by Kay Kim, editor in chief
BALI girls, also known as femininjas, were exposed to more leadership skills.
Liz Abzug, the founder of BALI, held a workshop about public speaking. She referenced various tips from not only her experience, but also from the book, Talk Like TED.
After her lecture, the girls each took turns to read an excerpt from various speeches by famous women. Some of those speeches included those given by Elizabeth Warren, Hillary Clinton, Bella Abzug, and Susan B. Anthony.
Femininjas then provided feedback for the speaker that read the excerpt. They were critiqued on the tone, pace, emphasis, passion, pauses, and various other dimensions.
BALI girls’ journey to leadership did not stop there. They were empowered as WNBC meteorologist, Janice Huff, and entertainment marketer, Merle Frimark, gave a few words.
Since she was young, Huff was instilled with leadership by her mother. Growing up, she has become one – one who leads by example.
Despite the fact that her job was mostly male-based, Huff did not stop herself from doing what she loved most – weather.
During her talk, Huff stated, “It didn’t intimidate me working in an all-male room.”
“She [Janice Huff] was very joyful and I liked that she put humor in her speeches as well. The part that stuck with me was when she was talking about her life story and how she overcame her struggles because I had to overcome obstacles before, too,” trainee Rosangel Conde said.
Frimark continued to inspire the girls as she spoke of her experience as an entertainment marketer. She started her career at 12 years old, working for the Beatles. This ultimately led her to the position that she is in today, working behind-the-scenes to help maintain well-known musicals.
Being at the right place at the right time is important because it may lead to the destined future, just like it was for Frimark. Although she had no idea that she would be doing what she does today, she was at the Beatles’ office at the right time and was hired a job.
Frimark said during her words of encouragement stated, “No matter what you do, take pride in what you are doing.”
