Celebrating and honoring the legacy of Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space, Women in Leadership brings together trailblazers who have shattered barriers and paved the way for women worldwide.
This year’s panel featured Ina Garten, cookbook author, television host, and former White House budget analyst; Michelle K. Hanabusa, founder and creative director of UPRISERS® and co-founder of Hate Is A Virus; and Margot Lee Shetterly, author of the No. 1 New York Times Bestseller “Hidden Figures,” which inspired a No. 1 hit film. Award-winning author and journalist Lynn Sherr moderated the discussion.
The three panelists shared candidly about their personal journeys and career choices. Ina Garten emphasized the importance of pursuing one’s passion, saying, “Figure out what you love to do, because if you love it, you’ll be really good at it. And then jump off a cliff. You’ll figure it out when you’re on the way down. If you’re scared, and you’re putting yourself out there, you’re more likely to figure it out because you don’t have a choice.”
Michelle K. Hanabusa highlighted the value of perseverance and collective effort: “I always like to say, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. The work and positive change we want to see—how can we all work together for the long haul?”
Echoing this sentiment, Margot Lee Shetterly shared her perspective on taking the long view: “Just remember, this is a marathon. And then just do it. It’s gonna be hard, it’s gonna hurt, you’re gonna skin your knees and you’re gonna get back up again. That is the whole thing. A lot of people never jump. You don’t want to be the person at the end of your life who says, ‘I wish I’d done it.’ You’ve just got to go do it.”