Reshma Saujani: Women Who Don't Wait In Line

Women Who Don't Wait In Line by Resh

I believe writers  and activists are artists whose canvas is reality, and Reshma Saujani is an inspiration in the way she forged her own future and encourages former stereotypes of what women are capable of to remain in the past as we as women prove them wrong in our individual lives. In 2010, she lost the 2010 Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York's 14th congressional to incumbent Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, receiving only 19% of the vote. From experiences of losses such as this, she was able to find gold in the learning experiences that prepare you to win. Everyone fails at some point in their lives, and many people will say that failure is their biggest fear. Saujani, however, urges us to make failure something we hope for.

"Women are taught to be risk-averse. Starting at a young age, we are taught to stay off the monkey bars, stay in the shallow end -- with the result that too often, we prepare and prepare instead of boldly pursuing our dreams. 

In her book, "Women Who Don't Wait in Line," she explains the feelings and thoughts in her mind through all the struggles she went through. From creating clubs in High School for cultural awareness after being bullied violently for her Indian heritage to the anxiety and self-doubt of running for the Democratic primary, she elaborates on the consequences of her wins and losses. As the title suggests, the main objective she strives towards is to push the message "Do not wait in line" into women's heads. We all know the stereotypes given to our gender, but we do not know what to do about it. The solution she believes is in each woman's hands by blazing the trail of their own dreams. Because if each woman begins proving these stereotypes wrong with their unapologetic ambitions, collectively they would be shattering the foundation of our society and what they believe woman are capable of by surpassing it in quantities that overwhelm the status quo.

"I had thought I would be applauded for having the audacity to run. I had thought I would be praised for doing what the established Democratic women's groups were always urging young women - particularly of color - to do. But my 'upstart' status was viewed as an abomination - the reflection of an ambitious young woman who didn't know her place. I was literally told it wasn't my 'turn.' I was told that i had to 'wait in line'" (xxi).

This book, however, is not just about Saujani's experiences, it is also about the experiences of countless women of her generation that have become leaders of today that set an example for the leaders of tomorrow and give advice for us to find our strength in the face of adversity. Virginia M. Rometty the CEO of IBM, for example, shares her experience about her experience before she was the fearless tycoon she is today. When she was offered the position of CEO, she felt she needed time to consider her position and was unsure about whether she was able enough to take on it. Now, looking back she attributes her success to her willingness to try new things and the experiences that come from pushing herself towards the unknown.

"Growth and comfort do not coexist."
 -Virginia M. Rometty, CEO of IBM 

"If I could bestow anything on a twenty-five year old,
it would be the gift of confidence. i can't tell you how
many times I've seen great women, great girls who
have everything going for them, but they just have
this fundamental sense of 'I'm not confident.' Your
parents give it to you, your friends give it to you,
but ultimately you [have to] give it to yourself."

- Beth Comstock, chief marketing officer of GE

But Saujani talks about the hope she sees in the women of today. "They have an insatiable hunger for challenges on the job. We can learn from these young women in how they demand responsibilities and opportunities." The numbers of female world changers are increasing, but we still have a long way to go because many women have not been able to tap into that inner confidence that gives them the entitlement to believe in their abilities and pursue their dreams fearlessly. It's a very difficult place to get to, but the only way you get there is through failure and its learning experiences.

Works Cited

Saujani, Reshma,, and Tanya Eby. Women Who Don't Wait in Line: Break the Mold, Lead the Way. Unabridged.