This year I told myself that it was time to catalyze legacy. It is the time to be very intentional about the people I spend time with, the spaces I inhabit, and the trail I blaze forward. I want to create a lasting, positive impact that supersedes my expectations. In seasons of growth and anticipation, I try to prioritize gratitude. I did not get to this point in my life (and career) by chance. I was surrounded by people that supported, encouraged, and inspired me along the journey. Every day was not easy, and I promise you, it still is not! Faith, discipline, and mental fortitude keep me pressing forward, empowering me to create a space in which my soul is free and my mind endlessly dreams.

“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life.” – Mae Jemison (Astronaut)

For Women’s History Month, I am honoring the women that positively impacted my life both professionally and personally.

When I started college at UNC Chapel Hill in 2010, I was a Biology major. It seemed like a good fit for me because I was “Pre-Med” just like a huge population of other incoming students. I am very grateful that my first-year I was assigned a work-study position. Lisa Volaric and Dr. Sherryl Yu-Su were the first to give me a job in a chemistry lab. I prepared the lab for the next day’s experiments, mainly upper level lab courses (ie. organic chemistry). Not only did these women provide me my first employment opportunity, they also were key in my transition from a biology major to a chemistry major. Lisa informed me of all the potential opportunities that existed as a chemist and I’m grateful for her mentorship. As I matriculated through my undergraduate studies, I was a lecture aid for Dr. Jillian Dempsey. Years passed and I am still very grateful for Dr. Dempsey’s invitations to share my journey in chemistry at UNC with the next-generation of scholars. My studies in chemistry have been extremely rewarding over the years and I’m always grateful of the perspective these women implanted that remain a constant force of encouragement!

Related Post: Why Choose a Career in Chemistry?

I am a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, the professional chemistry fraternity. At my initiation (UNC Chapel Hill), I met Claudia Brodkin. She became the person to connect me to other amazing women in chemistry! Between my undergraduate studies and the start of my master’s degree, Claudia helped me figure out the best path for me in scientific research. She actually connected me to the late Dr. Karen Brewer at Virginia Tech who gave me my first job after undergrad. In the Brewer lab, I synthesized ruthenium complexes. It was only the start of my love for Inorganic chemistry and catalysis. I went on to a research-based Master’s program working on hexacoordinate silicon diols for heterogeneous catalysis.

During my Master’s program at UNC-Charlotte, I had two women on my thesis committee – Dr. Bernadette Donovan-Merkert and Dr. Irina Nesmelova – which is rare. As a woman in science, it was important for me to have role models that reflected parts of my identity, especially in those early stages of my journey. I was in a research-based degree program. I spent many hours in the lab and had to mature as a scientist, researcher, and person. The women on my thesis committee helped me navigate graduate school with grace. In a career field that is dominated by mostly men, working with influential women was inspiring. It continues to inspire me to mentor and support other women, especially those that follow the path of science.

Related Post: Advantages of a Research-Based, Chemistry Graduate Program

Now that I am fully in my professional career, I still seek opportunities to find peer mentors. I believe that it is important for women to support other women! It reminds me of the time I went to Berlin, Germany and participated in the Women in Batteries social at the Future Battery Forum. To be surrounded by women in the battery industry provides a unique experience to challenge your perspectives, validate your experiences, and learn best practices in navigating the professional space.

A supportive network of women is priceless!

I grew up in a family that was very tight-knit, especially the women. My grandma, whom I fondly referred to as Babe, was the matriarch. I finished my PhD while grieving her death. Unbelievably almost 5 years have passed and all of the girls from my generation have taken their own paths in life. I guess we have grown apart. But, I remember the amazing aspects of the family dynamic and community that created priceless moments full of joy and laughter. Those moments encouraged me along the way when research became quite demoralizing. I have always had a “why” – FAMILY! Being far away from family in graduate school, it was important for me to find women that reflected my identity. To this day I am very grateful to call each of them friend (you know who you are!).

Navigating Corporate America as a Black woman is not trivial. Showing up as an authentic version of self takes courage and acknowledgement that it is okay not to be understood. I have met many amazing women in industry, through professional networks, and even through my hobbies. Each of them have contributed to my story and inspire me in some way or another. As a Black woman in science, I do not take the responsibility of catalyzing legacy lightly. I seek opportunities to give back to the next-generation as people have graciously given to me. I am finding ways of pouring into the communities that have uplifted me on this path to success. I hope to inspire, to encourage, and to support as many people along the way as possible.

So I will leave you with a quote from my PhD dissertation dedication:

“To people often overlooked and undermined by their community, know that your unique experiences set you apart from the masses. To those with seemingly oppressed voices, remember that your voice matters despite what others may want you to believe.” – Crystal K. Waters, PhD

And lastly, special shout-out to the amazing woman that helped make this all possible – I love you mom!

I’m catalyzing legacy…what about you?