Hey Ms. Parker

Not  everything you notice deserves a reaction. That becomes harder when you know you’re right, when a line has been crossed, or when the truth would be easy to say and satisfying to deliver. Experience teaches something pride never does: most arguments are more expensive than they’re worth. Growth is recognizing the play and choosing not to enter it. You can understand what’s happening without participating. You can see clearly without having to explain yourself. You can let people misunderstand you and still move forward unaffected. Silence is not the absence of awareness. It’s a decision about where your energy belongs. Every unnecessary response shifts attention away from what actually matters. Every emotional reaction gives someone else influence over your time, your focus, and your peace. At a certain stage, those things are non-negotiable. People will show you who they are without your involvement. Let them. The work is not to respond. The work is to adjust. Stillness is not...

  As we step into Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about what authentic leadership looks like when the noise is loud and the work is demanding. It’s never just the title. It’s the discipline, the clarity, and the gratitude you carry with you. I’m grateful for the teams who show up with commitment, focus, and genuine care, even on the hard days. I’m grateful for the partners and advocates who continue pushing for equity and access across our communities. And I’m grateful for the grounding moments that remind me why this work matters, especially now. Leadership isn’t proven by volume. It’s proven by steadiness. By how you show up. By how you treat people. By how you stay aligned with your purpose when everything around you is shifting. I’m wishing everyone a peaceful Thanksgiving, one filled with rest, clarity, and the kind of perspective that brings us back to what truly matters.

People are losing their SNAP benefits, and too many are responding with silence or judgment. Food insecurity isn’t a character flaw; it’s a crisis of circumstance. One layoff, one medical bill, one unexpected setback can change everything, and when it does, survival shouldn’t depend on shame. SNAP and WIC were never about handouts. They were created to keep families fed and children healthy when life falls apart. That’s humanity, not charity. You are not better than someone on welfare - just luckier. Leaders and policymakers should remember: dignity isn’t a privilege. It’s a responsibility. #SNAPBenefits  🎨Liberal Jane Illustration

I  don’t chase happiness anymore. I’ve learned to recognize it in the quiet spaces between moments, the early mornings, the peace after a hard decision, the calm that follows choosing grace instead of reaction. There was a time when everything had to be seen. Success had to look a certain way, and fulfillment felt tied to validation. But over time, I’ve realized that happiness isn’t a reward for achievement. It’s what’s left when you stop performing and start being present. True happiness lives in the stillness, after the noise fades. It shows up when you survive what was meant to break you, when you stop explaining yourself, and when you protect your peace like it’s part of your purpose. Rebuilding isn’t about starting over; it’s about standing stronger. It’s about honoring who you are right now, even while you’re still becoming. I used to think happiness was somewhere ahead of me. Now I know it’s been here all along, waiting for me to slow down and notice it.

Leadership in women’s health means amplifying research, equity, and representation. Proud to see that in action at the Black Women in Clinical Research Conference. Too often, the conversation about women’s health leadership focuses on access and advocacy, both essential, but leaves out a critical piece of the story: representation in science itself. The Black Women in Clinical Research Conference reminded me that true progress occurs when women who’ve been excluded from research, leadership, and decision-making positions are finally shaping the data, driving innovation, and leading conversations about care. Black women are not only subjects of health data; we are producers of knowledge, innovators, and bridge builders. Our lived experience, cultural insight, and community relationships strengthen the integrity and relevance of women’s health research. That’s the story too few people tell. As leaders, we have an obligation to ensure that every study, every policy, and every program refl...