WEST POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 1, 2010) -- uality Day Aug. 26, on the day, 90 years ago, when the 19th amendment of the constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote. The guest speaker was Anucha Browne Sanders, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Marketing at the University at Buffalo.
Browne Sanders was an excellent choice to speak at the event because she truly represents women, like the suffragettes, who faced difficult challenges and fought for respect in the workplace.
Browne Sanders said after working at IBM for five years, she was asked what she wanted to do. Her answer was to find her way back to sports. IBM supplies all the enabling technology for the Olympic Games. Browne Sanders began working as a program manager in IBM's Worldwide Sports Office, which eventually led her to her 'dream job' with the New York Knicks.
Browne Sanders had a stellar basketball career in high school and at Northwestern University. She was a three-time All Big Ten selection and two-time Big Ten Player of the Year for the Wildcats. She finished her basketball career as the school's all-time leader in points (2,307) and rebounds (951). She was selected as Northwestern's Athlete of the Decade for the 1980s and inducted into the Wildcats Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.
"My sport had so much to do with where I am today," Browne Sanders said. "(I learned) the importance of leadership and how important it is to learn how an organization works. I learned about playing a role on a team and doing what you have to do, whether as an athlete or as (a team member) in a corporation."
While working for the Knicks and Madison Square Garden, she endured sexual harassment and put up with it until she finally complained.
"When I did complain, I was fired and in a public way," she said. "At that point, there became (a need) for my Family to send in the wolves."
She did-she sued and she was victorious.
"At first, I thought it was all about me," she said. "But it was not just about me, it was about every working woman because (sexual harassment) just wasn't happening to me."
Browne Sanders spoke about the lessons she has learned and shares that with others whenever she can.
"Do your homework when applying for a job," she said. "I thought the Knicks would be a dream job, but I didn't do my research. I didn't interview them. When you step off into an opportunity, make sure you will be respected."
She also advised her audience to research the integrity of the organization. Another lesson she learned was not to put up with disrespect in a workplace.
"You will hear cursing," she said. "But everyone curses so a little tolerance is necessary, but know the boundaries. Always make sure you are carrying yourself properly. There should not be a double standard, one for yourself and one for others."
At the conclusion, Browne Sanders recommended that people should respect others in the workplace, not necessarily like the golden rule, but treat people the way they want to be treated.
"Workplaces are full of pettiness; it's important to communicate with each other and take the time to get to know each other," Browne Sanders said. "Get to know and understand your counterparts."
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