The Hornet Tribune

Issue date: 3/8/08 Section: University News

Media Credit: Bryant Magee Professional consultant and alumna Catherine Wilson Wright served as the keynote speaker for the Women's Empowerment Seminar.

Young women were encouraged to become leaders and set attainable goals at the Women's Empowerment Seminar on Mar. 9, sponsored by the Women's Empowerment Organization. The event was held at 7 p.m. in the Thelma Glass Auditorium.

Catherine Wilson Wright, a former member of the Alabama State University Board of Trustees and a 1973 alumna, spoke at the event. "A Woman's Epiphany," was the topic of her speech.

"An epiphany doesn't have to be like a lightning bolt" Wright said. "It's something that moves you from where you are to where you'd like to be."

Wright used Harriet Tubman, Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice, and Osceola McCarthy as examples of women who had epiphanies.

"Something made Harriett Tubman wake up one day and say that slavery wasn't right," she said. "She knew the risks of her actions but she knew the benefits far outweighed them."

McCarthy washed clothes to make a living and before she died gave more than $100,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi for scholarships.

"She is a great example of how such a small person can make a big difference," Wright said. "Sometimes the people that you look down upon can be the ones that make a difference in the lives of many."

Wright talked about the obstacles that she's had to overcome since graduating from ASU in the 1970's.

"There were 500 people in the building that I worked at and only three of them were black" she said. "Every woman there was a secretary except for me."

She was hired because she kept a very high grade point average.

"They gave me the opportunity but when I walked into the office I had to prove that I was worthy of it," she said.

At the conclusion of her speech, Wright advised the audience to define themselves and their own destiny.

"I'm looking at the Michelle Obamas and the Hillary Clintons," she said. "Never ever allow anyone or anything to define who you are or your destiny."

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