MSgt , United States Air Force, Candice White
To me, a Phenomenal
Woman is a self-confident woman who doesn’t seek outside validation on who she
is. She draws her power from within herself.
My brand is still being
developed. I enjoy empowering others to become whoever or whatever they want. Within
the past 10 years of my career, I’ve been put in a position to help people. I
honestly don’t feel like it’s a job, but more of a passion.
3. What is your dream
goal and how do you plan on achieving it?
I’d like to start a
non-profit organization that will help empower young black girls. This
organization would teach them safety, interpersonal skills, financial literacy
and discuss how to deal with social issues. I’d like to go on field trips out
of the city to show them there’s a huge world outside of their community. These
field trips would not be limited to, but includes museums, art galleries,
ballet and plays. As a teenager, I wish I had a black woman to help me
understand early on what issues I would face in this world. Nothing is
accomplished by ourselves. If I had an organization that was built on helping
bring the next young black woman up, there would be endless opportunities for
them and our communities.
4. Name a moment that
inspired you to feel more confident and inspired you to be comfortable in the
skin you are in.
As a
teenager and young adult, I had self-esteem issues. In middle school and high
school, my family couldn’t afford name brand clothing/shoes. I was taller than
all the guys in school, gapped teeth and was picked on for being dark skinned.
Put all that together and it was a recipe for low self-esteem. Positivity
breeds positivity. The moment that inspired me to feel more confident was when
I was 25 years old. There was a woman that came to speak to us at a networking
event. It’s nothing more amazing than seeing
another woman walk into a room and own it. Not with just her looks, but how
eloquently she speaks, her contagious smile, being able to gain respect and
attention from others without force. She spoke with so much conviction and in
that moment and forward, I felt that I could do anything that I put my mind to.
Being confident in who I am has made me stronger in my career, relationships
and with my family. My confidence has helped me set goals and reach those
goals.
5. Name a person (dead
or alive) that you look up to and why?
There are so many different women
that I look up to. These women have all made major influences in my life. They’ve
taught me to be independent, courageous and to stand up for those who can’t. My
strong will and determination came from my grandmother, Fredda Mae White. Recently,
I learned that my grandmother taught other women in her neighborhood (in the
70s and 80s) about financial independence. She taught them how to open their
own bank accounts at financial institutions. That taught me that when we learn
something, we must teach the next person and bring them to the next level with
us. We need to continue to educate one another and not withhold information. My
life isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about using what God has given me to
impact the world around me.
6. When it comes to being a woman, what do you feel should be the three core values that a lady should uphold?
1. Don’t let society dictate
to you what a woman is/should be
2. Unite with other
women
3. Trust the process
7. Favorite quote and
what it means to you?
Since
we’ve been in this world, we have always been taught the Golden Rule, “Treat
Others How You Would Want to Be Treated”. My favorite quote is “Treat Others
How THEY Want to Be Treated”. Yes, you read that correctly. Treat Others How
THEY Want to Be Treated.
The
Golden Rule is ineffective when it comes to the management of people. I have
extremely high standards/goals set for myself. I can’t effectively manage my
subordinates with my same standards. Not everyone is capable of meeting my high
standards and some just don’t want to and that is OKAY! In a perfect world, we
would have all high performers, but this isn’t a perfect world.
8. Piece of advice that
you would give to young girls who aren't confident with themselves?
My
advice to young girls who lack confidence is to focus on your own effort and
accomplishments, not perfection. Don’t compare your Chapter One to another person’s
Chapter 1. Your time to shine will come if you put forth the work.
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