I am pretty and I refuse to sit still

This little girl is me. She had to wear a skirt every other day to public school. Sweet outfits with pink flowers, bows and shiny shoes. No sneakers or (gasp) workboots.

"Sit still and look pretty while all your friends are running and playing at recess."

She had to pay for her own college because people said she was going to college "to find a husband," not a career.

"Sit still and look pretty. It's your ticket to marriage and marriage is your ticket to success."

When she got a job in financial services at 21, she was told, “Wear your hair in a low ponytail. Buy suits from Brooks Brothers. Don't look too pretty or no one will take you seriously.”

"Sit still and look pretty, but if you look too pretty, no one will believe you are smart."

I was an Academic All-American soccer player.
I lived at home and worked 3 jobs to pay for college.
I got a degree and I “found” a husband.
I also founded a company.
I have raised billions of dollars in an industry dominated by men.
I am often the only woman at the table.

I wear jeans more than skirts. My hair is down more than it's up. I never shop at Brooks Brothers because they don't have a lot of black or camo or leather jackets.

I am smart
I am strong
I am pretty and
I refuse to sit still

Let's change how we talk and what we expect of our daughters. If we want them to break glass ceilings, they need practice breaking things - like cultural norms and, yeah, sometimes rules.

70% of girls feel more confident about their futures after hearing from female role models. Let's lead with authenticity.