What would Sandra do?

I'm on the red-eye from California back to New Jersey after a full day with our employees out in the field. And I’m in my happy place- cruising altitude.

Over the course of my career, I’ve spent countless hours in the air, and I’ve come to relish my in-flight routine. First, I grab some gummy worms and a stack of reading, then I write down what I’ve learned on the trip, and finally, I focus on what to tackle next.

This tried-and-true routine keeps me organized and driving toward the future. But a few years ago I found myself on a flight home from Phoenix that was anything but routine.

First, some background. 

As the daughter of a physician living on a farm in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, I learned at an early age that at the core of every leader is a can-do attitude. Growing up, my father believed that he could do anything he put his mind to—including being both a physician and a farmer. He worked tirelessly to achieve both professional goals, and he expected the same kind of work ethic from everyone in our household.

From the time I could reach our home phone on the wall, I was charged with greeting my father’s patients in a courteous and professional fashion, no matter what time of the day or night they called. When I wasn’t greeting patients or studying, I was my father’s farmhand, learning that there’s nothing more honorable than putting in an honest day’s work. In addition to teaching me how to work hard as a kid, my parents also instilled the importance of respect, kindness and compassion, regardless of status. Perhaps one of life's most important lessons.

Years later, my first job out of school was as a Verizon customer service representative, and I used my phone skills to demonstrate that I was capable of providing a stellar customer experience and my farmer’s work ethic to resolve even the most complex issues. And, when I wasn’t serving our customers, I took the time to build a strong network in the call center, which was largely female at the time.

It wasn’t glamorous work, but that focus on getting results for customers proved to be key to my advancement. As I moved up the ranks, I continued to take every call that came my way, knowing that my actions not only impacted our customers, but also served as an example to the many talented women in our organization looking for a seat at the proverbial table.

As a woman in senior leadership, I know my actions have a ripple effect throughout my organization. Of course there are times when I need a little help mustering up the strength to keep pushing for progress.

When I do, I ask myself one simple question: What would Sandra do?

The “Sandra” I’m referring to is none other than our first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor.

As the daughter of a rancher, Justice O’Connor is the kind of leader who’s never been afraid to roll up her sleeves and get to work. Graduating top of her Stanford Law School class in 1952, she knocked on every law firm door in San Mateo, California, and when no one was bold enough to hire a woman, she asked the California County Attorney to let her work for free until he could get additional funding to hire a full-time lawyer. When he agreed, she joined his team and sat with his secretary. 

Later, as an Arizona State Senator, she worked to examine and revise every single Arizona law that discriminated toward women. It was detailed, painstaking work, but she got it done. And when she was appointed by President Reagan to the United States Supreme Court in 1981 after years and years of hard work and perseverance, it wasn’t because she was a woman, but because she was the best candidate for the job.

Through it all, she’s been a fierce defender of the American people, the Constitution, and the country she loves.

In short, she’s my hero. And in 2006, on a flight home from Phoenix I got to tell her that. 

After boarding the plane and getting ready to start my typical inflight routine, I noticed that Justice O’Connor was sitting right across the aisle from me. After a bit of mental prep and a few deep breaths, I leaned over, introduced myself, and thanked her for paving the way for women like me to sit in boardrooms today. Her response was simple --“Oh honey, I am so proud of you.”

Like Justice O’Connor, I’m so proud of the progress women have made since she got her start more than 65 years ago, but we still have a lot of work to do.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I hope women across the globe will channel their inner Sandra and find the resolve to knock down doors, pursue positions of power, and shape the future for the women of tomorrow.