2015 Honoree

Emily Daniels

VP, Retail Operations, Financier Patisserie

”If you believe you have something worth sharing with the world, do so without reservation!”

Who inspires you the most?

My 2-year-old son, Judah. Watching him grow and develop and observing the natural kindness and fierce independence he already possesses, energizes and drives me. I am motivated to work harder so that he can have access to great opportunities, and I am inspired to treat others better, try new things, let go of negativity, and move on to the next exciting experience in life.

What do you now know about yourself that you wish you knew ten/fifteen/twenty years ago?

I can move on from failures quickly, if I allow myself to.

Fill in the blank: You can never have enough _____.

Butter.

What city best describes your personality?

Copenhagen.

What gets you through even the toughest days and what are you most grateful for?

My family. They are an amazing support system that offers me shoulders to cry on, distractions, laughter, and advice. I usually wait far too long to call one of them, but once I do, they immediately share the weight and help me get through it.

What socio-political women’s issue do you care about the most?

Reproductive Rights. Until we live in a society that allows women authority over their own bodies, it’s hard to imagine that we will be treated equally or achieve justice in any other capacity.

Do you feel that women are typically presented fairly in the media? Why or why not?

I think neither women nor men are typically presented fairly in the media. Media thrives on sensationalism and presenting extremes. People are not so one-dimensional. Women are disproportionately stereotyped and oversimplified. Emphasis on appearance and sexuality outweighs attention to accomplishments and achievements.

Although there is supposed to be a separation between Church & State, religion still seems to govern many political decisions regarding women–abortions, birth control, etc.-–usually from men. What is the best approach to shift power over women’s bodies to women?

We must do everything in our power to support elected officials who appreciate individual rights and will work to uphold the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade.

What is your best read?

She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb.

Favorite character you would most like to be?

Jo March from Little Women.

What will it take for women to be viewed as equal to men?

Complete reassessment of the values in our society.

Are sexist jokes problematic, and how do you feel about people’s view that women should just “lighten up” about them?

I believe any jokes based upon bias are wrong and have the potential to be damaging. I admire people who stand their ground when they hear a joked based upon prejudice. I would encourage them to speak their mind, not to “lighten up.”

What was your best decision to date? Worst decision?

Marrying my husband, who believes in and supports me.
Ignoring good advice because I was not open to the source.

Within the past few years, social media has exploded. How can women use it to market themselves without seeming narcissistic?

If your marketing efforts are successful, chauvinistic comments are irrelevant. What is often viewed as narcissism in women is interpreted as self-confidence in men. If you believe you have something worth sharing with the world, do so without reservation!

Write a fortune you’d like for all women to receive in a fortune cookie.

You are beautiful and loveable!

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Able to read and understand a book just by touching it. Of course, I would still want to be able to curl up and read a book the good old-fashioned way!