October 11, 2018

Wait Just a Minute: Time's Up Leader Tina Tchen

Our web series, Wait Just a Minute, asks experts to answer complex questions about global affairs in 60 seconds. In this episode, Time's Up leader and former Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama, Tina Tchen, shares her favorite thing about working with the former First Lady, the challenges of building Time's Up, and advice for young women starting their careers.

Wait Just a Minute: Tina Tchen


Best thing about working with Michelle Obama?

So, it's hard to isolate one thing that I enjoyed the most about working with Mrs. Obama, but I think, you know, we had a great team. I think the thing that both of us treasure from our time in the White House, and also on the campaigns, was the spirit of a team that came together to support a cause.

Biggest challenge in building Time's Up?

I think the biggest challenge in building Time's Up has just been to keep up with the momentum. I think we were all surprised by the outpouring of support, and, quite frankly, the outpouring of people needing help. So, just keeping up with that over the course of the last year has been a challenge. 

When do you think women will "get there"?

This is a longtime struggle, when I talk about women's rights I often say, you know, gender discrimination is something that has been with us for a millennia. It has transcended time, and religion, and culture, geography, age... it has been with us since the beginning of time, so it's going to take a while to overcome.

Advice for young women starting their careers?

The most important thing is to believe in yourself, believe in your own capabilities, believe in your voice, and then use it.

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