As a woman running for public office, what legacy do you hope your candidacy leaves for the next generation of women and girls in our community?
I hope my legacy has nothing to do with winning an election and everything to do with expanding what women believe is possible. I want little girls and women in our community to know they do not have to wait for permission, the perfect timing, or someone to invite them to the table. Sometimes you build your own.
I want them to remember that leadership is not about titles. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and standing up for people even when no one is watching. If my candidacy changes anything, I hope it changes the belief that women, especially women who have been overlooked, underestimated, or told they don’t belong, can lead with strength, compassion, and conviction.
If one young girl grows up believing her voice matters because she saw someone who looked like her refuse to be silent, then this campaign will have accomplished something far bigger than politics.
What do you hope another woman or young girl sees in you that gives her the courage to believe, “If she can do it, so can I”?
I hope she sees someone who wasn’t handed opportunities but created them. Someone who has faced rejection, criticism, disappointment, and closed doors, but kept walking anyway. I want her to understand that confidence doesn’t come before the journey. It comes because you survive it.
I hope she sees that you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to make the biggest impact. You don’t have to come from privilege to create change. You don’t have to be fearless to lead. You just have to care enough about your community to keep showing up.
If she ever looks at me and thinks, “If she can do it, so can I,” I hope she’s not talking about running for office. I hope she’s talking about believing in herself, refusing to give up, and realizing that her purpose is bigger than her fear. That’s the kind of legacy worth leaving.
Website: www.tawondaburks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tawondaburks01
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawondaburks/
Rochester Women Magazine Statement
Rochester Women Magazine is committed to elevating the voices of individuals in our community. This candidate spotlight is part of our effort to inform and engage readers by introducing candidates seeking elected office in Rochester and Olmsted County.
Rochester Women Magazine does not endorse or oppose any candidate. These features are intended solely to provide voters with an opportunity to learn more about the individuals who have chosen to serve their communities through public office.