What did it mean to be one of the 100 Women of Excellence?

Being a woman of excellence is not about being perfect but about how I choose to live, lead, serve, and grow.

I believe excellence is exemplified through character. It means striving to do things with integrity even when no one is watching, keeping my word, treating people with dignity, taking responsibility for my choices, and remaining teachable enough to recognize that there is always room to grow.

It also means:

• Living with purpose
• Leading through service
• Using what you’ve been given
• Making room for others
• Remaining grounded

Proverbs 31:29-30 talks of this: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” Biblical excellence isn’t presented as an achievement; it is connected to wisdom, character, diligence, generosity, and reverence for God.

Growing up around Excellence

When I was a teenager or maybe a young adult, my mother had a women’s ministry called God’s Women of Excellence. What I learned from watching her during that time was that a woman of excellence always shows up for other women.

I watched my mother do that time and time again. Whether she was creating and sewing a garment, helping someone design the interior of her home, teaching a woman how to sew or cook, or donating some of her own belongings to help someone else, she freely shared her gifts, talents, and resources.

My mother also hosted events with such elegance and attention to detail. They created opportunities for women to show up beautifully dressed, fellowship with one another, and be celebrated. I remember one year when she gave every woman a tiara. The smiles on those women’s faces were unforgettable. In that moment, they felt seen, heard, valued, and celebrated. That helped shape my understanding of what it truly means to be a woman of excellence.

A woman of excellence doesn’t mind sharing her light. She’ll share her mirror, pass you the glitter, and help fix her sister’s crown without worrying about whether her own will still shine. She understands that another woman’s light doesn’t dim hers. When one of us shines, we all shine.

To be recognized and honored during Congressional Black Caucus weekend, in our nation’s capital, in Washington, D.C., as one of the 100 Women of Excellence was amazingly beautiful and incredibly humbling. A heartfelt thank you to the Honorable Erica Thomas-Adeyemi and the entire committee for this incredible recognition and for hosting such a beautiful and memorable event.

I still don’t know exactly how I was selected or what the committee read or saw on my social media profiles that made them believe I was worthy of this recognition. Nonetheless, whatever they saw, I don’t take the honor lightly.

When I first learned about the recognition, I wasn’t sure I would attend for so many reasons. Almost immediately after convincing myself that I probably couldn’t go, the FOMO started kicking in. Something in me knew this was a moment I didn’t want to miss.

I mentioned to my friend Chantale about the ceremony, and I wasn’t sure if I’d attend, partially because I didn’t want to roam around D.C. alone. Without hesitation, she said, “I’ll come hang with you.” Just like that, it became a no-brainer that she would spend the weekend with me.

Then another friend, Alexandria saw the announcement on my social media and sent me a text that said, “We going to D.C.?” I replied, “Yes,” and she immediately sprang into action to make sure she could be in the room.

I am blessed to have many people who genuinely love and support me, and I believe several of them would have been willing to make the trip. However, these two women were the ones God saw fit to place in this chapter of my story.

I try not to have too many asks of my village. I never want the people I love to feel pressured to show up for every moment, every accomplishment, or every celebration. Yet somehow, in every season and every situation, God reminds me that I am covered. The right people show up at the right time.

Years ago, a mentor shared something that has stayed with me: As you grow, never position yourself where you are always the smartest or most successful person in the room. If you do, you leave yourself with no higher heights to reach toward. She encouraged me to always have someone in my life whom I can glean from while also making sure there is someone who can glean from me.

That is exactly what this trip to D.C. represented for me. I was surrounded by women whose stories, accomplishments, service, resilience, and presence gave me something to glean from. And at the same time, I had to recognize that perhaps something in my own story could encourage another woman, too.

That, to me, is what being a woman of excellence is about.

It isn’t just about accolades, titles, degrees, businesses, books, awards, or having your name called in a room. Those are beautiful acknowledgments, but excellence runs deeper than what can be captured in a biography or displayed on social media.

The committee could see that I volunteer, that I work with veterans, and the services I provide to people navigating different forms of grief. They could see my many accomplishments and community involvement. However, what they couldn’t see was how I live when nobody is watching.

They couldn’t see the private moments when I choose to encourage another woman, share what I know, celebrate someone else’s accomplishment, make a phone call, offer a resource, extend grace, or just show up. They couldn’t see the times I’ve needed another woman to do those same things for me.

Maybe that is the greatest lesson I took home from being named one of the 100 Women of Excellence: Recognition may happen publicly, but excellence is built privately.

A woman of excellence understands that she can be both the woman gleaning and the woman being gleaned from. She can receive support while also giving it. She can celebrate another woman without questioning her own significance. There is room for all of us. When one of us shines, we all shine.