Chapter 7: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: College Women Leaders Reflect on Their Role Models

This is the power of one. All it takes is one person to express their belief in you, one person to offer words of encouragement, or one person to embody what you see in yourself. This is the power of role models. Whether you meet one by happenstance or set out on an intentional path to meet your inspirational model—we all have role models that have influenced us in some way. I write this chapter as an ode to the many influential women in my personal and professional lives. It was with their collective love and support that I have succeeded and thrived against all odds. In a full circle moment, where my aspirations have now become inspirations, I give a similar love and support to the next generation of women leaders. It is my hope that by reflecting on role models, this glance in the rearview mirror will allow others to see that their leadership journey is not traveled alone. In the era of likes and followers, it is not necessarily about quantity but more so about the quality of interactions that truly matter.