Celebrating Women's History Month - Spotlight: Christina Page
For Women's History Month, Junior Achievement is proud to highlight strong, amazing women and their accomplishments that help make the world a better place. Women's History Month traces back to the first International Women's Day in 1911, and since then has transformed into the month-long celebration we have grown to know and love. In honor of International Women's Day (March 8) and Women's History Month, Junior Achievement would like to recognize Christina Page, Assistant Vice President, Woodforest Bank, for her fourteen years of volunteerism with Junior Achievement.
Christina Page is a role model and a strong, independent woman who motivates those around her. When asked where she gets her strength and motivation, she says it comes from her mother. Christina's parents married shortly after high school and had two daughters. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom but began her college journey when Christina started the fourth grade. Five years later, Christina's mother earned a bachelor's degree in education from Sam Houston State University and spent over 20 years working in the Conroe Independent School District while raising her children. "She wants us to be more than she thought she could be and wishes that she had our strength. I do not think she understands that our strength comes from her. Her love and support have guided us through more than she could have ever imagined", said Page.
Christina believes that women early to enter a workforce full of men were trailblazers who broke the glass ceiling and paved the way. She believes as women we need to build off those efforts to strengthen links with our communities and create an environment based on equality and support for all people. The comforts we often take for granted are the result of wars fought by those who came before us for us to make such progress. To honor them, we must live each day attempting to improve things for people who look up to us because we will serve as role models for future generations.
Page shared, "Women of today wear so many hats: mom, PTO/PTA volunteer, team mom, chaos coordinator, mentor, friend, and now we have added our careers on top of it all. Some of us are blessed to have the support of a good spouse that will share in those roles. However, not everyone is as fortunate. Women are resilient; we are like a duck gliding across a pond; they are calm and collected on the surface. But what you cannot see is the ducks' legs kicking like crazy to make sure everything stays afloat. Even though women have become a pivotal part of the workforce, the responsibility of building a home for our families did not get handed off to someone else. There is still challenging work juggling behind the scenes of women showing a solid work presence to meet those expectations."
When asked what she would like young women just starting in the workforce to know, she expressed, "to find something you love and make a career out of it! Everyone must build a foundation for life. It does not matter if you are a millionaire or not; what matters is that every day you get up wanting to be the best at what you enjoy doing. Because at the end of the day, your paycheck size is not what brings you happiness. Ensure that you have a proper balance between working and spending time with your family. Find a company that supports you and is willing to give you the same energy and passion you pour into the company. I have been very blessed in my career with Woodforest; I was hired when I was seventeen and had challenges that came with being dyslexic. They were supportive and gave me the resources to be successful. I tell people that Woodforest raised me; they taught me to have a strong work ethic and balance that with my love of community and family."
Early in her career, Christina wished someone had told her that "people can only have power if you let them. So, surround yourself with people that lift you and challenge you to be stronger. Never allow someone's view of you to affect your self-worth."
During Women's History Month, let's continue to celebrate women's contributions and recognize the specific achievements women have made throughout American history. Thanks to Christina for sharing her story with us and demonstrating what it means to be the change you wish to see in this world!