Bobby Ridgely (Plenary 3)
Initially going into today’s plenary, I thought it was going to be a more strict/conservative atmosphere since we our guest speaker is a female mechanical engineer with exceptional status in her company. However, once Bobby started pouring out her story to us, I realized that she is a normal human being like the rest of us. She sat in the same position as a student, went through the same problems we go through, and even doubted herself and future career. I did not expect to relate so closely with her, but Bobby is living proof that even when you think you are not capable of becoming something...you can instead become that and SO much more! During her talk, the statement that stood out to me the most was when she talks about what her daughter likes most about her, and that was how Bobby does not act/think like a woman. Instead she just sees everyone as equal. I think this is a reoccurring obstacle that many women find hard to overcome especially in the work field. For example, when in a group of all men, women tend to think their opinions do not matter and that what they have to say is irrelevant and not accurate. Therefore, as I progress in my life, career, and being I want to always remember that being a woman is not a hindrance to what you can become and achieve.