Moment of Truth:
Memorandum of Understanding

The reasons had become clear as to why we, as well as so many African-Americans and Hispanics, were there. It was a proud moment in history and an honor to witness what was about to become a major step for something that has been long overdue. As Dr. Jensen spoke, the room illuminated with feelings of pride for progress and hope. It was a "Memorandum of Understanding" that would reshape the way the auto industry does business and we hope, set an example, as well as a new standard to other industries, that minority-owned businesses are an integral part of America's commerce representing a more accurate reflection of our unique and diverse nation.

At the end of the day, when all was said and done, we came to realize that this "Memorandum of Understanding" was intended for minority-owned suppliers, not women-owned businesses after all, unless they were a supplier. Nonetheless, it was an important and significant step in the right direction. It was progress toward a higher goal of gender and minority equity in an industry that has previously been rife with sexism and prejudice, better known as the "ol' boys club."

After further investigation and research upon my return home, I learned from a reliable source who was instrumental in orchestrating the bill signing between the Big Three and the Small Business Administration (and asked to remain anonymous), that our visit to the White House was engineered at the eleventh hour (which would explain the short notice) so that we could witness this history-making event.  While the reasons for our visit may have been inadvertently miscommunicated, there are no regrets in making the journey. In fact, there really are no mistakes in life; everything has a purpose. In what has become an experience of a lifetime, seven women witnessed the birth of an event that will forever reroute the highway to history in the automobile industry for women and minority business owners. You might say it's the fork in the road we've all been waiting for in a slow speed chase.

This $3 billion olive branch offered by the domestic automakers to minority suppliers is the first step in many to come. It represents the beginning of a new journey, one that will continue to recognize and expand opportunities in other auto-related fields for women and minority-owned businesses. It is a clear and open intent to evolve our industry into one that reflects a more balanced perspective of politics and power.

While some may view this as only a baby step, we say baby steps are far better than no steps, or even worse, one step forward, two steps back. A thousand-mile journey begins with the first step. And so, one destination reached, another journey begins.

As I sat on the return flight home the next morning, I questioned whether all the rushing around and mystery was worth the trip. Having quelled my feelings of ambiguity from the day before as to why we were there, my reply was simple, "yes it was." This trip was a perfect reminder that in life it is the journey that is often the most exciting and should be savored every step of the way. Enjoying the journey is what makes the destination worth the challenge, adding greater value to the appreciation of success when it is achieved.

RTM has been on its own journey for the past 10 years to help raise awareness of the women's market as a formidable and influential power, to improve and advance opportunities for working women, and to provide women with the recognition they deserve for outstanding accomplishments. As of February 19, 1998, the journey had become worthy of the destination. What a trip!