Ep 9. Simone Askew

Join Reese Witherspoon as she hosts another inspiring episode of Shine On. In this episode, Reese meets the impressive Simone Askew, the first African-American woman to serve as the Corps of Cadets Commander at West Point Military Academy.

With Reese, Simone opens up about her life's journey and how she climbed the ranks in the military. Despite her young age, Simone has achieved a lot in the field, breaking barriers and inspiring women everywhere. We learn from Simone's experience how she managed to beat the odds, especially as a minority woman in a predominantly white male profession.

Simone shares her life experiences with Reese, explaining how she grew up in Northern Virginia, however, her upbringing wasn't typical. Simone's father was in the military, and thus the family moved around a lot while he was serving. This caused Simone to spend parts of her childhood in different parts of the world, which exposed her to different cultures, broadening her perspective. Additionally, she shared how her family was very focused on civil service and giving back to their community, which inspired her to find a career path where she could do just that.

Simone has a deep love for history, and that led her to join the military, where she believed she could serve her country in the way she felt called to do. However, becoming a part of the West Point community wasn't easy for Simone. As a freshman, Simone faced pushback and even racism from her fellow cadets, but instead of giving in to it, she remained dedicated to her goals. Simone realized that the way to win the respect of her fellow cadets was through consistency and hard work. She learned to lead by example and become the best soldier she could.

During the interview, Simone talks about her experience at West Point and the challenges she faced while being a leader in both the battlefield and the classroom. She talks about the support she received from her family, as well as the professors who helped her work through her academic challenges.

Furthermore, Reese dives into the personal life of Simone and understands how she manages to lead a regiment while also balancing her personal life. Simone explains how she makes it a point to take care of herself, regularly exercises, and practices her mental hygiene to avoid becoming oversaturated and burnt out. Simone believes that taking care of herself also helps her take care of her cadets, which contributes to their success as well.

Simone is now a political science major with a focus on Middle Eastern affairs, and she shares how her studies and experiences have influenced her views on leadership, teamwork, and the importance of diversity and inclusion initiatives in the military.

Towards the end of the episode, Simone shares some personal moments that have shaped her journey and influenced her life choices. She reflects on her family and talks about how their values and her father's service in the military have inspired her to pursue her career. She also talks about the tragic loss of her mother and how that influenced her to become a source of inspiration for other people, especially women.

Shine On with Reese Season 1 Episode 9 with Simone Askew isn't just about her life story, but also about breaking barriers, self-care, and the art of leadership. Simone's grit and determination are felt in the episode, making it an inspiration for women everywhere, who want to reach higher and break the glass ceiling.