What it Takes to Be a Female Firebrand

I’m fortunate to be surrounded by successful women, including founders, CEOs, nonprofit and social impact leaders. When I started thinking about women I wanted to interview for my book, “Female Firebrands: Stories and Techniques to Ignite Change, Take Control, and Succeed in the Workplace,” I quickly jotted down 25 names before pausing to define what being a firebrand means to me. After deciding on 13 women to feature in the book, I created my own definition of firebrand; one that defined them, and the one that I aspire to myself. The dictionary definition of a firebrand is "someone who kindles mischief or inflames passions." The word drew me in because of its spark. Even if you don’t know the exact meaning, you can picture just the kind of woman it describes. Firebrands are successful in a way that goes far beyond professional or f