I recently started my morning with a very early flight back toMadison, Wis., from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Luckily, Iwas two time zones ahead of my family and so once settled at thegate, FaceTimed with my daughter MacKenzie who is about to turnseven. She was telling me about her friend's favorite animal and Iasked, “MacKenzie, what's your favorite animal?” She said, “A blackpanther.” I asked “Why?” and she replied, “Because they are fierce.Fierce and brave.”

The Case for Being Fierce and Brave

A smile spread on my face. My heart sped up because these strongtraits that she admires are exactly what she'll need as she forgesher way into the future. The Newnan Times-Herald article,“FemaleCEO Speaks of Lack of Women in Leadership Positions,” details aspeech given by Citizen's Trust Bank President/CEO Cynthia N. Day.Day shared a story demonstrating her need to show both bravery anda fierce determination. In her early days in an accounting firmwhen she showed up in a meeting, “Many thought she was just asecretary.”