When I moved to New York at twenty-one, I was fresh from a small town, wide-eyed, and completely out of my depth. Arriving in Manhattan felt like stepping onto another planet. I had no idea how much I didn’t know, and that ignorance led to more than a few moments of mortification.

Last year was an extraordinary year for many reasons, but one moment stands out above all: the birth of my granddaughter, Charlotte. Having her in the world inspires me in new ways to continue working for a future where young women feel empowered to embrace their potential without hesitation.
I want Charlotte to grow up in a culture where women aren’t taught to be people pleasers, where they’re unafraid to take risks, and where they don’t worry so much about being wrong.