IMPERTURBABLE

February 21, 2010

Imperturbable
\’im-per-‘ter-be-bel\ adj : marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness : serene*

Serving on an executive board of an organization had its ups and downs. I, along with my fellow e-board members, were able to enlighten our peers about race relations, provide laughs, deep conversations and lasting connections. I met with administration almost daily and more often than not, walked out of our meetings with a headache.
I am a very vocal person and when an event’s location was changed because of a shortage of outlets on the main quad or a speaker was hindered in his/her presentation due to a fear of disrupting the antiseptic universe the higher-ups had created, I made it known that I was upset, (usually in the office with the door shut and the blind drawn).
My president though, she was often imperturbable; affected by the usual unfortunate turn of events yet ready to weather the storm with a calm demeanor and determined attitude. We often butted heads and sometimes didn’t understand each other however that is one thing I will always admire about her, she was able to light a fire under someone by using her own powerful flame instead of extinguishing all possibility by getting hot under the collar. It was only when we were home, after a long day’s work trying to make a difference, that she let herself feel; all the while rebuilding her strength for the next day’s journey.

*letter “e” is upside down creating sound of “uh”