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Don’t Dim Your Light
2014 June 27th Junior League of Houston
Thank You For Attending
Interview with
Kim
The Importance of Women
In Business Resilience is perhaps the reason why women are so important in business. With the ability to adapt more effectively under pressure without losing compassion and reason, women bring a invaluable contribution to the corporate America, small business, and the home. Kim Merrifield’s platform reflects this exact sentiment. To look at her, one wouldn’t suspect that she was a teen mom and a survivor of domestic abuse. Yet, through all of the struggle, Kim kept her business acumen and pushed even harder to accomplish all that was before her. Surprisingly so, Kim didn’t seem to have long term goals, only a succession of short term goals accomplished in a not so traditional timeline. She had a heart for children so she decided to go back to college after having three kids to become a teacher. Later in life she achieved a high level position with NRG Reliant in Houston Texas. Now, she and her husband run a charming furniture store on the outskirts of Galveston Texas.
Her and her family take yearly trips to beautiful islands around the world. She’s proactive in the community, she’s a full-time mom, entrepreneur and corporate America citizen. Kim seems to have it all; although, she would say different. Regardless, it’s apparent what she does have – momentum and a strong grasp on her humanity. Before each of Kim’s successes she had desire and compassion despite hearing over and over again how inadequate she was. Armed with these two traits alone she has moved very quickly through a vast compilation of successes. She is a living example of why women are important in business. Despite set-backs, failures, downturns in the economy…there is always money to be made and ideas to be executed. Kim and other women like her get it. In business, regardless of the downswing hold tightly to your assets and continue to move forward as fast as you possibly can.
| Corporate Gal
Corporate Gal
BUSINESS ADVICE BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN
Jennifer Martinez Emerson, MBA, PMP is a leader in the Energy industry currently in the role of Global Supportability Manager responsible for ensuring delivery of supportable IT solutions that meet the needs of the Downstream business at Shell Oil Company. Prior to that, Jennifer held various roles across IT building experience in people management, talent development, and organizational change while growing a strong background in end-to-end IT life cycle focusing on the Downstream eco-system in a fast-paced, high intensity environment.
Global Supportability Manager Shell Oil
Alissa Rachelle Jones
&A Q - Syan Rhodes
Q: From undergraduate school to successful news anchor – what is women empowerment and how does it relate to your story?
A: My sister and I were involved in the arts from dancing to modeling; we were very cre-
ative and I have always loved to read and write. I became interested in journalism around 12 years old. I see women empowerment as the belief that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Q: How does your story contribute to the underlying struggle that women of all races endure towards reaching personal goals?
A: In journalism, I had to learn how to maneuver within the media, office politics, and learn
when to speak up. I always refer to the glass ceiling. Anytime there is a downfall in our career, us women have to be able to break through it; to persevere and not give up. We have to break through whatever standards society sets for us. That’s what I had to learn, we have to get out of the norm.
Q: As a black woman, do you believe that there is a disparity among the races? A:
Certainly. There are several programs that target directly to minorities but there are also programs for women, and programs for African-American women; the double-whammy, in which we are often excluded. There are programs trying to include us because we have been overlooked.
Q: Have there been any situations in your career that have rendered you power-
less?
A: I don’t know that I have ever been rendered powerless. I think that if you suddenly find yourself “Powerless” it’s because you have given your power away. You are only as powerful as you see yourself and only as powerless as you allow others to see you.
Financially empowering women to get back to the community through business, education, and family. For the 2014 – 2015 year The Chatman Women’s Foundation will be financially awarding women who are excelling in the areas of business, education, and lifestyle.
Applications will be accepted beginning October 1st, 2014 Scholarships, grants and endowments will be awarded at the Annual Women’s Empowerment Conference – March 2015
www.4empoweringwomen.org
Serving the City of Houston since 2008 Personalized service Home deliveries 24 hour turn-around Mon-Fri 9:30-5:00, Saturday by Appointment Accepting Most Insurance Plans | Se Habla Espanol Phone: 281.313.0730 281.313.0731 Fax: 281.313.0737 Email: pro_medrx@windstream.net