High-Heeled Success

Topical Thursday! This week the Top Fortune Most Powerful Women list came out. In the #1 spot is CEO Jane Fraser at Citigroup. Fraser broke Wall Street’s glass ceiling when she became the first woman CEO of a major bank in 2021. "The women on this list are leaders at 94 companies with a combined 11.8 million employees and $7.3 trillion in annual revenue. They hold 180 board seats and work across 20 countries and territories. So why should you care about this list? The importance of lists like Fortune’s Most Powerful Women goes far beyond celebrating a handful of elite executives. Visibility matters. Representation matters. And for women at every level of an organization, seeing women lead global companies reshapes what feels possible.

When women see leaders like Jane Fraser at the top of major financial institutions, it chips away at the outdated belief that leadership has a “look” or a gender. It sends a powerful message to emerging professionals, mid-level managers, entrepreneurs, and senior executives alike: there is room for women at the decision-making table.

But this recognition is important for another reason—it highlights that influence is not reserved for titles alone. The women on this list didn’t arrive there by competency alone. They cultivated strategic relationships, visibility, credibility, resilience, and the ability to lead through complexity. Those same principles apply to women at every stage of their careers.

For women early in their careers, this is a reminder to speak up, build networks, and pursue leadership opportunities before they feel “fully ready.”
For mid-career women, it reinforces the importance of advocacy, sponsorship, and positioning themselves for larger influence.
For senior leaders, it underscores the responsibility to mentor, amplify, and open doors for the next generation of women leaders.

Progress at the top creates momentum throughout the pipeline. Every woman who breaks a barrier makes it easier for another woman to walk through the door behind her.

This is what High-Heeled Success, LLC is all about, guiding women who are already highly competent to employ skills for exuding confidence, commanding credibility, and developing strategic relationships. If this just described you, please reach out for a complimentary 45-minute career consultation by emailing [email protected]

Wednesday Wisdom! This wise quote from activist, Angela Davis, struck me today. Perhaps it will impact you, too:
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” Profound twist on the Serenity Prayer. This applies to the workplace, your family, your community, and the world at large. Coming face-to-face with what you refuse to accept is the first step to radical change!

Tip Tuesday! One of the most powerful strategies women can use in meetings is finding an “amplifier” — another woman who intentionally reinforces and credits her ideas in the moment.

Too often, a woman shares a strong idea and it’s met with silence… only for a man to repeat the same thought minutes later and receive praise for being “strategic” or “innovative.”

Women can change this dynamic by supporting each other out loud:
“Building on Sarah’s point…”
“I want to go back to the idea Jennifer raised earlier…”
“That’s the same excellent recommendation Melissa just made.”

Amplification isn’t just support — it’s strategy.
When women make sure other women’s voices are heard, acknowledged, and credited, everyone benefits from stronger leadership and better ideas.

Did you know today is National High Heel Day? 👠

Honestly, I’m convinced the world created this day just for me! 😂

Rebranding my company in 2012 as High-Heeled Success was one of the best decisions I ever made. What started as a name became something so much bigger — a symbol of helping women rise above workplace barriers, own their value, and step boldly into success.

What amazes me most is that not a week goes by without someone sending me a photo, gift, ornament, mug, pair of shoes, or some other high-heel-inspired surprise. Every single one reminds me that the message stuck. It tells me that the work of empowering women to overcome disadvantages in the workplace is being remembered — and shared.

Here are just a few of the fun and meaningful high-heel treasures people have sent my way over the years. ❤️

To every woman continuing to climb, lead, influence, and succeed — keep walking tall. 👠✨

Wednesday Wisdom! There is such wisdom in lifelong friendship — in the women who walk beside us through every season of life.

Way to go Ruth Medlin for publishing your first book, Me and Mar, you can find it on Amazon. I know authoring this book was quite a journey. Thank you for taking the journey and giving us this gift!

This book chronicles, the lifelong friendship that Ruth and Miriam had. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will likely think of your own best!

There is so much said about women not supporting eacAmy Elliott Elberfeldace, this book is a tribute to what was and what can be!

Thank you Amy Elliott Elberfeld for organizing this book signing and hosting this lovely gathering of women!

Monday Motivation! Consider this quote from Winston Churchill for this week: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

For women in the workplace, this quote is such an important reminder. Careers are rarely a straight line. There will be wins that deserve celebration and setbacks that test your confidence. Neither defines your future.

What truly builds influence, leadership, and long-term success is the courage to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep moving forward — even after disappointment, rejection, or self-doubt.

Your resilience is not just a survival skill. It is a leadership strength.

Keep going. Someone is watching your courage and learning from it.

Friday First! Ususally this Friday post is good news about a woman who has acheived a "first" in their field. Today the news is not positive. For the first ime in years, major corporations are actively dismantling or cutting funds for formal employee affinity groups for women. Recent reserch reveals this retreat has left women with significantly less career support and fewer opportunities for advancement. This puts the responsibility for developing strategic relationships back on the individual and raises the importance of this endeavor. Is this happening at your company? If you need guidance in moving your career forward, let's talk. Email [email protected] and we will set up a time to discuss your situation with a complimentary 45-minute phone consultation.

Topical Thursday! Last night was a profound experience attending the musical Suffs, with my husband and 18 year-old granddaughter. It was both poignant, angering, and funny! I was brought to tears thinking about the ongoing struggle for women’s equality—from the days of Seneca Falls, to the silent vigils at the gate of President Wilson’s White House lead by Alice Paul, to MY first fight for equal dormitory curfew hours with men at the University of Tennessee, and the struggles women continue to fight for today!

I fight for women every day!

The most poignant part of the play for me was hearing the following lyrics:

“I won’t live to see the future that I fight for
Maybe no one gets to reach that perfect day
If the work is never over
Then how do you keep marching
anyway?”

The answer? I won’t see the future that I fight for but young women like my granddaughter with us last night and my younger granddaughter will march in their own way! They will take up the fight!

KEEP MARCHING!

Topical Thursday! Last night was a profound experience attending the musical Suffs, with my husband and 18 year-old granddaughter. It was both poignant, angering, and funny! I was brought to tears thinking about the ongoing struggle for women’s equality—from the days of Seneca Falls, to the silent vigils at the gate of President Wilson’s White House lead by Alice Paul, to MY first fight for equal dormitory curfew hours with men at the University of Tennessee, and the struggles women continue to fight for today!

I fight for women every day!

The most poignant part of the play for me was hearing the following lyrics:

“I won't live to see the future that I fight for
Maybe no one gets to reach that perfect day
If the work is never over
Then how do you keep marching
anyway?”

The answer? I won’t see the future that I fight for but young women like my granddaughter with us last night and my younger granddaughter will march in their own way! They will take up the fight!

KEEP MARCHING!

Wednessday Wisdom! Consider this wise quote from Sheryl Sandberg: “I want every little girl who's told she's bossy to be told instead she has leadership skills.”

In 2026, women in the workplace are still navigating the fine line between being perceived as “too much” and being recognized as effective leaders. Too often, direct communication, decisiveness, and ambition are labeled differently in women than in men.

The reality? Leadership requires vision, confidence, influence, and the courage to speak up — not permission to stay small.

Women who step into leadership today are redefining what authority, presence, and impact look like for the next generation. Every time a woman owns her voice, advocates for her ideas, or takes her seat at the table, she creates a wider path for others to do the same. This Wednesday, rethink the labels.
“Bossy” may simply be leadership waiting to be recognized. If you were called a bossy girl and it's paid off, would love for you to comment here!

Tip Tuesday! Women often believe that hard work and competence alone will create influence in the workplace. While performance matters, influence is also built through strategic relationships.
The professionals who are included in important conversations, recommended for opportunities, and viewed as key players are rarely operating in isolation. They have intentionally cultivated relationships across the organization.
Here are three actions women can take to build greater influence:
1. Build relationships before you need them.
Don’t wait for a challenge or opportunity to start connecting. Consistent visibility and engagement matter.
2. Expand beyond your immediate circle.
Create relationships across departments, levels, and functions. Influence grows when more people understand your value and expertise.
3. Be intentional about sponsorship. Mentors advise you but sponsors advocate for you in rooms where decisions are made. Identify and cultivate relationships with people who have organizational influence.
Strategic relationships are not about politics in the negative sense. They are about connection, credibility, visibility, and creating advocates for your success.