I have spent many years trying to find the perfect role model for myself. As a young, female Republican, I looked for women who shared my conservative values and who demonstrated both grace and strength. Well aware of who Nikki Haley was, I decided to read up on the frontrunner in the GOP for the 2024 presidential election. So, I picked up her book, With All Due Respect, and was amazed by what I read.
The book is a memoir of Haley’s time in politics as both governor of South Carolina and Ambassador to the UN under former President Trump. Highlighting key moments in her career, the book allows for a behind-the-scenes exploration of life as a woman in American politics. What first struck me about the book was her tone. It was neither formal nor stuffy, and thus, was refreshingly humanizing. I see so many politicians on the television or in the news who seem disconnected and mechanical. This book transformed her from a two-dimensional politician to a three-dimensional human. She not only described what happened during her time in politics, but also her feelings and thoughts.
Nikki Haley is the daughter of two Indian immigrants who lived in rural South Carolina. Unfortunately, it is no secret that racism is a significant part of life outside the cities south of the Mason-Dixon Line. As Haley put it, “people were categorized by the color of their skin, and it affected the way we saw each other…you have to pick a side. Are you white or are you black?’’ Haley explains how the racism she experienced galvanized her desire to change the system, leading her to become governor of South Carolina. In her book, Haley does not focus on the minute details, but instead picks key events from her time, which keeps the narative interesting and engaging. One such event was the mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where nine Black people were killed at the hands of a white supremacist. Haley describes the aftermath, the devastation she felt, and how she had to keep herself together for the sake of her state. In the months following, she pushed the long debate about the Confederate flag flying on the state house to the top of the agenda. In this campaign, she worked with far-right conservatives and far-left democrats to come to a conclusion. She sought to understand every South Carolinian. She did not want people to feel marginalized whenever they looked at that flag, so it was removed. Her ability to bridge the ever-growing gap in the US political arena is truly inspiring. It is clear from the book that she understands that at the foundation of every political belief is the desire to make the country a better place.
After concluding her time in South Carolina, Haley moves to her time in the Trump Administration. Not a Trump supporter from the outset, Haley took the job of Ambassador to the UN because she believed that she could do some good in the world. In the beginning of her time in the UN, she was the only woman on the Security Council, but she never let that deter her. She was strong, fierce, and determined, and she was able to make change in the world. She also was a champion of human rights and sought to reform the way that aid is given to ensure it is not mishandled by corrupt governments. As I was reading all that she accomplished, I couldn’t help but be incredibly impressed by her drive and determination to do good in the world. What I found particularly compelling about this part of the book was the new light it shed on the Trump Cabinet. Haley faced opposition from the Secretary of State – among others – but never let it deter her from her path. She mentioned how when she disagreed with Trump’s actions, she would call him and tell him. In fact, Haley might be the only person he listened to on a consistent basis. What I loved was that it showed that she knew she had a voice and convictions, and was not afraid to speak out. The title of the book comes from one such time when she stood firm, and the whole quote reads, “with all due respect, I don’t get confused.” Her confidence, as it was portrayed in the book, was inspiring to me — especially as a soon-to-be adult in a new job where I will need confidence to succeed.
Overall, I was incredibly impressed with both Haley and her memoir. I loved the informal, conversational manner in which it was written – I never felt intimidated by her or her work. The book went in-depth into her time in politics, but was nevertheless an honest and humble account of her experiences. She talked about when she failed just as much as when she succeeded. She talked about when she felt her confidence faltering and how she overcame it. She humanized herself. She made the choice to not let the world define who she is; rather, she set out to define herself. I think that is one of the most valuable lessons anyone can learn. After reading this book, if Nikki Haley runs in 2024, she most certainly has my vote. We need more strong women running the show.