b'YOUR MEMBERSHIPMembership MattersMarch is known as Womens History Month, and what bettersomething larger than themselves and way for the Academy to celebrate women than by hearingwants to be loved and accepted for who from our own female member periodontists? Throughout thethey are. When those criteria are met, month of March, the AAPs Marketing & Communicationswe will watch the world change for good. team reached out to several female periodontists to ask them,-Jennette Bick, DDS, MSHow do you empower yourself and the women around you? The answers received were powerful and uplifting: Personal empowerment comes from identifying what it is that we want in life and then making constructive I empower myself by being surrounded by cheerleaders anddecisions to achieve those goals. As women, critics. While cheerleaders support me and provide me withwe must lift each other up and celebrate each positive reinforcement for growth, my critics playothers successes. A truly strong woman an equally important role in my successtheydoes not need to make others feel less challenge me and push me to the next level.important in order to elevate herself. We I use the same principle to empower otherhave an opportunity to empower the women women around mebe their cheerleader!around us by mentoring, encouraging their -Segal Thacker, DDS, MDSc ideas and input, and sharing positive feedback to develop future leaders. -Ana B. Giglio, DDSFor me, hearing success stories from other women who have faced adversity andFun fact: The American Academy of Periodontology was who have built a life for themselves thatfounded in 1914 by two women, Drs. Gillette Hayden and honors their talents and allows them toGrace Roger Spalding. It was initially named the American be of service is very empowering. WhenAcademy of Oral Prophylaxis and Periodontology and began I am able to share such stories, I like towith 18 charter members.take that opportunity to do so.-Mia L. Geisinger, DDS, MS Your membership matters, and we want to hear from you. Contact publicrelations@perio.org to provide your Grace. The most productive times of mycomments for the next issue of Periospectives. life have been as a member of a team in which there is acceptance by all, grace given for shortcomings, clear communication about the way forward and encouragement for the tasks ahead. Everyone wants to be a part ofAAP Periospectives| 25'