When I reflect over my own roadblocks to success, including an extensive learning disability and a severe speech impediment resulting in my inability to speak before the age of five, I am quickly and humbly reminded of how essential it is to have champions of success to help inspire us toward our own successes in life. I was very fortunate to have many champions in my life, including loving and wise parents, my God-fearing husband and caring professors, all who supported my numerous success endeavors and empowered me to fervently strive to achieve my full potential.

With this support, I journeyed ahead and graduated with High Honors and as “Electrical Engineering Student of the Year” from Tuskegee University, became the first African-American to receive a Master of Science in Engineering Management and Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute, and received my Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Additionally, I have had a twenty-plus year career as a top-performing and award-winning corporate professional.

But it is important to understand that I don’t say this to boast, but to celebrate the fact that if success was achievable for me, then it is conceivable for others who are also facing challenges in their journey. And knowing the importance first-hand of having success warriors who can assist you in your own personal and professional success journey, I was more than inspired to write Dear Success Seeker: Wisdom from Outstanding Women. The book features inspiring and invaluable advice from 85 women for success seekers from all kinds of backgrounds and talents who are striving to achieve optimal career and life success.

The women in this book represent a wealth of life experiences and a multitude of talents. As Gayle King profoundly states, “Be prepared when opportunity presents itself.” I am confident that the words of wisdom and passionate spirit the outstanding women achievers in Dear Success Seeker have shared will not only prepare readers to maximize their opportunities, but will undoubtedly equip them for achieving success in all aspects of life.

Enjoy Dear Success Seeker and savor every priceless word of wisdom; then certainly you will be equipped with the necessary tools to be successful, and one day go out and inspire the lives of others.

In the Spirit of Success,
Michele R. Wright