Standing Beside, Not Above: Lessons in Solidarity and Leadership

When I think about solidarity, I think of shared strength — the kind that grows not from power over others, but from standing beside them. For me, solidarity means choosing empathy over ego, presence over prestige. It is a quiet decision to see people not as competitors, but as co-travelers on the journey toward change.

This belief took root in me early — when I was a young scientist learning to find my voice in rooms where women were few. I learned that leadership is not about being the loudest or the most brilliant; it is about building bridges for others to walk through.

The Journey

Mentoring young researchers in the microbiology lab — where learning and laughter coexist. Solidarity begins with shared curiosity.

My journey as a mentor began in the Philippines, when I met a group of students — Syrene, Kier, and Karla — who were working on their undergraduate research project. I wasn’t their official adviser, but I guided them through the research process, helping them think critically, analyze results, and see the bigger picture.

What touched me most was how mentorship planted seeds of passion. Kier once shared that through our work together, he found his inspiration to pursue a thesis in microbiology. Later, their team won first place at the 13th College of Arts and Sciences Research Colloquium — a moment that reminded me that mentorship isn’t about receiving credit but about lighting a spark that keeps others going long after.

When I moved to the United States to pursue my PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas, I carried that same spirit with me. Through Wedu, I met incredible women leaders from around the world. One of them was Dridhata Silwal, whom I interviewed as a Rising Star — a conversation that later blossomed into a meaningful friendship. And behind my own journey stands Nak Srey, whose mentorship through Wedu taught me that growth is never solitary; it happens through trust, humility, and shared learning.

Leadership in Action

As a researcher studying cancer bioenergetics, I’ve learned that resilience is not built in isolation. Just as cells thrive in networks of connections, leaders must also learn to be interdependent. Mentorship taught me that progress isn’t measured by how far I go, but by how many others rise with me.

There were moments when I faltered — balancing experiments, cultural adjustments, and self-doubt — but those moments revealed the truth of solidarity: even in struggle, we can still be a light. Mentorship is not about perfection; it is about presence. It’s about showing up, listening, and helping others believe in their own worth.

Solidarity matters in leadership today because the challenges we face — in science, society, and our personal lives — demand shared humanity. In a world that often celebrates individual success, solidarity invites us to redefine leadership as a collective act. It reminds us that courage can be quiet, that care can be powerful, and that leadership rooted in empathy sustains longer than ambition alone.

Women in leadership are not just breaking barriers; we are building ladders for others to climb. Each story shared, each hand extended, multiplies the light.

To my fellow mentors and women leaders: lead with kindness, not comparison. Measure your impact not in applause, but in the lives, you’ve helped transform. Let solidarity be your compass — guiding you to serve, to uplift, and to believe that leadership is most powerful when it is shared.

 

The Flame of Solidarity reminds me daily that we do not lead alone. We rise because someone believed in us — and now, it is our turn to do the same.

-Charlotte Marasigan

Flame of Solidarity Awardee 2025