11 Questions with a Women's Career Motivator

Sara Bordo began being a personal mentor to women in her corporate jobs. As she noticed more and more women responding to her support and empowerment, she decided to found Women Rising, an organization that helps women find career success through speeches, workshops, and mentoring. We decided to interview Sara about her involvement with young women in today's world.

1. What is your cause?

I’ve been mentoring younger women for more than 10 years. Too many young women feel they don’t have a champion in their corner or the right tools to chase their dream career. I wanted to see if I could do something to change that.

2. What did you do to take action?

I founded Women Rising. We are in the business of championing young women so that they may be inspired to champion others.

3. What was the first moment that you realized that you were making an impact?

That moment came when I showed my intern the agenda for my first workshop. As she read it, she started to cry. I thought, “Oh no, is it that bad?” She looked at me and said, “Hurry!” I realized then that this work has the potential to really make a difference, one woman at a time.

4. What was your organization's first form of action?

I gave a speech on Sisterly Support at a conference for the Sisterhood of the Traveling BDU’s. I actually met the founders, Moranda and Kylee, at last year's DoSomething Bootcamp. They are two spectacular young women doing spectacular things.

5. Why is it important for women to have the same rights and success as men in the workplace?

If women want to pursue a goal in business, they should be able to with no obstacles, period. Women make 77 cents to a man’s dollar. We’ve made progress, but strides towards equality in the workplace can move quicker.

6. What age groups do you work with?

Young women in high school through college and early into their career

7. Can you give an example of an inspiring woman that you’ve met through your cause?

There are very few young women I meet who are not inspiring--from a young woman who works two jobs in order to be the first in her family to graduate college, to a young woman who overcomes bullying in high school, to a young woman who follows her dream to move to New York. It’s easy to be inspired by what other women aren’t afraid to tackle.

8. What can young women in high school or college do to further your ideas?

Just like in the movie Mean Girls, most young women compete for attention in many ways, while guys take out their competitive edge more on the sports field. Women have learned to compete more emotionally and that feel threatened by each other. If there is one idea I would love to spread, it is the idea that we can all make the choice to champion each other, rather than allow ourselves to feel threatened by each other.

9. What is next for Women Rising?

We have two workshops in Los Angeles: Wednesday the 23rd and Tuesday the 28th both starting at 6pm. We have a few spaces left and I’d love if you are interested to email me at sara@womenrising.com

10. What is your dream for the world regarding this issue

My dream for the world is that every woman who wants to pursue her ideal career can, that she will be treated equally and, best of all, that she will be a champion of and championed by other women on her way up.

11. What is your advice to young people, both male and female, in today's world?

Don’t be afraid to try different internships, even if it proves it’s not a great match. Surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.