Power to the pint-sized people

In a recent fellowship application I was asked to share, in 150 words or less, a memorable anecdote from my life that would give insight into what makes me tick. After some consideration, I decided to share an incident regarding power, planning and gender appropriations from my childhood. Read below.

At the age of seven, I unknowingly started down the path of becoming an outspoken leader, solutions-finder and champion of the underrepresented by devising a plan to commandeer the dodgeball court from male classmates during playtime at school.

Frustrated that we were never able to take possession of the court, I gathered together five girlfriends and detailed a very specific, organized plan, that included grasping hands around the perimeter of the circle until the boys grew weary of us, on how we would take custody of the court.

This is the first time I remember recognizing a problem or issue, devising a plan that would solve the predicament and then leading a group to execute the strategy. Of course I didn't realize it at the time, but it not only exemplified who I would become as an adult, but also created a foundation for the work I would do in the future.