Someone said that true gratitude is inarticulate so please bear with me here.
Thank you to the Women's Infrastructure Network, there are many emerging leaders here, as is evidenced by the lists of accomplishments of my fellow nominees. I'm honored to be among you. I am grateful for the opportunity to stand up here and thank people that I care about. Thank you to the Awards committee and all the amazing steering committee members who put this event on across the country you've done an amazing job. Thank you to my fellow talented, smart and strong nominees it is through leaders like you that things change and equality becomes a reality. Thanks for all you do to lead us into into a new chapter of women in infrastructure.
Thank you to MarieLlesse Marc and Kristi Ball for nominating me and reminding me who I am during one of the toughest times in my life. For this gift I will be forever grateful, and all the thank you’s in the world would not be enough to acknowledge your role my recovery. Thank you to Cheryl Neims and Doug Glaser for your letters of support in this nomination. Cheryl, I'm so happy to have met you and call you a friend you are an amazing leader yourself. Doug, I appreciate being able to work closely on exciting projects with amazing leaders like you and others, and having your example and support to guide me.
I'd like to thank the mentors, sponsors and colleagues I've worked with throughout the years at Kiewit, and at other organizations. It hasn't always been easy, and I have learned a lot along the way. It is through their candid conversations, their teaching, and their belief in me I was able to navigate the winding road of my career thus far. To my parents, Patty and Charlie, I grew up feeling like the world was my oyster, and as long as I worked hard there would be no limits to what I could do. Although that wasn't entirely true, it allowed me to learn, grow and forge the skills I needed without the noise. Thank you to my siblings, my life would not be nearly as full without you in it and I am blessed to receive the rainbow of your presence in my life. Thank you to my wonderful network of friends all across the continent the world is a better place with you in it, and I am inspired every day by how amazing you all are.
And most importantly, thank you to my husband, Michael without you by my side I would never be strong enough for the challenges, nor have as much fun and love in my life. I love you so much, almost as much as our dog.
But in all seriousness, I would like to quote Susan B. Anthony who led the women's suffrage movement in the US. "The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race.” It is through awards like this, and people like all of you out there watching, that this vision continues to become a reality, lets keep moving forward. Thank you so very much.
— Tricia Curmi, 2015 Emerging Leader winner