Video Transcript

What inspired me to work for the FBI is the reward I get from being a public servant and helping people. Throughout my 40 years with the FBI, I still love what I do and I’m energized by the women and men that are hired and that actually bring the organization to become a better place.

The obstacles I’ve had to deal with is being tested as a leader while holding the door of opportunities open so that others could follow. I was the fourth black person to be selected as the administrative officer and I was the first Muslim. That was a huge accomplishment for us.  And so my family was proud of me, my kids were very proud of me, my husband, and so was I because I thought it gave a purpose for why I’m here. And that is to continue to help others and to be a public servant  

My family and I understood the responsibility of becoming an administrative officer because it does have a lot of responsibility that goes along with it. However, we decided that it was very important as not only a role model to others but also to help the organization grow as a whole.

There’s no doubt that the FBI is steeped in culture and men; however, I will always believe that women belong in the organization and, more importantly, should have a seat at the same table that men do, not only as agents but professional staff, intel analysts, and in leadership. 

What’s stopping us? Absolutely nothing. Because without more women inside the organization, I feel that the culture can never change.  Gandhi once said you must be the change that you wish to see.  And for me, I embrace that, because I know that change cannot be made from outside; it has to be made from inside. And so that’s the reason why we need more women in the organization in order to help us grow and evolve to where we can be a better organization.