Follow up on all of this by asking what do your colleagues think? Then, go a step further. After reflecting on your own, have some close friends and colleagues take the same audit on your behalf, imagining you in the boardroom. How do their impressions of you compare with your own?

The advice that I have for women who want to rise in their careers or start their own entrepreneurial venture is to think big. Believe in yourself and believe that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Don’t be limited by other people or yourself. Be the hardest working person in the room.

Corporate board seats are scarce and competition is fierce. But you don’t have to sit passively just wishing and hoping. There are actions you can take. In fact, the “right” initiatives can immeasurably increase your odds of landing a seat.

Listen to your heart. Ms. Paley felt stifled by conventional teaching methods. But instead of quitting, she used her deep-seated talents to bring innovation and new techniques into teaching.

Many Boomers may remember Dana Carvey’s impersonations of Mr. Perot on “Saturday Night Live” or his somewhat quirky interviews with Larry King in the 1990’s. But here’s what I know for sure: This man was no quitter.

Life can be tiring and challenging, especially as a woman, but don’t let that stop you from being a well-rounded leader. In my opinion, a respected leader is always involved and inspires others to do the same.

Today, on LinkedIn, Northcutt describes herself as “One time rocket scientist, sometime lawyer, full time women’s rights activist.”