May 2021 - Pragmatic Optimism
We’re now just days away from the unofficial start to the summer season. It is a time where, following more than a year of isolation, we may slowly but surely begin to look ahead to the sunshine – both literally and figuratively. Being a midwestern transplant to the NYC area, I often refer to myself as a “pragmatic optimist.” I have a hopeful outlook on life, but I also like to take stock of realities and make good, strategic choices. I think that’s where many of us are now in our lives and careers, looking behind us at what we’ve learned throughout the pandemic and racial justice movements, while also looking ahead to what’s to come during what I call the “mid-pandemic” stage of the now normal.
Where have you found yourself during the past year’s journey? What are you thinking now? What do you want to be doing with your life and career? How can you accomplish it?
These are important questions, and while WID of course does not have all of the answers, we have developed an amazing President’s Council series, Women Who Lead (open to all, but free for President’s Council members), first on crafting a life, next on financial management, and the third installment will be about leadership development. I hope to see you all for this important series.
I also want to wish the WID community a very happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! I hope you’ve enjoyed some of the special IED-centered communications WID has produced during May and here in the e-News below. This is an important time to support and stand in solidarity with the AAPI community as the fight for racial justice continues.
A heartfelt congratulations to this month’s Member Spotlight, Sonal Pande! Sonal is a hard-working WID board member and I am always so grateful for the thought and care she puts into WID’s social media efforts.
As we look ahead at the sunshine before us, remember that WID is here to continue helping you in your journey.
Onward, Upward, Forward,