Wake Up and Lead

The ever-inspiring Georgia State Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan took time out from running for re-election and promoting her new book No Apologies: Powerful Lessons in Life, Love & Politics to remind younger women to empower themselves, shake off the fear and get moving.

You’ve been serving in the Georgia government since you were 23. What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership is moving first, asking for permission later. It's seeing an issue and doing something about it. It's being a voice for those who lack one. It is filling a void. It is the willingness to speak truth to power. It is what many of us are called to do but refuse to do, out of fear or the unwillingness to take ourselves out of our comfort zones.

Taking yourself out of your comfort zone can be very intimidating. What makes you feel brave?

What makes me brave is my upbringing. It's really in me; it's who I am. I also grew in the NAACP, which developed me early on as a young leader. Having the audacity and the fearlessness to say the things that have to be said and do what needs to be done make me brave, as well as the heaviness that I feel when I don't do or say what's necessary.

Not standing up for yourself and what you believe in, that's something that we have all battled with. What advice do you have for younger women struggling to find their voice?

Follow your passion! Do the thing that wakes you up in the morning. Know that there's a place for you, and if you haven't found it, create it. Know and understand that your voice is needed, which comes with great responsibility. Don't wait for a certain time to use your voice and talents. There are those things that we believe we need in order to do the work we've been called to do - the degrees on the wall, the life partner and the 2.5 kids, and etc. - but when you've been called to do something, do it now!

The Younger Women's Task Force looks forward to hearing more from Alisha on November 13 at the A.S.C.E.N.D. Leadership Conference for Younger Women.