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SBU | Life

Be a Beth March

Rebecca Schneider Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.


It is hard enough to be a woman in the workplace but it is even harder to be a quiet woman in a workplace. 

My entire life I have been told I’m “too quiet” or “too shy”, which some people see as a weakness, and honestly my shyness has led people to say that I seem rude, which obviously is not how someone wants to be perceived. Now, I am very conscious about my actions and demeanor when I’m meeting new people, and I don’t want to make a bad first impression. 

Being the quiet and shy person in the room means you are not constantly answering questions or making your opinions known. That doesn’t mean my opinions are any less important, but I get them across differently. I’m a writer. I can express myself through words on paper better than verbal communication. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. I do not talk much, but I can write, and maybe the person who talks more doesn’t have the best writing skills. Together we can pull on our strengths and make something happen. 

I have accepted that it is okay to be the quietest person in the room. That it does not make you any less ambitious. Maybe I do not make my dreams known to everyone, but that does not mean that I do not have them. 

My favorite game to play is “Which March sister are you?” 

And although I cannot play the piano, I am still a Beth March. 

I truly embrace that I am Beth. I am not a leading woman, but that does not mean I am any less powerful. I have always loved the slower and more gentle approach to life. I like to base my work and morals on empathy for others. My gentleness and quietness connects me to Beth.

I love that I am a Beth. Most people strive to be like Jo because she is strong and outgoing, and that is just as important. But for every Jo there needs to be a Beth. Every March sister is strong and passionate in their own way which is why everyone can relate to at least one of them. I think everyone can be a little more like Beth. Everyone can be a little more empathetic 

Just because Beth has a different approach does not mean she’s any less ambitious. 

Just because I am shy does not mean I am rude. 

Just because I am quiet doesn’t mean I am not ambitious.

Rebecca Schneider

SBU '25

Rebecca is a senior communication, social justice & advocacy major at SBU. This is her second year writing for Her Campus. This year, Rebecca is looking forward getting to know all the new members. She is excited to write about pop culture, books, trends and just her life overall.

Besides Her Campus, Rebecca is the senior leader for the Campus Conservationists club and the social media manager for Jandoli Women in Communications club. She has had the opportunity to have an on-campus internship in the department of university advancement and write for TAP into Greater Olean, an online news source for the St. Bonaventure area.

During her free time, Rebecca enjoys reading, going to the gym and being outside. Rebecca also loves music and will always engage in a conversation about Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams or Noah Kahan.