Dancing in the Dash: My Story of Empowerment, Diplomacy, and Resilience

by Lauri Fitz-Pegado

Dancing in the Dash tells the inspiring and compelling story of a woman whose experiences have taken her around the world. Lauri Fitz-Pegado has had a remarkable life performing in the arts, embracing activism and advocacy, and working in the world of policy, politics, and diplomacy. She became a career diplomat, a presidential appointee in the Clinton Administration at the Department of Commerce under Secretary Ron Brown, and she met with renowned world leaders. Ballet provided ballast and grace throughout the rigors of her life and career, beginning with her training at the prestigious Jones-Haywood School of Ballet in Washington, DC.

The author explores her life's journey, and how her training in dance helped establish the skills-balance, endurance, perseverance-that informed her approach to the challenges that she faced, both professionally and personally, as an African American woman. This memoir is particularly relevant today, during our national conversation reassessing our assumptions, our past, as well as our path forward. In telling her story, the author reveals her insights and observations about history and its consequences, about opportunity and obstacles, and about loss and redemption.

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2021

Reviews

[Angie B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a woman of color who retired from executive service in corporate America, I could relate to a lot of Ms. Fitz-Pegado's story. I very much admire her work in the arts and in helping to lift others up. Thank you for your great service!

[Diane Zappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. I enjoyed learning the meaning of the title and that we are both “Vassar girls.”

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this wonderful book. The author was a true trailblazer in arenas in which African American women did not typically excel. And her utilization of aspects of her rigorous dance training, such as grace under pressure, in her high-powered career in politics, international diplomacy, corporate America and the arts is inspiring. Her description of Secretary Ron Brown's accident and grief surrounding the event brought tears to my eyes. This is an excellent book and a must read for women who seek success!

[Joye Vailes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Life has a Tale - This one is worth knowing and of course, reading!

I love the way the author's story is told. It ebbs and flows just the way of life and memory. We look back while moving forward. A compelling story and one that will remind us of the victory of purpose.