Sarah. Love, Mom.

Dear Sarah,

This has been a year like no other. You started your final lap of high school under circumstances that no one predicted. Right now, you would have been in school with your friends planning for homecoming instead of tackling your classes from our kitchen table. While I know there is bound to be some disappointment and life may seem heavy at the moment, I promise there are lessons to learn from this time that will shape who you are and grow up to be. 

When reflecting on female trailblazers, from Marie Curie to Malala Yousafzai, many great women find their voices when faced with unprecedented challenges. Women are rarely given a paved path to pursue their dreams. We have to figure out how to move forward while navigating uneven terrain. It's what builds us, strengthens our resolve and prepares us to persevere.

While women continue to shoulder much of the economic and social weight of COVID-19, one of the bright spots of 2020 is seeing so many female leaders tackle whatever comes their way with decisive action, proving — yet again — that we belong at the helm of any organization. I have never felt more inspired or empowered than seeing my female peers rise in such a huge way. 

Every woman leading from the front was once a young girl, unsure of what their future would bring. They were in the same place as you are right now, wondering if their next step is the right one. However, one thing I have learned over my career is that there is no right step. Life is anything but linear and there are many steps we take that shape our journey. All we can do is have the courage to feel around in the dark and turn on the light. 

Equality is not something to take for granted. Whenever there is a "first" for women — be it politics, business, sports, academics — not enough is done to ensure she is the first of many and not out there alone breaking ground. For every step forward, women have felt the pressures of society pushing back — and this year is no different. While a record number of women are leading Fortune 500 companies, we are also seeing many mothers feel pressured to abandon their professional dreams and ambitions in light of the continued impact of the pandemic. Our crisis response as a society cannot be to sacrifice women's contributions and the future of young girls. We are not expendable.

My dearest daughter, as we approach International Day of the Girl and acknowledge the distance we must travel to realize real and lasting equality, here are a few lessons that I hope will help illuminate your path forward: 

Embrace your resiliency. As a woman, you need to be prepared to pivot and shift rapidly to stay out in front. No matter the scale or size of the challenge, you will persevere if you remain adaptive and agile in the face of adversity. 

Break the rules. While this is not a lesson to apply at home (ahem), rules that hold people back or make them doubt their place in the world are meant to be broken. Katherine Johnson’s mathematical genius wouldn't have guided astronauts to land on the moon if she was concerned about adhering to the rules. If there's an obstacle standing in your way, knock it down not only for yourself but for the other women around you. 

Recognize your privilege. I became more mindful of my privilege this year as we dig deeper into the disparities caused by systemic injustices and prejudices. Just as women should be seen and treated as equals, we need to apply that same fight and logic to every minority community. You have the opportunity to leverage your voice and actions for the greater good and build a more equitable future.

Never question your place. We recently lost Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who was truly a herculean force for women everywhere. She reminded us that "women belong in all places where decisions are being made." Never let anyone cast doubt on why you are in the room or silence your voice. Your contributions are too important and you most certainly belong. 

Be fearless. Fear is a normal response to the unknown. However, as a society, we expect girls and women to shoulder a disproportionate amount of concern for how we behave and move through the world. Push that aside. When you retire your fear and embrace the opportunity to be extraordinary, that's when you will become the best version of yourself.

Find the joy inside the hardship. This is a lesson for right now. As much as it's easy to give in to the fatigue and frustration of 2020, there is beauty in seeing people come together and help each other. Nothing will cancel out our ability to be kind and find joy in the most unlikely places. Celebrate what you have and take stock in what matters most — the people who support you, the experiences that have shaped you and the purpose that drives you forward. 

International Day of the Girl was created to raise awareness of the inequalities that too many girls face worldwide. And on this day of reflection, I hope you see your role in catalyzing the change we want and need to achieve. While it's important to acknowledge how hard women have fought to arrive at this critical point in time, we need your generation to step forward, take the baton and run even further. 

Sarah, never feel like you need to anchor your dreams or ambitions. You can accomplish anything, and I can't wait to see how you will rock the world. Be brave. Be bold. Be YOU. 

Love always,

Mom