As Women’s History Month comes to a close, our CEO, Karen Cheeks-Lomax shared some thoughts on women’s roles in the workplace and around the world. Karen has led the agency as CEO since 2006, creating a safe, creative and supportive workspace for all of us here at MSP. This week, we sat down with her and asked about her personal role models, female empowerment and advice for young women.
“Being a leader, being a woman of color, provides a very unique perspective on the world… We incorporate our lives into our leadership. Whether we’re talking about empathy, compassion, strategy or vision, we bring all of us to the center of our leadership.”
Young girls today have a lot of societal pressures to deal with, which could ultimately impact their confidence and leadership abilities, to which Karen says, “I think it’s important for this generation of young women to believe in their own fierceness, despite what is portrayed out there. Today’s society brands people through social media, putting them in boxes that are very hard to climb out of.”
Even when young adults don’t have specific role models in their lives, Karen thinks that “it’s important to honor your own instincts, to honor your belief systems that will guide you even if you don’t have that mentoring at this point…it will help you build the confidence that will lead you in the direction of people that will provide you with guidance and support that you’ll need.”
Karen Cheeks-Lomax grew up in “the housing projects in the Bronx.” Her mother’s guidance and focus on education helped her become the woman she is today. “My mom told me I could do anything I wanted to in life…and she never set boundaries for me, and that’s why I’m sitting here now. It was not a straight road.”
We are fortunate to be able to look to Karen, and many other female leaders of color for wisdom and empowerment, just as she looked to her mother.
Women are powerful, independent and creative thinkers that will not be stopped. So much of our mission and work at My Sisters’ Place is about empowering survivors and supporting them in their journey to peace and safety. Don’t forget to empower the women in your lives. Happy Women’s History Month from all of us here at MSP!