Emily
“Being a woman means being kind, but tough. Friendly, but outspoken. It means that you need to be understanding, but also not accept any bullshit, and that you need to know how to stand your ground.”
Emily has experienced and overcome so much in the first quarter of her life. She has turned tragedy into ambition, pursuing a rewarding career in the healthcare field and proactively helping others. She is thoughtful, organized, and compassionate. Meet Emily. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
E: My name is Emily and I'm a 26 year old young professional and creative in the Philadelphia area. I attended Temple University where I studied communications and digital marketing.
I now work in Public Relations & Marketing for a large healthcare system in Philadelphia. When I was first beginning college, I envisioned myself working in a sort of 'glamorous' marketing job - perhaps fashion. However, a few years and many, many internships later, I landed in healthcare and found it to be wonderfully interesting and meaningful to me. In my short life, I have quite a bit of experience in the medical world thanks to my own health issues and those of my family. I find the world of medicine to be fascinating, but I hate blood, so I don't think I could ever be a doctor or nurse (though I've considered it). Instead, I enjoy being involved from the creative perspective. I truly love what I do right now, and I learn something new everyday. For someone who is not actually a clinician, I know quite a bit about all sorts of diseases, treatments and medical technology.
In addition to my dayjob, I do some freelance work including social media and blogging.
In my freetime, I enjoy spending time with my friends, family and boyfriend. I have been vegetarian for more than half my life, and am a huge foodie. I love checking out new bars and restaurants, wineries, street festivals and events. I am also interested in photography and politics.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
E: If I'm being honest, I struggled with this one. I am a communicator and writer, but sometimes struggle when talking about myself. Luckily, a few friends offered up some descriptions of me. They say I am "driven, creative, a planner and always on the go." I think they're descriptions are accurate.
I am determined and hardworking, have a huge heart, and am extremely passionate about things that matter to me. I have long been outspoken about politics and social issues, which is something I get from my parents.
I like to say that I am a go-getter. When I come up with an idea or project, I make it happen. Just recently, one night in the middle of January, an idea came to me around midnight. I usually do something special with friends for Galentine's Day, but due to social distancing guidelines, that wasn't possible this year. I still wanted to do something unique to celebrate, as I love the meaning behind the 'holiday.' After lots of planning and coordination, a few weeks later, thanks to collaborations with some great brands, I had put together 50 self-care Galentines Day gift packages for female essential workers in the Philadelphia area, which I personally delivered. I took nominations for these bags via social media.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
E: I'm not sure I have one favorite thing, but I like that I have such a big heart, and I am a giver. I constantly go out of my way to do for and help other people. It makes me happy to help others, even if it's just in little ways.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
E: I have had several experiences that I think have defined me and made me a stronger person. Some in larger ways than others, but all significant. A few of them include:
-My father's very impressive fight against his glioblastoma brain tumor. GBMs aren't very common and not many people know much about them, but, it's essentially a 2-year death sentence once you're diagnosed. Though he fought hard and traveled all over the place for treatment, he died, right around the expected 2-year mark. I was 15, and it impacted my life quite a bit.
-My own experience with Crohn's disease. I was diagnosed when I was about 16. Though Crohn's is genetic (and it absolutely runs in my family), it's stress-triggered. When I think back to the timeline of my dad's illness, the craziness in my home, and when I was diagnosed with Crohn's, I can't help but think my diagnosis was connected to the stress I had. For about a year and a half I spent an enormous amount of time in and out of the hospital. I had long, miserable stays. Horribly painful, uncomfortable, never-ending tests and procedures, and finally a surgery which gave me my life back.
-My experience with Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, at age 23. It was unexpected and scary, and to this day I still worry regularly that it will come back.
These all sound depressing, and, while they were at the time, and still are in ways, they've all shaped me and made me a stronger person. I've made it through pain I never would have imagined I'd be able to. I have become a lot more informed about health and wellness, and care about it a ton. These experiences have shaped who I am as a person, my interest, and even my current career direction, as mentioned above.
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
E: I would tell myself to focus less on what other people think and expect of you and focus more on what YOU truly want for yourself. It's only in recent years that I have truly focused solely on what I think of myself and what I want for my life, and it's changed me for the better. I have become much more driven and outspoken. If I want to do something, I'll do it. If I want to say something, I'll say it. If I want to wear something, I'll wear it, and I don't care what anyone else thinks!
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
E: Being a woman means being kind, but tough. Friendly, but outspoken. It means that you need to be understanding, but also not accept any bullshit, and that you need to know how to stand your ground. It means that you may be called 'bossy' for being a leader, or be told that you're 'difficult or whiny' when you're simply speaking up. Being a woman means that you are strong as hell!
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
E: My mom inspires me. She is one of the strongest people I know. She has been through SO.MUCH. in her life, including more tragedy than some people experience in a lifetime, but somehow she still manages. I don't know how she does it, but her strength is inspiring. I am also inspired by the kind of person she is. She is kind, understanding, giving and open-minded. She used to be a social worker, so that probably explains it.