In late September of 2019, I received a text message from my mentor with the caption “Preparing Women to Lead.” This immediately sparked my interest and so I went into finding out what exactly it meant to prepare women in this generation to lead. I came upon the PLEN website and although all of the seminars seemed beneficial, only one made my eyes open with excitement. The Women, Law and Legal Advocacy seminar’s description provided the key to what I was missing currently in my life. Prior to finding out about the seminar, I went on interview after interview at various law firms but still could not find any employment. After losing so many times, I thought to myself that maybe there was something missing. Something that could be found through networking, through advising or maybe through introduction to a different atmosphere. One can only imagine then how excited I was to find out about this seminar.
I looked forward to hearing the success stories of women just like me and the challenges they overcame. To see the thirst of knowledge on the faces from my colleagues who traveled all over the United States was amazing. I thought to myself this is the future of our generation. These are the young women that will bring change. One of the most important things that I learnt at this seminar was to be certain. Ask for what you want. Many women, tend to stay in the background in male dominated spaces due to fear of ridicule, judgment or disapproval. I was one of them.
"If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
African Proverb
After the seminar, I learned to advocate for myself. I learned that there is beauty in the facing your fears, hearing some no’s and stepping outside of your comfort zone. A popular African proverb states “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
At the Women Law and Legal Advocacy seminar, I found a network of supportive, knowledgeable and goal-oriented women. Through PLEN I was given an opportunity, for which I am immensely grateful. This experience was the reassurance that I needed at this exact moment in my life.
Kadi-Ann White graduated from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Telecommunications. Kadi-Ann attended the PLEN Women, Law and Legal Advocacy Seminar in Washington D.C in 2019.