“Don’t make me come through the phone to shake you.” What a mentor told Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange when she expressed doubt if she was ready to be promoted to UW Vice President for Minority Affairs.

“We stand on the backs and shoulders of those who came before us. We are held steady with the support of those beside us. And we will be moved forward by those who come behind us.” Cynthia del Rosario, Director of Graduate Minority Recruitment, University of Washington.

“I am here by the grace of the Creator. I walk in humbleness and listen to what resonates in my heart.” Emma Medicine White Crow, Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Health Disparities.

“People talk a lot, but I’m looking at your walk.” Patrinell Wright, founder of the Total Experience Gospel Choir on leading by example.

“Come to the edge, he said. But they were afraid. Come to the edge, he said. But they were afraid. Come to the edge, he said. They did. He pushed them over … and they flew.” Jan Levy, Executive Director of Leadership Tomorrow.

“People have gone farther than they thought they could, because someone else thought they could.” Sylvia Cavazos, Strategic Asset Manager for Seattle Public Utilities.

Who’s lifting you up??

(For a complete list of the mentor honorees, go to www.nwasianweekly.com and click “Honorees’ eyes fixed on the future”.)