role model
Congratulations to Sara Gross and everyone involved for throwing such an incredible Outspoken Summit … mission accomplished and looking forward to the next one.
I wanted to take a moment to share some words about this amazingly outspoken woman. I was already a listener to the Ironwomen podcast when Sara posted about looking for an intern to help out Live Feisty Media … At this time I was done with my Iron(wo)man, and still recovering from my TBI. I wanted to apply. I wanted to be involved with something important. I also knew Live Feisty was an all women team, and a very loud voice for equality for women. I was scared to death to apply because I had no idea how she would react to a trans woman, let alone a brain-damaged one to boot.
So I decided to send my resume filled with 15 years experience in IT, building and designing corporate and game infrastructures… Totally qualified to be an intern, haha! I also decided to not mention anything about me being trans. I just wanted to be looked at as just a woman.
I waited, and she responded! I was really excited about the possibility of finally get my brain stimulated in the right way. Until she asked me when we can do a Skype video call… Oh shit! I wasn’t scared about how I looked, I mean, I was deep into my transition. I was more worried about my voice. When we scheduled this call, I was freaking the fuck out! I won’t be able to hide that I’m a trans woman. In my head, all I could think was, who am I to say anything about equality for women, you used to be a guy.
We had our call. I wish I could remember the details of what happened but I don't. But, obviously, it went good, because, well hello, I'm part of the Live Feisty team, haha! That call happened on November 8th, I remember this because I still have that entire introductory email stream.
9 days had passed and hadn't heard back on anything. This was when all crazy things went through my head, that it was clearly obvious I was a trans woman, and how is this trans woman have any right to speak about or fight for women's rights for equality…
So, on November 17th, I sent Sara an email letting her know that I was transgender, and how fighting for and dealing with equality is VERY important to me.
“Hi Sara!
I feel like I should be up front with you about something. So, I’m transgender. I generally don’t bring it up, because I hate labels. I also just want to be seen as a woman without all that baggage ... to be viewed just by my personality, skills, past experience, etc... So I like to go with the whole “don’t ask, don’t tell” route for the most part.
I wasn’t sure if you suspected anything during our Skype call, and just being respectful. But, I felt like I needed to be up front, knowing what your organization is and what it stands for. Also, more importantly, I suspect if I got the internship we would be working closely, etc..., and it’s best to get it out there before hand.
So yeah. I battle for equality in everything not just sports which was why I was so inspired by what you are doing with Live Feisty 🙂!
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Erin”
I was surprised how quickly I got a response from her. She told me that she suspected as much, hello, my voice … dead give away. She also told me that it wasn't an issue at all for her or Live Feisty, saying, "we are equal opportunity in every way." She mentioned the two interviews she did with the amazing Chris Mosier, and that she appreciated that trans women have a steeper hill to climb when it comes to sport and inclusion.
A few days later… She asked if I would like to join the team and be the podcast editor for a new podcast they were launching, If We Were Riding with her and Kelly O'Mara (who is another incredible woman I look up to and is inspired by). On December 1st, I got my first batch of files and started work on the brand new show! Here I am, editor of both Live Feisty podcasts and wrote a two-part piece of my inspiring story.
Got all that history out of the way, haha! But now to the purpose of this post. I was tremendously grateful that she decided to take a risk with me. Aligning herself and her company with a hot button, controversial topic, being a trans woman. When most people and companies run away from that potential heat, she ran towards it. That alone shows her amazing character. But, putting being trans to the side… She made the risk of putting a great deal of responsibility on someone that suffers from a traumatic brain injury. Having this within your company is not something to just bat an eye at, it's serious. The fact that she understood TBI's through other people in her life and knew the side effects of just an injury, she still believes in me and my abilities. It wasn't an easy road at times, dealing with my symptoms flaring up, but she helped keep my focus and moving forward.
Now I'm crying because she comes the mushing part.
Sara Gross is the feistiest woman I have had the pleasure meeting. She's a woman I look up to. She's a woman I learn from every single day. She's a woman I strive to become, not only as a woman but as a businesswoman as well. I am so impressed with how she fights every day for equality and pushes that message for the world to hear. I'm inspired with her determination, go big go home attitude, building an empowering brand and company. It's really incredible to have the opportunity to see her and her business grow each an every day.
I can't believe it's only been a year because it truly feels more than that.
She's not only my Feisty Chief, but she is also my friend, biggest supporter, and most importantly, she is my role model.
Thank you so much, Sara, for taking that risk, and always giving me a platform to speak my mind and be that voice for my community. You have no idea how our relationship means to me, how impactful you have been in my life, and I look forward to continuing this crazy ride into the future!