[Courtesy of Instagram]

Women in leadership positions are role models and inspirations for young girls.

There’s a direct connection between your response to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and the women you look up to in your life.

When you’re younger the question isn’t as intimidating. Answers generally range from police officer to astronaut to ballerina and, if you’re like me, the answer during your preschool graduation was “a mom.” 

However, as time goes on, the question becomes more daunting. It evolves from a simple question aimed to spark imagination to a dreaded, anxiety-inducing conversation that happens around the dining room table every holiday dinner. 

While the wording may shift to inquiring about intended majors, internships and, eventually, future jobs, the answers to these questions are rooted in the same place they were in preschool: role models.

A lot of us have been told since our earliest years that we can be and do anything we want. If we set our minds to it, there shouldn’t be anything stopping us. What we learn as we get older — which isn’t necessarily taught — is that we live in a world where sexism and traditional gender roles are still alive and well. The world often dictates (or at least tries to) distinct paths for girls and boys. As we encounter other women throughout life who spark a drive within us, we are exposed to a vital counterbalance that has the ability to shape our future. 

Seeing is believing. When young girls and women are able to see for themselves what they are capable of, the opportunities are endless. We are fortunate enough to have grown up in a time where, as our ages rose, so did the number of women we saw breaking the glass ceiling. From the first woman Vice President of the United States to the first woman referee to officiate a Super Bowl, we are witnessing an era of never-before-seen accomplishments made by women. These accomplishments are tangible evidence for young girls that women are not confined to the limitations that society attempts to impose upon them.

Role models bridge the gap between aspiration and reality. From childhood to adulthood, our minds are flooded with different dreams that we hope to accomplish one day. These dreams often seem distant and, at times, unattainable. Your role models close the divide between a far-fetched hope to a possible reality that doesn’t seem so distant after all. At the same time, they offer insight into more than just professional success. They’re living proof that you can forge your own path and take charge of your life — professional and personal successes are realistic. Set ambitious goals, embrace leadership roles and, most importantly, pursue your interests — no matter how far-fetched they may seem. 

When I applied for my internship at CNN, I likely would not have been as confident to do so if Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer and Jake Tapper were the only journalists on my screen. While their work and talent are equally important, it was women such as Erin Burnett, Poppy Harlow, Kaitlan Collins and Dana Bash who paved the way for my ambition. If they can do it, so can I, I thought.

Toward the end of my internship, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet two of my own personal role models: Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. After bumping into Poppy one day before I made my way to my desk, I was graciously invited to shadow the set of “CNN This Morning.” In addition to the behind-the-scenes look into how their show is produced, I was awarded a first-hand view into their resilience, kindness and intelligence. These attributes are exactly what I have been searching for in role models since I was a little girl; seeing the magic in person only affirmed that these women are exactly who I aspire to be and can be. I ran into Poppy by chance, but what I gained was even more confidence that I could do whatever I wanted to do because of women just like them.

We’re surrounded by role models in all walks of life — not just in the professional world. From our mothers, our favorite musical artists, the teachers we still remember from middle school, to the woman whose job we hope to have someday… We probably have more than we even realize and, oftentimes, their impact isn’t understood until much later. 

As girls continue to move forward and step past the shards of the glass ceiling broken by women before them, know that they may be looking toward you, just as we have looked towards those before us.

“Here’s to strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”

Grace McNelis, FCRH ’24, is a political science major from Philadelphia, Pa.