Cathy O’Donnell is an attorney and firm business manager at O’Donnell Law Offices, where she leads the firm in the areas of estate planning and administration, orphans court, and elder law. She is a strong advocate for the community of Northeastern Pennsylvania, volunteering on the boards for Dress For Success Luzerne County, the Luzerne County Bar Charitable Foundation, the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, the United Way of Wyoming Valley, Luzerne County Community College, The Sidney and Pauline Friedman Jewish Community Center and several other local nonprofit organizations.

What does “Woman In Power” mean to you?

A woman in power is a woman who knows the importance of not only herself, but of others.

What would you tell a woman who is feeling powerless/experiencing powerlessness as a result of inequity?

The feeling of helplessness and inequality is experienced by all of us, and it is important to remember this. However, knowing that does not make it any easier. Information is the only way to start to work forward. Where can I get help? Then start the process of asking and don’t stop. It is not easy, but it is the only path I know to move forward.

Who were your female mentors in your career, and how would you suggest growing leaders identify possible mentors for their growth?

My mother and my mother-in-law were my first and truest mentors. They both were caring and selfless. In my career, it was often my husband who helped to give us the balance and the time to learn and improve my craft while maintaining the importance of family. If you encounter someone you hope will act as your mentor—schedule lunch with them and ask. It is always an honor to act as a mentor/friend.

What barriers have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?

As with most women, I have experienced that walk into the room where you are the only woman and that uncomfortable glance from the rest of the room. Unfortunately, that can sometimes be accompanied with inappropriate or demeaning comments. I feel it puts me in an incredibly vulnerable predicament. If I respond and point out this inappropriate comment, somehow, I am judged as being too shrill or harsh, but if I say nothing, then it validates that behavior. I usually try to respond in a substantive way and end with a response indicating it’s 2023 and their comments sound more like 1950.

What message do you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?

The best part about being a woman now is everything should be available for women without judgment! Apply for internships, volunteer, ask to shadow someone for a day or so, and take a class at the Community College to see if that subject is for you. Follow your heart and ask a lot of questions.

About Dress for Success
Dress for Success ® is an international not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to nearly 150 cities in 30 countries. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 2,000,000 women work towards self-sufficiency.

Since Dress for Success Luzerne County became operational in December of 2010, the program has reached 2,500 economically challenged women from the area by providing clothing, job interview support and workforce guidance. Dress for Success Luzerne County continues to create programs to enhance economic and social development, encouraging self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention.

To learn more about Dress for Success Luzerne County and the Women in Power campaign, please visit their website or on Facebook.