YWCA Women of Excellence: Andrea Bailey

What inspires you?

My spouse and my family inspire me everyday. Their unconditional love and them loving me sometimes more than I love myself is what inspires me to be my best self.

What advice do you have for others?

Be kind and genuine even when it's hard.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned on your journey?

The greatest lesson is to live my life being true to myself, I don’t always have to do the things that others expect me to do. I have to constantly remind myself of one of my favorite quotes “When we care too much about what others think, we are never free to walk the path of life that is right for us.”

What does your vision for our community look like?

My vision of Topeka is a community made up of citizens who are proud, embody compassion, have self-responsibility, embrace diversity and strive to be the community where everyone wants to live.

What does "Equal - Powerful - Unstoppable" mean to you?

When we set aside judgment and hate and focus on unity we come out stronger!