Written by Lacey Darrow, Senior Global Public Relations Manager, Rocket Software
March symbolizes a month of celebration, reflection, and advocacy for women’s rights and achievements. In honor of Women’s History Month, I want to share my personal tale—a story that I hope will resonate with and perhaps even inspire career-driven women and those in tech who are carving out their own paths one byte at a time.
I’m part of the first generation in my family to step onto a college campus. Growing up in a small rural community, my dreams felt huge but distant. With grit, support, and determination, I pursued higher education and emerged with a master’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University, one of the country’s most prestigious schools for this craft.
Journalism was my calling, a chance to change the world one story at a time. Yet, life, in its complexity, had other plans. My world turned swiftly from lead stories and in-depth investigations to a sequence of events that landed me in the burgeoning world of tech—a field I had never envisioned for myself.
My brief stint as a reporter was exhilarating, but the dynamism of the tech industry, with its rapid innovation and capacity for global impact, drew me in. The transition wasn’t simple. I grappled with imposter syndrome, doubting my own accomplishments, and questioning if my skills could be translated into the binary logic of public relations in the tech realm.
It was the art of storytelling, my passion for narratives I quickly discovered, was as valuable in technology as it was in journalism. Whether communicating complex ideas, shaping public perception, or simply just increasing awareness, the heart of tech, much like journalism, thrived on stories well told.
I turned to inspiring women who paved the way before me for guidance. I learned from them that being a “people person” was an asset in any field, especially in one often criticized for its lack of human connection.
Today, as a woman blending storytelling and technology, I feel empowered. My journey highlights the importance of diversity in tech and the power of a good story.
My adventure is neither solitary nor self-sustained. I am surrounded by the love and support of my family. With a partner who champions my goals and two sons who view their mother as a beacon of inspiration. To them, I am more than a mom; I am a testament that boundaries are meant to be surpassed, and ceilings are designed to be shattered.
To all career women and women in tech, remember your uniqueness drives innovation. Your path may not be conventional, but embrace the challenges as opportunities. Seek mentorship, build connections, and remember, progress is made together.
This Women’s History Month, I celebrate the collective achievements of women globally and the individual strength that each of you showcase. We are more than just participants in our fields—we are architects of innovation and custodians of change.
So, to all women out there, chart your path, share your story, and know your worth. The tech world, and indeed any sphere, becomes richer with your contributions.
Let’s keep inspiring, leading, and sharing our stories, not just this month, but every day. Your stories are the steppingstones for us all to climb higher. Keep shining bright!
Let’s continue to uplift and empower each other, building a community where every woman’s voice is heard and valued. Together, we can break barriers, shatter stereotypes, and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Here’s to strong women everywhere, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them up.
