I can’t remember the last time I wore a name tag. But it was past time for me to put one on, break out of my virtual consulting silo at the cottage and make new friends in the real world.
Plus stepping out to attend the local chamber’s Women Entrepreneurs’ lunch was the only way I could get face-time with Coastal Mississippi’s publishing celebrity Dorothy Patrick Wilson.
What makes Dorothy special is her passion for empowering women.
“Where are we going? Wherever the women are!” she responded when asked about the direction of her print and digital magazine Gulf Coast Woman.
While I enjoyed Dorothy’s lunch presentation about building great teams, it was the newly published book Unboxed she had on display that got my attention—which, by the way, I won in the meeting’s random drawing.
Dorothy had dreamed up the idea of the book 2 years ago. At first, she thought it was her book to write, she said. But she ended up finding 25 women to co-author their own stories instead—women who, like Dorothy, had broken free of the fear that had boxed them in and who now define success on their own terms.
In the book’s introduction, Dorothy writes about trying to fit into someone else’s definition of great journalism when she worked in the newspaper business. She also shares how she lived in fear as a young girl, growing up with a “binge-drinking abuse-inflicting” father.
She writes: “I finally escaped from the fear box in 1995. I was reading the book of Psalms, Chapter 118, and my thinking was upended forever. ‘The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’
“I ate the truth and it set me free!”
If you know anything about my journey and how HerNature came to be, then you know why Dorothy was at the top of my “Women Leaders to Meet on the Coast” list. There is nothing more exciting to me than hearing Dorothy’s story of courage to reconnect with the truth of who she was and fearlessly pursuing what was in her true nature to do—and make a difference while doing it.
After diving into the book, I’m certain Unboxed: 25 Women Share How To Break Free And Soar will deliver on its promise—to help us remember who we are in spite of all that has changed around us and who we were told to be.
On this Fearless Friday, I celebrate Dorothy and the contributions she’s making toward empowering women to “escape average.” Her hope is my hope:
“That you’ll realize you’re a beautiful gift from God, ready to be unboxed and become everything He created you to be. Like the caterpillar metamorphosing into the beautiful butterfly … Break Free And Soar!”
Happy trailblazing,
-Carole
P.S. It’s not so easy to remember who you were before you were told who to be. As a marketing director for many years, I struggled to function as one integrated person without separate work and personal compartments. It was only through the support of a coach and deep self-reflective work that reconnected with who I am and find the fulfillment I was seeking. If you’re looking for more meaning in your career and life, I can show you the path. Let’s connect.
Photo: Newly emerged Monarch butterfly dries its wings while hanging onto the hand of my brother aka “butterfly whisperer” David Dupre. Taken in Covington, LA by ©Carole Dupre LLC. All rights reserved.
As founder of HerNature®, Carole Dupre’ guides professional women in unearthing their natural strengths, clarifying their niche, landing their dream jobs and launching businesses that honor their true nature. She is a certified personal brand strategist, resume writer, social brand analyst, 360Reach survey coach and digital marketer.
