OF COURSE YOU CAN: A MOTHER’S WORDS, A DAUGHTER’S COURAGE
In recognition of National Intern Day we sat down with our wonderful marketing intern, Quinn Smith. Quinn is a student at San Diego State University.
What is something that always makes you feel confident?
Words of affirmation. I like hearing from others when I do good work. I like hearing that I am valued. It makes me feel confident to go out and positively contribute even more, not only to my life but to the lives of others as well.
What does empowerment look like to you in everyday life?
It doesn’t have to be big. It can be as little as spreading encouraging words of affirmation, like telling yourself or someone else, “You got this! I believe in you!” It’s knowing that you have support behind you and recognizing that you have done hard things before. Empowerment is telling yourself or others, “You’ve done this before! You can do it again! I believe in you. Go out and do your best!”
Who is a woman who has inspired you?
My grandma inspires me! She was a fifth grade teacher for more than forty years. When I was little, and she and I were out running around, her former students would see her out in public and say, “Oh, Mrs. Smith! You changed my life!”
My grandma was so humble. She touched the lives of so many kids by showing up everyday, even when it was hard. She has been through so much in her life, but she would always leave it at the door, taking her time to touch the lives of every single one of her students. That was really powerful. After she retired, she spent more time with me and my younger brother. I realize now how strong she is, to have persevered, raising my dad and his sister. She has taught me so much! To this day, she’s one of my best friends. I go to her with everything! She is one of the greatest role models in my life.
What part of our mission resonates with you the most?
What resonates with me most is how we lift women up when they’re down. I’ve had down times in my own life, moments when I’ve needed support from others, especially from other women. So, it means a lot to be able to take part in an organization that connects with women, when they’re at a low point in their life, or when they’re trying to get out of a negative cycle, or they’re trying to feel more like themselves again, or just be free. Being a part of that healing process really speaks to me, and it makes me feel proud to be a part of this organization.
What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning and support women in your community?
Regardless of how the day ends, I know that each piece of work I contribute is going to help a woman find her confidence. Even if I only contribute one positive message in a social media post, or if I search for the perfect image that helps tell our story, or I just write one encouraging article that includes a little bit of important research, it will have mattered. Every bit of work that I put forth contributes to something bigger than me, a solution to a bigger problem in our community. I know that this work that I do today, tomorrow, and the next day matters! I’ve been to one of our graduations. I’ve seen the beautiful outcome in these women’s stories. It’s nice knowing that I was a part of that. I think that’s beautiful!
If you could have lunch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
My mom. She passed away almost three years ago. I was only sixteen years old. I’ve been thinking a lot about her lately. I think about these women we’re helping, and I know the one person who would be most proud of me right now, and the most excited about this work, would be my mom. I know many people would want to have lunch with a celebrity or someone really cool, but my mom was really cool, too. She was vibrant and funny. She was my biggest cheerleader. So, to sit down and tell her everything I have done and for her to be excited for me would be my ideal day.
I do have great support people (i.e., grandmas), but my mom’s personality is something that can never be replicated. She was larger than life, everyone’s favorite person. You will never meet a person who didn’t like my mom. She was energetic and happy, willing and ready to go out into the world. Determined. She never doubted herself. She would always say, “I am Carrie Smith! I am the greatest! Of course, I can do this!” I try to emulate that energy in my daily life. I try to be more like my mom. In that way, it feels like I am sitting down to lunch with her every day. And when life’s questions get bigger, and I ask myself, “Can I really do this?” I can still hear (and feel) her voice saying the words, “Of course you can, Quinn! You are the greatest!”
