Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat who served as the 66th United States Secretary of State under the George W. Bush Administration. As an African American woman, Rice broke barriers at the highest levels of government.

Born in 1954, Rice grew up in the segregated South in Birmingham, Alabama. She experienced many instances of racism and discrimination during her childhood. The memories and advice from her family have stayed with her, influencing how she handles racism and sexism. “I grew up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama… I remember specifically my father saying once it’s okay if someone doesn’t want to sit next to you because you’re black, as long as they move. So the message was don’t let somebody else’s racism or sexism be your problem.”

Rice is intelligent and talented, finishing high school and entering the University of Denver at the age of fifteen. She originally wanted to become a concert pianist, entering college with a major in music. However, after taking one course in political science, she shifted her career aspirations to international politics. After earning her PhD in political science in 1981, she began teaching at Stanford University. She succeeded in this position, eventually becoming the Provost of Stanford in 1993, the first woman and African American to earn the role.

While she was a successful professor, Rice also pursued her career in politics. In 1989, she served in George H.W. Bush’s administration as an advisor on Soviet and Eastern European affairs. Rice earned several more “firsts” in her positions in White House cabinets. In 2000, George W. Bush later appointed her as a national security advisor, becoming the first black woman to hold that post. She was later promoted to become the first black women as Secretary of State. Rice once said that if she had waited for a role model that looked like her in her desired career, “I’d still be waiting.” Instead, Rice offers advice on challenging boundaries: “Don’t wait to see someone like you.”

Outside of her political career, she has created and joined organizations that empower girls and educate the public. In 1991, she co-founded the Center for a New Generation, an after-school academic enrichment program. In 2014, Condoleezza joined the “Ban Bossy Campaign” to empower girls encourage them to be leaders.

Condoleezza Rice continues to be involved in political and social organizations and works as a professor at Stanford University.