Welcome to Women in Politics: College Edition, where promising women leaders in student government on college and university campuses across the country will be featured on msnbc.com. Tatiana Kaehler has been nominated to represent the Whitman College as a leader making a difference not only through key issues on campus, but in bridging the gender gap in politics.
As part of msnbc’s “Women in Politics” series, these hand-selected women become part of a larger discussion of women candidates and women’s issues on a national level. “Women in Politics” features newsmaker interviews, profiles, photos, and deep dives into the key conversations.
Name: Tatiana Kaehler
School: Whitman College
Hometown: Bellevue, Washington
Concentration: Health Science, Policy and Culture
Role in Student Government: Student Body President
Dream job: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Class year: 2015
***
What is your biggest challenge as a leader on campus?
My biggest challenge as a female leader on campus has been overcoming gender stereotypes about what it means to be a woman and a leader. Growing up, girls are often taught that they are, or should be, sensitive, nurturing, and soft-spoken. Many of these “feminine” qualities are the opposite of what we imagine a leader to possess. These restrictive descriptors prevent both women and men from using their unique qualities and talents to become effective leaders. Through working with strong female leaders from student government, academia, and the business world, I have learned that there is no singular way to define femininity or female leadership. Initially, I spent a good portion of my college career attempting to mold myself based on stereotypes of women and leadership. Abandoning the idea that I had to conform to these narrow conventions enabled me to adopt a leadership style that fits me.
Which female leaders do you draw inspiration from?
I am lucky that I have not had to look far to find inspirational women. Although the female leaders in the news have inspired me to imagine myself in positions in which I could enact positive change, no one has had a greater impact on my success than the women in my own life. At an early age, my grandmother told me about how she was the first girl in her small town in Quebec to wear blue jeans. Decades later, my mother participated in her high school’s first women’s soccer team. Women like them taught me that even seemingly small gestures can pave the way for future generations of women. Later in their lives, my grandmother became a vice president at a bank and my mother became a gun control advocate: their stories emboldened me to take on leadership roles. At Whitman College, my biology professor and advisor, Dr. Leena Knight, has inspired me to be confident and challenge the status quo. Leann Adams, the Director of Student Activities and student government advisor, has shown me how to successfully manage an organization, while demonstrating compassion and listening to others.








