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My Story

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1960

As a ten-year-old girl, hoping to play little league baseball, I cut my hair off to look like a boy.  It didn't work. 

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1968

Attended Adelphi University near NYC.  You were nobody if you weren't accepted into a sorority.  Go Delta Gamma!

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1971

Married that guy right after college graduation. Love that all my sisters were in the wedding.

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1995

Took my Long Beach principal's advice and became a middle school principal in Torrance USD.  Loved every minute of it. 

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1963

Knowing there was little chance I could  play on a girl's basketball team  I decided to join the cheer squad. 

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1969

Oh my look at that dress!  

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1977

My one and only baby boy.  Born after teaching for six years.  Nice break

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2005

Earned my doctorate, researched the gender divide and wrote
a book for women.  Convinced more than ever that I could become a school CEO.   

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1967

Two careers existed for women; teaching or nursing.  While I wanted to become a hairdresser my father wanted me to go to college as he feared I wouldn't be able to find a husband. 

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1970

I disappointed my father by not finding this guy at college!  What a keeper! 

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1986

Moved to California and taught school in Long Beach.  Had a woman principal who told me I could be one too!

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2006

After six grueling job interviews I became the first woman superintendent for Central Unified School District.  Loved the job.

2010

Worked so hard at being a school superintendent, the city  awarded me Top Ten Women of the Year.

2012

Retired and wrote a book  to help others  get a job in educational leadership. Was an Amazon Best Seller!

2013

Accepted a faculty position in the doctoral program for Brandman University.  Awarded Faculty of the Year!  Nice.

2014

Began speaking at Women's conferences on how to gain a position of leadership in a male driven society. 

2018

Privileged to work with strong women on their  dissertations related to  women and leadership.

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2020

Researched women and self-confidence and wrote another Sister Book with my Sister Jessica.  

2015

Coauthored a book with a university colleague on how to keep your job once you get it!

2016

Began speaking professionally on the topic of women in leadership and the gender divide.

2019

Partner in Crime-My co-author and sister, Jessica Thompson.  Together we interviewed hundreds of women on self confidence and personal power.  

2019

Began researching women and aging and coauthored a book with my sister to navigate the topic of ageism. 

2020

Excited to be interviewed for our Lipstick Book by the LA Times.   

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