GRIT AND SELF-EMPOWERMENT ARE THE BEDROCKS OF LINDA SMITH’S JOURNEY.

Linda, one of the top five female litigators in the United States was dubbed “The Meanest Woman Alive” because she was a shark in the courtroom and never took no for an answer. Bravely, her story embodies the hard work and determination necessary for success, specifically the success of women, in the professional world that staggeringly male-dominated.

First, her story begins with growing up in a family of girls (shout out to families of all girls!). Secondly, Linda’s parents taught her she could accomplish anything she desired. She says one of the best gifts her parents ever gave her was never allowing gender to be part of the conversation or equation when talking about potential success. Finally, this strong sense of confidence, along with true grit, shaped Linda into one hell of a powerful woman.

Developing True Grit.

As a foreign exchange student in Peru, Linda learned her toughest and most transformational life lessons. At just, 16 years old, she experienced extreme anti-Semitism. This nightmare was at the hands of her exchange teacher, a Catholic nun. During that trying period, Linda learned how utterly demoralizing it is to be powerless and she vowed to never be in that position again. Impressively, the grit and strength Linda had been raised with helped her not only survive but continue to thrive during one of her most stressful life experiences.

Giving Voice To The Voiceless.

As Linda’s career as a corporate lawyer began to soar to new heights. Due to this success, she was able to take on pro-bono cases that she cared deeply about. Linda started representing Holocaust survivors, immigrants, and pretty much anyone in need. Proudly, her pro-bono work really became the pinnacle of her career. While trying cases at both the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court level, Linda defended illegal parents of U.S. citizen children and fought for equal voting rights for people of color, the poor, and the elderly. With extreme joy, Linda served as a voice for the voiceless and this, she says, is her greatest accomplishment.

Becoming The “Meanest Woman Alive!”

Linda embraces (ok, she downright loves) her title of The Meanest Woman Alive. While it stems from her tough-as-nails attitude in the courtroom, the name truly implies that she demands respect from those around her. Linda’s book, Smashing Glass and Kicking Ass: Lessons from the Meanest Woman Alive, is no exception. It is a playbook that teaches women to capitalize on their unique feminine advantages. Those advantages include leadership skills and emotional intelligence. Thanks to her unique perspective and wisdom, Linda is able to encourage women. That encouragement helps women take their rightful place in the world of business leadership.

Learn More About Linda:

To learn more, we encourage you to check out Linda's website. She also loved to connect so feel free to reach out via social media: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Suggested Reading: