Monday, September 19, 2011

Women in Power = Strength, Passion, Confidence

In this day and age it seems that women have to overcome so many barriers in order prove ourselves—at home, school and especially work. But it has been good to see many women breaking that glass ceiling and defying the odds.

A USA Today 2010 study says that women are out-earning their male counterparts in the USA's biggest metropolitan areas and that makes me very happy to read.

I wish I was in that category. Now, I am writing this as a 27 year-old married, jobless woman. Saying it's hard right now is an understatement. I want to be in that category, I want to be earning something—doesn't mean I need to make more than my husband—but yea, I want to be earning an income.

It's hard writing this as I do hear all these great stories of women entrepreneurs and friends getting their dream jobs. What am I doing wrong? What do I need to stand apart from the thousands who are probably applying for the same jobs as I am? Who do I need to network with? What am I missing? What happens if my husband loses his job? What else can I contribute to this marriage? When will I catch my break?

These are just some of the many questions that keep me up at night. I know I am very blessed with the many great opportunities that my husband and I have—most importantly his job. And it's a job he actually likes doing and is pretty good at it :) We have a great family, wonderful friends, a roof over our head, food in our bellies every day and we have each other. I do know the wonderful things that are going on in m life. Sometimes I just wish I did have a job.

All things are possible and I know this. I know this because of the strong female influences in my life: my mother, my former boss, a good family friend and of course my sister.

My mother has a wonderful job and she loves working with the City of Houston's WIC program, while my dad is retired. She is so passionate about what she does along with a strong work ethic. Did I mention her wonderful marriage and success at raising three beautiful children? If only I can find that perfect job and pull it off with the ability and strength she has.

My former boss, Laura Pennino, who gave me my first job out of college. She is a strong and determined female CEO of Pennino and Partners. She set goals and makes them happen. I have the confidence and experience all because of her and hope I can accomplish things with the force and strength she does.

My good family friend Alicia Jimenez. My sister and I were the flower girls at her and her husbands wedding, and her little girl Ashley was the flower girl at me and Chris' wedding. She is a loving wife, devoted mother and strong working professional. She handles her work life with strength and professionalism and her home life with love, smiles and lots of cookies! I hope to handle my work and home life like she does.

My sister—I can't say enough great things about my sister. She has been there for me when I needed her, had the courage and strength to finish college even when she didn't feel like she could and is making her mark at St. Augustine as the best 1st grade teacher and Reading Coordinator they have ever had. I hope to leave my mark at my perfect job one day with the strength and passion as she does.

All these women have, among many, one attribute in common and that is strength. They all are the strong, beautiful women I admire. They also give me hope. Hope that I will find a great job; hope that I will be a great working professional; and hope that I will one day balance it out with having a family and being a great wife at the same time.

Whether it be a woman in power, working mom, a stay-at-home-mom or married mom's to be contemplating of quitting all together—there is one factor that will always be there—their strength to be the best person they can be.

I know there is a job out there waiting for me (crossing my fingers) and God has great things planned.

As I wait, I continue to do some freelance PR for Lucky11Studios and I couldn't be happier to be doing what I love. Keep up with our work and recent clients and wish us the best!

"Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future." ~ Audrey Hepburn

2 comments:

  1. What an awesome blog post sabrines!! Thanks for those kind words! You will get there soon too! like you said God has great plans for you too!! no one can touch you on your writing, you're a pro already! The PR world or even the nutrition world is just waiting for a great opp for you! keep your head up and keep making those delicious dinners for your hubby! I love you so much!
    -your thankful sister! =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. So glad you liked the post! Teachers aren't ever thanked enough, so thanks for everything you do! I sure hope God has something awesome planned.... I'm waiting!

    ReplyDelete