3:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. I arrive at the Step Up office with the sole intent of being blown away by the panelists of Step Up's "Women Who Impact and Inspire" panel. The annual conversation held in honor of Women's History Month features a fresh perspective from top influencers who are inspiring change. This year the evening featured Suzanne Lerner, co-founder and president, Michael Stars and owner, Lerner et Cie, Hon. Nora Manella, associate justice, 2nd district, California Court of Appeal, Vanessa Broadhurst, vice president and general manager, cardiovascular and bone business units, Amgen, Claudine Cazian Britz, vice president of programming, On Air with Ryan Seacrest & iHeartMedia, and moderater Mary Melton, editor-in-chief, Los Angeles magazine. Of course, my intentions were fulfilled and I left "Women Who Impact and Inspire" better acquainted with the woman I aim to become.
Step Up has yet to disappoint in the realm of connecting their members, alums, and teens with amazing women. I'm reminded of the year I joined the program, and how much of a life changer they have been since that day. In 2007 at Gertz-Ressler High School, I was greeted by a creative woman, strong in her convictions of molding the next generation to be proactive, self-reliant, and motivated to be anything our hearts desired. Fast forward to 2015, WOW, me and Step Up are still kicking and we give each other a bit of greatness after each encounter.
Yes, Step Up has inadvertently become another girlfriend of mine. A close one in fact, that will be the rock I need when I don't look or feel my best and a shoulder to cry on when I can't seem to get the right shade of eyeshadow right after the fifth try at a smoky eye.
"Women Who Impact and Inspire" left me in awe, first by the caliber of women on the panel, from Ryan Seacrest's vice president of programming to a California Court of Appeal judge. With women in such high positions, I was introduced to the realization that we, as women, have the power to wear the title like our go-to dress, with confidence, attitude, and sass. Women are no longer flies on the wall waiting to speak after being called upon or simply humans that carry the babies. It's been a long time coming and our pedestal is now painted orange, in respect to Step Up of course, with crowns to match. So I salute the end of Women's History Month and mandate the continued shift of the paradigm. We are WOMEN hear us roar phenomenally. 'Phenomenal woman that's me.'
I urge you to continue to impact and inspire while reaching back and bringing another sister up with you. Become a member today or upgrade your present membership and I promise you'll see the lasting results. Visit suwn.org and continue to inspire women to inspire girls.
Photo Credit: Kelley Coffey of Michael Stars. Seen in photo Suzanne Lerner, president of Michael Stars and Kara Isreal, Step Up alumna.
