Today, I am 54 years old.

I remember growing up in a household, as the oldest child, with a father who insisted I go to college. This was from the time I was old enough to read.

My college of choice was Simmons College - an institution focused on the advancement of women.

I graduated in 1979 and landed my first job, in retail, as the financial assistant to the Vice President of Profit Planning, a man in his 60's.

I remember sitting in my office - after graduating from a women's college - and hearing the man I reported to yell at me from his office, "Hey girl - come here."

I remember the day I gave my notice - he told me not to be so worried about my career, that, "I was married and when my husband graduated from medical school, I would be able to stop working and focus on a family." It seemed that he was an insurmountable obstacle, and I decided it was best to no longer waste my time in that environment.

I joined a company that soon went into the throws of bankruptcy. During that time - in 1981 - I sat in a boardroom, on a daily basis, surrounded by men who were struggling to "right the ship." My job was to smash the numbers...and I was fortunate to work with people - men - who valued great work and were willing to give me additional responsibilities as I moved up the ladder. So, while the company was in turmoil, I had an opportunity to witness and experience business circumstances from inside a boardroom that only a few women my age were able to see. I was 24.

In those early years, and for many years afterwards, I had to be smarter. Work harder. And, do my very best to minimize my natural instincts to be overly emotional. But, it was so worth it - every moment. I enjoyed a transition from finance to marketing, and flourished as I used my creative talents to build brands.

During my years in marketing, I traveled. I was a CMO level executive reporting to CEO's. I spoke to audiences of 3000 people at a time, many times a year. And, I worked with great teams who gave me the ability to show great work.

In November of 2008, I lost my job as a senior marketing executive in a thriving division of a much larger company in gigantic turmoil. I was 51. I did not anticipate what would happen next, as I attempted to find a new position. Very quickly, I discovered that my age was a deterrent. This is not an excuse - it is a reality. And a new form of obstacle. To give up working is, for me, not an option. I thrive at work. I am now fortunate to have a position with a company working in marketing. I have become more humble, as it is a position at a much, much lower level...for the first time in my career, I am in a cubicle. 🙂

In life we make choices. We have obstacles. And, for some of us, we have influencers in our lives who give us a chance to show our capabilities. I am one of the lucky ones.