Shannon L.

Ultimately, empowered women empower women.

I am a woman. I am a racial minority. I am a software engineer.

I don’t think I was ever cut out for fitting in. Even when fitting in was all I wanted while growing up, I just looked, thought, and behaved differently. My little brother and I were raised in a low income, immigrant household by our single, working mom. In many ways, my life so far has been a journey of learning to be comfortable with being –– well –– me. Different, awkward, lost in thought, lactose intolerant, bad with words, sarcastic, me.

I’m resilient because I have persisted through adversity. What gives me strength, however, are the people who not only encourage and remind me that I am worthy, but who also call me out and keep me grounded. Because of them, I don’t need to speak the loudest to know that what I say has value. I don’t need to take up the most space to know that I will be heard. I don’t need to be one of the boys to legitimize my belonging. I don’t need to fear repercussions when advocating for equity.

I find my strength in the support of women and allies around me, and I’ll measure my strength by the support I can give others. Ultimately, empowered women empower women.