This Quote from Vanessa Williams Should Be Your Gameplan for Personal Growth

A simple roadmap to becoming your future self (The Secondhand Inspiration Project).

Photo by Brando Makes Branding on Unsplash

The Secondhand Inspiration Project begins with a motivational quote and ventures wherever the creative path meanders.

Vanessa Williams is an American actress, singer, and former beauty pageant titleholder who has significantly impacted the entertainment industry.

Williams became the first African-American woman to be crowned Miss America in 1983, a title she was forced to relinquish after nude photos of her were published without her consent. Despite the controversy, Williams crafted a successful career as a recording artist, with hits like “Save the Best for Last” and “Colors of the Wind” from the Disney film Pocahontas. She released several albums over the years, earning critical acclaim and commercial success.

Williams also appeared in numerous films and television shows, including “Desperate Housewives,” “Ugly Betty,” and “Soul Food.” She received multiple awards and nominations for her work, including a Tony nomination for her role in “Into the Woods” on Broadway. Beyond her success as an entertainer, Williams has also been a trailblazer and activist for social justice issues. She has been involved in various charities and organizations, including the Special Olympics and the National Child Labor Committee, and used her platform to raise awareness about issues like HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and racial inequality.

Overall, Vanessa Williams’ influence can be seen in her multifaceted career, advocacy for social justice, and status as a pioneering African-American woman in entertainment. Personally, I felt uber-motivated after recently reading a quote of hers -

“The wiser you get, the more experience you have, and the more you see people for who they are as human beings, as opposed to figures you have to fight against.”

Let’s break down this quote, evaluate the sum of its parts, and learn why it charts the upward trajectory we all should follow for personal growth.

“The wiser you get,”