Rae La Soul

About two weeks ago, I packed my bags, gassed up my car, and headed to Dallas, TX to attend the Women of Color STEM conference. My friend and I left on Thursday and arrived later in the day. Besides the fact that we did some horrible packing and we didn’t expect a cool front, it still was quite the experience.

– We also attended the Texas State Fair and got a pic with Big Tex, feasted on fried collared greens, fried mac and cheese, fried spaghetti and meatballs.. all fried everything. I stomach thanked me.

– I ate at P.F. Changs for the the first time. I wasn’t overly impressed but the food was delicious and filled me up for the shopping that I did in Northpark.

– We went to the Shark Bar. Another classmate that lives in the DFW area invited us. Definitely a chill and relaxed scene. The DJ was so awesome that I didn’t feel the pain my shoes caused.

– Rodizio’s Grill was just awesome! I have never tasted food like that ever in my life. It’s similar to a Texas de Brazil but much more inexpensive. And while we didn’t get a chance to taste the wild game (snake, buffalo, etc.), the meat that they did have was amazing. I tried chicken hearts for the first time, which didn’t taste horrible, but was wayyyy too chewy for my liking.

 

– The Gala was lovely. It was nice to see so many STEM women looking so gorgeous. Too often, society likes to paint STEM women in a not so glorious light sometimes. Trust me, we still wear dresses and high heels. Speaking of dresses, I really fell in love with my dress when I spotted it at the thrift store. And for it to fit so perfectly like it was made for me had me convinced that I needed to buy it although I had already purchased my gown. But who can turn down a Cache gown priced at $10? Anywho, the reception after the gala was pretty live with all the cupid shuffling and the wobbling. And let me tell you, these women know how to party. You wouldn’t believe how low we can get when FloRida comes on. Chile..!

 

– I especially enjoyed the seminar, “Walk in Her Shoes” which featured Dr. Akosua Barthwell Evans, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Barthwell Group and panelist Tamika Hollis, Executive director of Northrop Grumman Corporation. In fact, their session was my favorite. I guess it was because they allowed it to be more like a discussion rather than a speech that they were giving. I really felt as if I was supposed to be there simply because of the topic about “mom guilt.” I wrote about my guilt a while back and I discovered so many ladies express these same concerns. The speakers advised us to focus on the grand scheme of things which was to realize that everything you do in regards to your job activities and tasks is for your family. And that’s honestly the case with me. Everything I do, is in regards to being able to provide for my family and to make a wonderful life for them. To give them the means and resources to constantly progress. And to do so, I may have to travel so I can progress. And I can’t feel guilty about it. And I no longer do.

I left my guilt right on the chair I was sitting in for this seminar. And when I got back to work Monday morning, I informed management that I am willing and able to travel. Let’s see how this goes.

The Women of Color STEM Conference was such a wonderful and educational experience and I’ll definitely be in attendance next year. And a bit more prepared for the weather. LOL! I encourage all women in STEM to attend this conference.. or even if you’re not in the STEM field, I feel as though this conference can still be beneficial to you. It definitely was for me.