From orphan to the first female African-American 3 Star General
Washington (CNN)Army Surgeon General Nadja West is a model of confidence with her combat boots, impeccable military posture and three stars adorning her uniform.
Yet walking through the Pentagon courtyard, I had to pick my jaw up from the ground when she revealed that confidence was one of the main issues she struggled with as she rose through the Army ranks.
Discover more Badass Women of Washington with Dana Bash
The first female African-American three-star general in US Army history, the highest-ranking woman ever to graduate from West Point, a wife and mother of two -- West's accolades add up to a badass woman by anyone's standard. Yet, like so many of us, she has struggled to believe in herself. Her story shows that even the toughest and most powerful women in Washington have overcome not just external barriers but internal ones."My parents always said of course you can do anything you want, but I never did," West told me candidly. "I would always have confidence issues: 'I don't think I can do that.'"
In our hourlong conversation, West, 56, was honest about how she was riddled with self-doubt as she began her career -- especially in her decision to pursue medical school. She says it was a random elevator encounter with a West Point alumnus that pushed her to get over her fears.
"He asked me about what I was interested (in), and I said, 'Well, I was interested in going to medical school, but I don't think I'll be able to get in.' And he's like, 'What's wrong with you? You know, why do you think that?'"
0 Comments