1st Edition
Soft Power for the Journey The Life of a STEM Trailblazer
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part 1. The Early Years
1. The Beginning
2. Junior High School
3. High School
Part 2. The College Years
4. Early College
5. The Upperclassman
Part 3. Graduate School
6. Stanford University
7. Rice University
Part 4. Blazing the Trail
8. A New Life in Westchester
9. Moving on Up
10. Rough Waters Ahead
Part 5. The Awakening
11. I Didn’t Know That
12. California and Texas
13. More Enlightenment—Why Are You Not a DE?
Part 6. The Move
14. Technology in Africa?
15. The Middle East and Africa
16. What’s Next?
Part 7. Amazing Opportunities
17. Entrepreneurship
18. Ups and Downs
Part 8. Keep Rising
19. New Opportunities
20. A New Life
Index
Biography
Sandra K. Johnson’s 26-year career at IBM included roles as Chief Technology Officer, Research Staff Member, WebSphere Database Development Manager, and Linux Performance Architect and Manager. Dr. Johnson was a member of the IBM Academy of Technology, an IBM Master Inventor with more than 45 pending and issued patents, author of over 80 technical publications and books, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. She is the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering.
From the Foreword:
“…this is a unique story of a woman’s journey from a fatherless child at the age of two, to a precocious child and a trailblazing student in her formative years through college, to a successful STEM professional and global technology leader, to a blissful life as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is now on the precipice of her purpose and destiny. Having been there from her years in advanced education, I have watched her blossom into a remarkable force to be reckoned with.
I strongly recommend anyone interested in pursuing a career in STEM, and/or anyone who needs inspiration or encouragement when faced with what may seem like insurmountable obstacles, to read her story. It will be medicinal for your spirit as you aspire to live on purpose in this life!"
Fayѐ A. Briggs, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO, Afristec International, Inc. & Niminq, Inc.
Intel Fellow Emeritus
“For anyone who harbors self-doubt possibly triggered by “imposter syndrome” or by being a “first and only” (what some describe as “Jackie Robinson syndrome”), this book can be directly and compassionately relatable and helpful to them. For anyone from the broader community and readership who may wish to understand better and more intimately what persons who experience either or both of the two aforementioned syndromes might at times face and have to deal with in their lives and careers, the book can effectively speak directly and informatively to them as well. And for all who aspire to attain success at the highest levels to fulfill their innate potential for accomplishment and achievement, no matter their past or current economic and/or social status, this book can motivate and be a north star for them in striving for and reaching their goals.”
Timothy M. Pinkston, Ph.D.
Professor and Vice Dean, USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University of Southern California
“This book is an inspiring tale of how to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.”
Calvin Lawrence
IBM CTO and author of bestselling book, Hidden in White Sight: How AI Empowers and Deepens Systemic Racism
