Meg Whitman speaks to 800 at San Diego business awards
October 28, 2009
SAN DIEGO — There’s one quality that businesswomen in San Diego say matters most when it comes to electing their next governor.
It’s the one quality they say is too often forgotten when leaders rise to the top: integrity — the ability to stay true to oneself and do what’s right.
In Meg Whitman, they found what they’re looking for. A refreshing change from politics as usual. And a woman who has achieved success, but only by remaining her authentic self.
Meg was the keynote speaker on Oct. 27 before a crowd of more than 800 women — and a few men — at the San Diego Business Journal’s annual “Women Who Mean Business” lunch and awards ceremony. Meg was also honored with an award at the event.
Meg offered the crowd a glimpse into her personal life, her background and her family. She told stories about her mother — an intrepid spirit and woman of action who instilled in Meg the importance of integrity, conviction and hard work — values Meg lives by today.
"What Meg said today inspired me never to give up, to never compromise my values,” said Maureen Sullivan, a San Diego resident and president and publisher of San Diego Magazine. “No matter what the task is at hand, you can do it — it just takes courage and determination."
Meg spoke of how those values helped her stay true to who she is, especially as she worked to climb to the top of the business world.
“The women in this room are leaders. We’re wired the same way,” Meg said. “We’re tenacious. The word ‘failure’ doesn’t work for us. We don’t walk away from challenges — we welcome them, especially when they give profound meaning to our lives and the lives of others.”
This is why Meg said she’s running for governor of California, why she is stepping up to the plate for a job that nobody should want.
“I care deeply about this state, and I refuse to accept that California cannot be better than it is today,” she said.
Celeste Blodgett, an El Cajon resident who works for an anti-virus software company, said she was inspired by Meg’s message and appreciates hearing about Meg’s upbringing and background. She feels more confident with a gubernatorial candidate who shows such strong character and morals.
“I think she speaks for women and empowers women,” Blodgett said. “And I was impressed mostly by the word she used — integrity. It’s something I think our world is lacking, so women with high integrity — they’re the kind to emulate.”
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