Vote on Desiree Davidson's Story
Were they afraid we were planning a coup d'etat?
I spent my first summer during Columbia Law School at a firm in Philadelphia described as one of the best places in the city for black lawyers. I believed that if there was any place where I would have an equal chance at opportunities, be treated fairly and succeed, this would be it. There were three black female summer associates out of sixty that year but any time all three of us were in an office talking, one of the partners would knock on the door to see how we were doing. It happened too often to be a coincidence that sometimes we would purposely agree to meet in so-and-so's office to test our theory that we were being monitored. Like clock work, ten minutes after we would get together a partner would stop by.
Worklife Balance
I left my corporate job after being denied vacation. What makes it worse is that I specifically raised potential scheduling conflicts when the vacation dates were approved.
I always tried to remain professional. I was a consultant with extensive contact with clients. The hypocrisy of staying upbeat with clients while not respecting the organization that I worked for, contributed significantly to my decision to quit.
While working at my last job, I was constantly having to deal with a boys' club mentality. The fact that the other female team-mate and I were excluded was very apparent when we overheard the rest of the team planning to take another team-member out to lunch for his birthday.
I had a "this is the last straw" moment...While working for a large, nation-wide consulting firm, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 liver Cancer.
I was working all of the time and my hours got out of control. Once, I was having a dinner party at my house and I got a call at home.
I would leave in the morning before my kids were up and come home past 8 or 9, after they were fast asleep.
For nine years, I worked at major consulting firm where I traveled all the time. I went to Israel on twelve separate occasions within an 18-month period.
The constant travel kills your life and it's nearly impossible to meet someone and get married. After I left, I applied for another position at a top tier consulting firm and tried desperately to keep quiet the fact that I had a son.
I worked at dot.com for several years under a supervisor who had no work-life balance. Since she was in the office 12 hours a day, she expected all of us to be there longer.
Most the people in fashion are young, single women or gay men. I was a young mother of twins so I had to leave on time to make my daycare commitments.
