"I had very supportive parents that made the way for me, even at a time when there were very few women - no women, really; maybe two or three women - and very few, fewer than that, African-American women heading in this direction, so there were very few people to look up to. You just had to have faith"

In this quote, Leah Ward Sears assesses her childhood and the obstacles she dealt with as a woman and an African-American in a male-dominated field. She acknowledges the role her parents played in supporting her and leading the way for her success, despite the lack of representation and good example for ladies and African-Americans in her selected course. Sears highlights the significance of having faith in oneself and pushing through despite the chances. Her words serve as a suggestion of the power of decision and resilience in the face of misfortune.