S. Thomas

Ignorance, insults and violence has shaped as much of my identity as an American as the spirit of independence, intrepid resilience and freedom. One of my earliest memories was my mother getting pushed on the street violently while walking me home from day care, and my parents "lay low, work hard" approach.

I always had two boxes: the one my parents put me in of what a young woman should be like based on their culture - obedient, quiet, unopinionated - and the one my teachers/classmates/friends/peers did - with the Indian cab driver and curry jokes. By the time I was in high school, I hid who I really was in an even smaller box to myself and started a constant pursuit of excellence and achievement to satisfy the hatred for myself I learned from the other two.

For a long time I leaned on the hard driving "if you're not first, you're last" immigrant work ethic and high functioning addictions. I was so lost and lonely and sad -- and afraid. Afraid to be too much, afraid to be too little. Afraid to be myself.

I don't feel that way now. My mission in life is more resources/education for women - and despite the jokes about tech support and coding - I chose to do that in technology sales. I've usually been the only woman and almost always the only woman of color on my teams, or with customers.

Now, I work for a Chinese American badass on one of the most talented teams I've ever been on, at one of the most ethical, fastest growing technology companies in the world. I mentor a young woman in Cambodia through a program called She-Can and I try to guide/cheerlead any young woman - especially of color - that crosses my path.