“I wanted to write a book about women in leadership because I had worked with some amazing woman leaders, and I believed they had much wisdom to share with those on the way up, things that could shorten the learning curve for anyone astute enough to be open to the advice and insight from women who’d reached the top,” Mapes said. “But I also wanted women to understand that they could be a leader right where they were. They didn't have to be a corporate leader.”
Mapes interviewed top leaders from a variety of fields--corporate, second generation small business, education, government, entrepreneurial, faith-based, association, and non-profit--and chose 12 for her book. She also profiled four women referred to as “leaders next door.” They all have something in common; their paths to success have been uncommon.
As a student at WMU, Mapes worked as a switchboard operator in Ernest Burnham Hall while studying speech. Not her intended major, Mapes decided on speech after a humiliating experience as a finalist in the Miss Michigan Pageant.
“In front of a live audience of over 2,000 people and a television audience of over one million, I felt like I’d made a fool of myself,” Mapes said about rambling through the question portion of the competition. “When I finally stopped talking and turned to go back to my chair, I heard a low groan from the audience. They knew I was not going to become Miss Michigan – and I didn’t. Though I didn’t go home with the crown, I did go home with the deepest sense of public humiliation I’d ever experienced.”
Through her courses at WMU, Mapes learned that she was in fact a talented public speaker and began focusing on broadcasting classes.
“WMU provided me with an excellent education,” Mapes said. “I had some amazing professors, many of whom seemed to care personally for me. People like Eleanor Walton who was so masterful at teaching oral interpretation, Jules Rossman who was such an encourager, able to see the value in each of his students, and Dr. Robert L Smith, a director extraordinaire, all had such a positive influence on me as a young woman. And for those and so many others, I have been forever grateful.”
Within her first year at Western, her fear of public speaking dissipated and Mapes even worked at a small radio station in Whitehall, Michigan after her freshman year, spinning records and reading the news as “MJ, Your Private DJ.”
Upon returning to campus for her sophomore year, Mapes, armed with her sample reel, went to the campus radio station and was told she could type program logs or write copy. Wanting to be on the radio, Mapes went to see the faculty advisor for the station and was again told no.
“Our conversation was very brief. He simply said, ‘No, Mary Jane. You cannot be on the radio.’ When I asked why, he said, ‘I just don't believe the public is ready for a female voice on the radio.’
While she didn’t make it on the campus radio, she did make it to the campus stage. She was involved with the Readers Theatre and even starred in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” her senior year at the urging of Dr. Robert L. Smith. As a keynote speaker, she draws from these experiences to weave storytelling through her presentations.
Mapes may have not ended up with a career in radio, but much like the women profiled in “Unstoppables,” she forged her own uncommon path. After teaching for three years, Mapes took time off to raise her two children. When her youngest went to kindergarten, she went back to work as a high school teacher.
“That just wasn't something I wanted to do,” she said.
It was then that Mapes decided to start her own business teaching communication classes to corporations. The business eventually expanded to include public speaking, coaching, and consulting.
“It wasn't easy getting started, not really knowing what I was doing,” Mapes recalled. “But when you feel there is no other hand, it is amazing what you can accomplish.”
Mapes gives much credit to her faith and to her family for her personal and professional success.
“I could not have overcome the obstacles and challenges I have faced in my long career, nor would I have had the courage to step out and do something that very few women were doing at the time—something that has been my passion for many, many years. I absolutely love my work and feel blessed to get up every day and have the privilege to do it.”
Her advice for current students is simple, “Find your jazz,” she says. “Follow your passion, align with your personal values, commit to excellence in everything, be continuously improving, and remember that it is in your contribution to society that you will find your greatest joy.”
Mary Jane Mapes will be at Heritage Hall on Thursday, June 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. for a book signing. Pre-registration is required, please contact Amy Susan at amy.susan@pcipromo.com or (269) 488-2983 for more details and to register.
To learn more about Mapes and her books, visit Maryjanemapes.com.