By Thea Lange, BA
Each year, APHA is overwhelming. Between oral presentations, poster sessions, film screenings, and the Expo, I always feel pulled in a thousand different directions. The hectic nature of the conference and relentless networking quickly drain my energy and it can be difficult to stay motivated through the long weekend. Usually the most inspiring and motivational aspect of APHA is finding outspoken, successful women who I can look to for guidance. This year, I found Dr. Linda Rae Murray.
I first heard Dr. Murray speak at the Maternal and Child Health Legacy panel. During this session, Dr. Murray highlighted three areas for personal improvement that resonated with me.
First, recognize the difference between your job and your purpose in life. Dr. Murray acknowledges that people often have to work for a paycheck. This may result in having a job that feels meaningless. But having a nine-to-five job does not preclude us from being active participants in our communities and supporters of social change. Volunteering outside of work may be exhausting, but it is also rewarding.
Second, Dr. Murray reminds us to detach our passion from our accomplishments. It is easy to become driven by the pursuit of success and lose sight of our personal mission. There is nothing wrong with taking pride in our accomplishments, but it is more important to prioritize our passion. Success will come and go, but passion will motivate us even when we are not recognized for our work.
And finally, Dr. Murray stresses the importance of asking hard questions. In the United States, people tend to shy away from discomfort. But this tendency has stagnated us as a first world country. In order to resolve complex issues, we need to start asking complex and difficult questions, and we need to be ready to listen to the answers.
Dr. Linda Rae Murray is the outspoken public health advocate I have been missing in my life. I am truly grateful and honored that I was able to hear her speak and absorb her advice.
Thea Lange is a first-year MPH student, concentrating in Maternal and Child Health. She received a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Mount Holyoke College and continues to integrate her undergraduate background into her public health work. Her interests include HIV/AIDS, highly vulnerable children, and correctional health.
