Joanne: What do you think about Barbara's program for middle school-age young women?

Carol: I think it is critical for our young women to have role models of professionals of all types. I believe that Barbara provides real-life people [around this area] that the young women can easily relate to.

Kim: [H]er program is wonderful. I like that Barbara profiles so many women. I have a middle school-age daughter, and Barbara's program will open up opportunities for girls to dream about bigger careers for themselves.

Joanne: What motivated you to be one of her mentors?

Carol: There is an immense need to provide role models of color for all professions. Barbara gives us the opportunity to be that for our young women.

Kim: I love helping with programs that will expand children's minds. I have three of my own children, and my husband and I are always talking about possible career paths for each of them. It's something we feel children don't learn much about, [and that children need to be] exposed to different choices. One of the reasons I started my business at CereusWomen.com is to help mothers build a business that allows them to stay home. When mothers work from home, not only does it get children out of day-care environments, but it also allows the children to see their mothers working. It allows them to see what some of their options might be. It shows that you can be a mother and a career woman.

Joanne: What do you hope students will gain from hearing your story?

Carol: Motivation. I hope that by seeing our very real stories, the young women are inspired to achieve.

Kim: I hope students, especially young girls, will learn about the many options that are available to them beyond the typical roles that woman tend to choose. I hope that the girls will learn that there is much more to an adult life than [what they see in magazines and on TV.] I hope that one of the industries or women on the cards will [grab] their interest enough to think about it and possibly consider that choice for themselves. I hope that the program provides a learning experience for some children who might not have great role models in their own lives.

Background: Both mentors are entrepreneurs--they own their businesses. Young women in our Accountant career workshop will learn that Carol Sanchez moved from Peru to Framingham, MA, when she was eight years old with her parents and sister. Within six months, Carol was taking all her classes in English. Her high school business teacher encouraged Carol to apply for a scholarship to Northeastern University. After graduating with a B.A. in accounting, Carol worked in progressively more responsible positions at several large corporations. With Maria Santiago, she co-owns Sanchez and Santiago, the largest Latina-run CPA firm.

Kim Reddington is one of the mentors students will find out about in the Software Engineer workshop. Kim Reddington grew up in an older neighborhood in Worcester, MA, where home robberies occurred regularly. Kim's parents encouraged her to go to college. She graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, one of the best engineering schools in the Northeast. Kim worked as a software engineer for several years. After her first baby was born, she started her own software consulting company to stay home with her son and to have a more flexible schedule. She excelled in her business while raising three children. Kim recently started a new business, CereusWomen.com, as a coach to help moms become "mompreneurs"--stay-at-home moms who have successful businesses.