Women's HERstory Month at MO State

Award-winning speaker Tish Norman was invited to give a keynote address at Missouri State University in Springfield Missouri.

Award winning speaker Tish Norman was invited to give a keynote address Friday for Women’s HERstory month to discuss her insight on how to become an outstanding woman, become successful, and tips on networking. During the speech, she repeated the same phrase several times, “keep moving onward and upward,” which was one main thing that could be taken from the address.

Norman used four main questions in order to guide the address; who am I, what do I want, what is my purpose, and what am I grateful for. In answering the first question, she told about her experience at an audition to be a background dancer for singer Monica. She described what made her go out for the audition, saying that she wanted to be a background dancer for Janet Jackson. While at the audition, she felt confident until her ponytail unraveled and she was embarrassed and left the audition. Her point of the story was to show an example of what she described as a chicken mentality, saying that some people are chickens, but you only succeed if you are an eagle. Eagles, according to Norman, are focused and they “shoot for excellence.”

Norman, in talking about networking, made a point saying that “it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.” she said to get to know your professors and be sure that they know who you are. She said that it is not enough to know who people are, but to make an impression on them, so that they do not forget who you are. When speaking of finding a purpose, she said to find what you love and what you are good at. Her style of speech was more like a conversation than a lecture because she made sure to engage the audience while telling her stories and giving advice.

According to Rachel Frisch, the director of social awareness for the Panhellenic Association, Norman was chosen because of her connection with Yvania Garcia-Pusateri, executive director of Multicultural Programs. Garcia-Pusateri recommended Norman to speak and because she has achievements in speaking, they felt she was the best choice. Norman is a career consultant and founder of Transforming Leaders Now. She has also written books including Leading the Way and From Mediocre to Magnificent.

Tish Norman has been a keynote speaker and career consultant since 2008. She is working toward her Doctorate of Philosophy in Pan-African studies. This event was co-sponsored by the Panhellenic Council and Multicultural Programs.

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