YWCA Women of Excellence: Juli Watson

What inspires you?

Every student I work with that has hard times and wants to give up but pushes through regardless of the struggles they face and makes it to their end goal.

What advice do you have for others?

There is purpose in the struggle. Take the lesson and learn from it. Let it empower you to take the next step towards the life you want to live.

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

I have learned to be flexible and take time to breathe. Sometimes in those paused moments something fantastic happens that you would have missed if you rushed through life.

What does your vision for our community look like?

I see our children setting goals past high school and on to their next destination. I see our children leading our community with their voices and ideas and not being afraid to speak up. I see families becoming one with the school system as we build bright futures for our children in Topeka together. I see an equitable education for all. I see our children growing into our future leaders and business owners of Topeka.

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

I see all genders and races feeling like they have the same chances as those around them. This is big for me personally and professionally. Being a biracial woman I have been surrounded with times where life has not been equal for myself or other in my family. The day all come together to fight for each other and stand up for what is right is the day we will be unstoppable. We have to be in this together. We have to fight for equality together. This will change the lives of myself, family and students I work with daily. It will build a generation of people who believe and have hope and feel they are unstoppable.