Ronnie Podolefsky, the First Lady of Buffalo State, told students about the adrenaline rush
that runs rapid through her body when she speaks out in favor of important issues that call
for attention.
Her gift of gab and leadership skills allowed her to become a mediator, a prominent civil
rights activist and an attorney.
Students and faculty welcomed Podolefsky to the E.H Butler Library last Tuesday where
she defined the crucial ingredients needed to become a successful leader.
She started her speech by addressing the vitality of self-confidence and having respect for
not only ourselves, but also for one another.
“It is important to not be a bystander,” Podolefsky said, “Recognize the adrenaline inside
you when speaking up about an issue.”
Podolefsky said would-be leaders must challenge themselves every day and discontinue
stereotypes about other cultures, races and religion. She urged students to study or live
in other countries for a semester or a year in order to experience and appreciate other
cultures, one of her and college president Aaron Podolefsky’s biggest accomplishments.
The Podolefskys lived in Papua New Guinea, a country located in the southwestern
Pacific Ocean, for some time with their son when he was one. Ronnie Podolefsky left after
seven months due to tropical ulcers, but Aaron Podolefsky remained. Ronnie Podolefsky
described her stay in Papua New Guinea as a “humbling experience.”
“I have never lived out of the country… To be a leader you must learn more about other
countries and yourself,” Podolefsky said. “Returning back to the United States was harder
than living in Papua New Guinea.”
In addition to traveling, Podolefsky said she believes that in order to have power, people
must first recognize what they need in order to gain respect from others.
With this belief, Podolefsky said she decided to become a lawyer. She said she enjoyed this
profession because it allowed her to promote justice and equality through the law, and
most importantly, she enjoyed “being there with someone to help them find who they are.”
Students and faculty were moved and encouraged by Podolefsky’s motivating words.
“Mrs. Podolefsky is an intelligent, cultured and courageous woman who unapologetically
fights for what she believes is right,” said student Brittany Kirkley. “These attributes make
her an ideal leader because she is ambitious and doesn’t give up.”
“I thought what she had to say was inspiring, especially her encouragement to take more
risks and get outside your comfort zone,” said Eileen Merberg, retention and leadership
specialist with the Campus Life Office.
While closing her speech and leaving time for questions and answers, Podolefsky left
students with an inspirational quote about confidence and public speaking.
“It is important that when you speak, you have one foot in discomfort,” she said.
Sade McKenzie can be reached by email at mckenzie.record@live.com.