Lillian Lincoln Lambert
Introduction
When I arrived at the Harvard Business School, (actually I arrived at Radcliffe College graduate dormitory because women were not allowed to live in the accommodations at the Business School), my first thought was "Why am I here!" I had been assured that Harvard was the top business school in the world for training managers so I wanted to go there. I did not know women were not allowed to attend until 1963and no African American women had attended. With my arrival a few years later, even then the school was not totally ready to embrace the presence of women, because dormitories were still designed to house men only. Hence, the need to have female students live at Radcliffe, requiring us to walk a half mile to classes. This was the beginning of another interesting journey in my life.
My Background
Born on a farm in the segregated South, at the age of 18 - fresh out of high school, I journeyed to New York City and Washington, DC to seek my fortune. After four years of floundering and enduring menial jobs as a maid and typist, I realized that I needed an education.
At the age of 22, I enrolled in Howard University. With the help of loans, scholarships and part-time jobs I obtained a BA degree in business administration. A professor there became my mentor and convinced me that I was Harvard material. In 1969, an era of the civil rights and burgeoning women's rights movements, I achieved the historical milestone as the first African American woman to receive a Harvard MBA.
My Experience
I became an entrepreneur after graduation and over a 25-year period built the company into a $20 million enterprise with more than 1,200 employees. After selling the company I started two other ventures before beginning my career as speaker, author and coach. My background plus varied experiences have given me great insights into what it takes to come from incredibly challenging circumstances to achieve a successful personal and professional life. My mission now is to serve as an inspiration to others just as so many inspired me as they pushed me further than I thought I could go.
My programs are centered on the power of persistence, resilience, courage and morality in surmounting hurdles that prevent people from reaching their full potential. Understanding the power of storytelling, I inspire audiences to dream big, act bold and pave their own paths. Participants learn how to use obstacles and barriers as stepping stones to higher levels of achievement and success. As a certified coach, using the combination of my theoretical knowledge and business experience,I help businesses go beyond their preconceived limitations and achieve their goals.
I authored my memoir: The Road to Someplace Better: From the Segregated South to Harvard Business School and Beyond. Itchronicles my journey in greater detail. I also co-authored Sister to Sister: A Guide for African American Girls.
Introduction
When I arrived at the Harvard Business School, (actually I arrived at Radcliffe College graduate dormitory because women were not allowed to live in the accommodations at the Business School), my first thought was "Why am I here!" I had been assured that Harvard was the top business school in the world for training managers so I wanted to go there. I did not know women were not allowed to attend until 1963and no African American women had attended. With my arrival a few years later, even then the school was not totally ready to embrace the presence of women, because dormitories were still designed to house men only. Hence, the need to have female students live at Radcliffe, requiring us to walk a half mile to classes. This was the beginning of another interesting journey in my life.
My Background
Born on a farm in the segregated South, at the age of 18 - fresh out of high school, I journeyed to New York City and Washington, DC to seek my fortune. After four years of floundering and enduring menial jobs as a maid and typist, I realized that I needed an education.
At the age of 22, I enrolled in Howard University. With the help of loans, scholarships and part-time jobs I obtained a BA degree in business administration. A professor there became my mentor and convinced me that I was Harvard material. In 1969, an era of the civil rights and burgeoning women's rights movements, I achieved the historical milestone as the first African American woman to receive a Harvard MBA.
My Experience
I became an entrepreneur after graduation and over a 25-year period built the company into a $20 million enterprise with more than 1,200 employees. After selling the company I started two other ventures before beginning my career as speaker, author and coach. My background plus varied experiences have given me great insights into what it takes to come from incredibly challenging circumstances to achieve a successful personal and professional life. My mission now is to serve as an inspiration to others just as so many inspired me as they pushed me further than I thought I could go.
My programs are centered on the power of persistence, resilience, courage and morality in surmounting hurdles that prevent people from reaching their full potential. Understanding the power of storytelling, I inspire audiences to dream big, act bold and pave their own paths. Participants learn how to use obstacles and barriers as stepping stones to higher levels of achievement and success. As a certified coach, using the combination of my theoretical knowledge and business experience,I help businesses go beyond their preconceived limitations and achieve their goals.
I authored my memoir: The Road to Someplace Better: From the Segregated South to Harvard Business School and Beyond. Itchronicles my journey in greater detail. I also co-authored Sister to Sister: A Guide for African American Girls.
