Congratulations Ursula Burns!

Forbes Magazine just released its annual list of the world's 100 most powerful women. For many observers, the biggest story is the fact that our nation's First Lady tops the list. Let me pause for a moment for polite albeit sincere applause. A respectable nod (with a promise to briefly reserve judgment) also goes to Oprah and Beyonce for being the only other black women to crack the top 10. But a round of applause- preferable in the standing position- must go out to the woman who graces the list at number 20, Ursula Burns.

 My perspective comes in part from being a New York black lady, in part from being an engineer. I know I'm smart and have opinions worth being heard.Ursula Burns

Never heard of her? Neither had I until today. Burns is the CEO of Xerox and is the first black woman to ever head a fortune 500 company.  She is married with two children.  Note to anyone still doubting that wearing truly NATURAL hair is compatible with a professional image, please see  Burns' picture above. Doesn't she look like someone that goes to your church?! I love that.   For more on her inspiring story click here.

To gain some perspective on this accomplishment, Burns ranked higher than two of the three female U.S. Supreme Court Justices, Elena Kagen (25) and Ruth Bader Ginsburg (31). She also beat out the Queen of England! THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND (41).  I am duly impressed.

 

 

Start Where You Are

At the heart of Chris Gardner’s Start Where You Are is a deceptively simple yet soul stirring question, “would the child that you were respect the adult you’ve become?” If the answer is no, then the next $10 you spend needs to be on this book. Most people are familiar with Gardner’s own odyssey from homelessness to entrepreneurial riches as told in his bestselling autobiography and the film, The Pursuit of Happyness. But instead of allowing us to view him as a unique hero, Gardner uses Start Where You Are to lay out a thorough game plan that simultaneously challenges our own lack of resolve and propels the reader from spectator to participant. Gardner coaches, encourages, mentors, counsels and inspires, but he never allows the reader to offer any excuse not to move forward. This book is an essential tool for anyone pursuing excellence regardless of their field of endeavor.