Southwest Airlines Celebrates Women's History Month

[cthompson]

March is Women’s History Month and Southwest Airlines is proud to honor the incredible women who have made history around the world, as well as the talented women, Customers and Employees alike, who are making a positive difference in our own backyard.  This is a guest blog post from Dr. Christa L. Thompson, President, Breakthrough Transitions, LLC, and daughter of Southwest Airlines Employee, Jackie Thompson. The Tempe Chamber of Commerce in Arizona started this year with another inspirational leadership series hosted by the Women in Business Council.  Southwest Airlines has been a member of the Chamber for more than 20 years and my mother, Jackie Thompson, who works in the Community Affairs & Grassroots Department for Southwest has supported this organization as a board member and board chair. Last year, my mom kicked off the leadership series with her well-known grace and thought-provoking advice.  So, when I was approached to kick off this year with the theme The Right Shoes for the Journey, how could I decline such an honor?  Not to mention, what girl doesn’t like a nice pair of shoes?  I was thrilled to step into my mother’s shoes and talk about the discipline of Emotional Intelligence.  My part of the series was entitled Does the Shoe Fit? My session introduced emotional intelligence and how effective it can be during times of career transition. The truth is emotional intelligence (EI), which encompasses how we perceive, express, and manage our emotions and others, can be effective in any period of change in one’s life whether it’s career-focused or personal.  As a life strategist, I work with individuals who are experiencing or anticipate some sort of transition.  Regardless of whether you’re experiencing a transition or not, simply being aware of your own emotions can help develop and maintain relationships with yourself and others in all aspects of your life.

Dr. Christa Thompson and her mother, Jackie Thompson

As we celebrate National Women’s History Month, I would like to thank my mom for helping me determine what pair of shoes I feel comfortable in.  Although I may never be able to fill the shoes I’ve seen her wear over the years, I feel in my adulthood and the pathway I’m headed I can at least walk with her side by side. Dr. Christa Thompson www.breakthroughtransitions.com For more information on the chamber event, please visit http://www.tempechamber.org/.