Reaction To A Speaker: Mary DeGenaro

On September 7th our class had the privilege of hearing from Judge Mary DeGenaro, from the Seventh District Court of Appeals. What was so captivating about hearing her speak was both the level of professional experience she has had in government work, and the valuable advice she gave on balancing a career with family.

Most of my life I have been told that I will ultimately have to make a choice between being a mother (eventually) and being a successful, powerful woman leader, and that the two will not come hand in hand. Mary was very quick to break down that institution of thinking. She explained that it is perfectly possible to balance family life with a professional career. Coming from a family where all of my elder women relatives have chosen to begin families instead of pursuing and obtaining college degrees, I feel so much pressure to be the first to complete a higher education. Mary DeGenaro's view was truly a revelation for my way of thinking about motherhood.

While some women tend to think in more feminist terms, that having a family is a burden..something to be avoided in order to achieve gender equality, Judge DeGenaro offered a middle ground for women in leadership to stand upon. Have a career that fulfills you, and then have a family to share your life with.