She worked quietly and efficiently
Assumed her work was there for everyone to see
And admire, she put in hours beyond required
She had a reputation of being a hard-worker acquired
She did not talk much about her accomplishments though
Small talk would interfere with efficiency and make her slow
So she believed, besides she operated with the conviction
That actions spoke louder than words, impeccable work made the distinction
**
She had assumed she would in her career make strides
Because of her dedication, eventually, so she let it slide
When others (men) more vociferous in their opinions
(Without doing as much) were given the power to make decisions
And she, the quiet one, was sidelined
At every opportunity for promotion she was left behind
Slowly she noticed that she would receive
Time-intensive projects that were less important perceived
While the plum assignments that more impactful seemed
Would go to her colleagues who were more competent deemed
She also realized the ideas she had shared informally
Were stolen by others who claimed their authenticity
What was happening took her a while to realize
She understood that she needed to be more worldly-wise
**
I wish I could say she turned around and achieved
Everything she deserved, but despite the reality she perceived
She found it difficult to transform herself into someone
Who could toot her own horn, be afraid of none
She has grown smarter, and no longer accepts
Having work dumped on her, in this respect
She has made some strides, but still struggles to be heard
In a room full of assertive folks, who still have the final word
*
Actions speak, but words do too
Women need to speak up more at work, it’s true..
Is this social conditioning that lets women be
On the sidelines, not front and center for the world to see?
Passion...unbridled 