Empowering Women to Lead

Empowering Women to Lead with Traci Buxton

In this episode of Empowering Women to Lead, we sit down with Mayor Traci Buxton of Des Moines, Washington—a woman who never set out to become a politician but answered the call to serve her community when the opportunity arose.
From raising four children to running city council meetings, Traci’s leadership journey is a story of humility, courage, and purpose. What makes her stand out isn’t just her title, but her mindset: She leads by building bridges, not building ladders.
🔹 Episode Highlights
From Unexpected Candidate to MayorTraci shares how she transitioned from community volunteer and "wrestling van mom" to running for city council—and eventually being elected mayor. What started as a friend’s suggestion became a new mission.
Purpose-Driven LeadershipFor Traci, leadership isn’t about climbing a hierarchy; it’s about carrying a message, casting a vision, and creating a plan. Her focus? Helping others succeed and building consensus without losing her authenticity.
Bridge-Building in ActionWhether she’s leading policy discussions or helping a resident navigate a community issue, Traci’s superpower is her ability to connect—person to person, heart to heart. She's passionate about listening deeply, finding solutions, and never humiliating others in public discourse.
Handling Criticism with GraceTraci shares her approach to public backlash, especially on social media: respond with kindness, focus on shared purpose, and never waste energy on offense. Her mantra? “Don’t kick dirt on the playground. Move the conversation forward.”
Empowering Other Women to LeadTraci reminds us that most women need to be invited—multiple times—before they step into leadership. She challenges listeners to be that invitation for others. And if you're waiting for a sign to lead, she says: “This is number one. Go find number two and three.”
💡 Quote Worth Remembering
“It doesn’t take intelligence as much as it takes grit and determination. Just don’t give up.”—Mayor Traci Buxton
🎯 Key Takeaways
Leadership is service, not status.
Connection and curiosity open more doors than control and criticism.
Resilience means redirecting, not retreating.
Empowerment starts with an invitation—to ourselves and to others.
📩 Want to Learn More?
If you’re thinking about stepping into leadership—whether in your community, business, or your own personal journey—Traci’s story offers insight, encouragement, and real-life strategy.
💌 Connect with Mayor Traci Buxton – If you'd like to ask questions or explore what it takes to serve, connect with TBuxton@desmoineswa.gov
💡 Explore the Purpose Journey – Ready to align your values with your leadership? Check out our Purpose Journey Program to discover your next step. https://www.rutheasterling.org/copy-of-productivity-coaching
🎧 Listen to the episode and share it with a woman who needs to hear: You are capable, you are needed, and you are invited to lead.

Backstory to Podcast

Empowering Women to Lead was born at Raisbeck Aviation High School in Seattle, Washington. The vision came to life through conversations with school leadership about the ongoing challenges women face in breaking the glass ceiling, particularly in STEM fields. As we shared stories, it became clear these struggles extended far beyond one industry or location. This inspired the creation of a podcast where women’s voices, experiences, and leadership journeys could be heard and celebrated.
More than just a platform, this podcast also became an opportunity to mentor the next generation, involving students in the process of recording, editing, and storytelling. We hope that these stories not only empower you on your journey but also inspire you to lift others as you rise.

Backstory to Podcast- Empowering Women to Lead

Empowering Women to Lead was born at Raisbeck Aviation High School in Seattle, Washington. The vision came to life through conversations with school leadership about the ongoing challenges women face in breaking the "glass ceiling" in the STEM world.
As we shared stories, it became clear these struggles extended far beyond one industry or location. This inspired the creation of a podcast where women’s voices, experiences, and leadership journeys could be heard and celebrated.
More than just a platform, this podcast also became an opportunity to mentor the next generation, involving students in the process of recording, editing, and storytelling. Our hope is that these stories not only empower you on your journey but also inspire you to lift others as you rise.

Empowering Women to Lead with Therese Tipton

Welcome to the very first episode of Empowering Women to Lead! In this powerful conversation, host Ruth Easterling sits down with Therese Tipton, principal of Raisbeck Aviation High School in Seattle, TEDx speaker, and President of the National Association of Secondary STEM Schools.
Together, they explore what it truly means to empower young women, especially in male-dominated spaces like aviation and STEM. Therese shares her journey into leadership, the impact of mentorship, and how confidence often begins with one small “yes.”
💡 In This Episode, You'll Learn:
How Therese’s mother quietly modeled strong leadership after personal tragedy
Why representation and mentorship matter for girls in STEM
The importance of taking risks, even when you feel uncertain
The challenges women face when their leadership is misunderstood or underestimated
How persistence, self-talk, and community build long-term resilience
Highlight: Leading in a Male-Dominated Space
As principal at a STEM high school located on Boeing Field, Therese has seen firsthand how girls thrive when given opportunity, encouragement, and a place to lead. With only about one-third of the student population being female, Raisbeck is actively working to close the gender gap in STEM leadership.
🎧 Listen if You:
Are a woman navigating leadership or stepping into new opportunities
Want to support the next generation of female leaders in your school, company, or community
Need inspiration to say "yes" to that next big challenge
Believe that mentorship and visibility change lives
📎 Resources & Links:
Connect with Therese Tipton therese.tipton@highlineschools.org
Learn more about The Purpose Journey Program https://www.rutheasterling.org/copy-of-productivity-coaching 
Sign up for Ruth's upcoming Live2Lead Women’s Business Conference – October 24 https://www.rutheasterling.org/live2lead
🔁 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If this episode encouraged or inspired you, share it with a friend. Tag @RuthEasterling and tell us: What does empowering women to lead mean to you?
And don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss future episodes with trailblazing women who are making a difference in leadership, STEM, business, education, and beyond.