Team Trophy Central hasn’t yet been able to bring ourselves to watch the series finale of The Middle, the ABC comedy that instigated our entire Random Acts of Trophy-ness “Show Us Your Sue” campaign to reward everyday heroes.
It was Sue Heck, the plucky, always-optimistic go-getter who inspired us to ask everyone to #ShowUsYourSue.
What does it mean to “Show Us Your Sue”?
It means to show us the person (or in this particular case, dog!) who makes the world a better place by being herself.
Sue Heck became our namesake to reward underdogs, dreamers and everyday heroes who inspire because Sue Heck never, EVER gives up.
Life repeatedly hands her rejection, yet her positive, determined, persistent spirit always soars.
Sue Heck is not the kind of person normally recognized in traditional trophy-giving spheres. Though she tries out for everything, she’s not the best athlete, singer or actor.
But at Trophy Central, we believe the Sue Hecks of the world deserve trophies for being themselves, for inspiring us with their resilience, cheerfulness, kindness and unique good-ness.
This month’s Random Acts of Trophy-ness winner, attorney Erin Rhinehart, is being recognized for her fierce leadership skills and her dedication to helping women advance professionally by becoming better negotiators.
Erin Rhinehart was nominated by one of the first ever Random Acts of Trophy-ness “Show Us Your Sue” winners, Chloe Pink (who won one of our shiny trophies for Best Girl Power Advocate) who had this to say:
“Erin is a woman who can do it all. She is a partner in a law firm. She is a leader in the Dayton Ohio business community and speaks to women on how to negotiate for themselves. She’s a wife, runner, cyclist and mother of two. She is on Chloe Pink’s advisory team and helps me spread the word to girls to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.”
Congratulations, Erin, on winning the Fierce Leadership Award!
Team Trophy Central believes the work Erin Rhinehart is doing to help women negotiate the salaries they deserve is very important work. In 2018, the gender wage gap still exists. Women overall make only $0.80 on the dollar compared to men, and the wage gap is even larger for women of color. Black women earn a mere 62.5% of the paychecks men receive and hispanic women only receive 54.4% of what men make.
Erin Rhinehart is on a mission to change that:
“A few years ago I put together a presentation to help women become better negotiators. I think it is a vital skill to help advance anyone — personally and professionally. Women simply don’t ask; and, when they do ask, it’s for much less than their male counterparts. Over the past four years, I have worked with hundreds of women (and some men!) to help them redefine negotiation, refine their skills, and encourage them to ask for more, more often. Frankly, I probably learn more than they do every time I present! It’s something I’m very proud of.”
As you should be, Erin!!
Team Trophy Central will eventually gather up the emotional courage to watch the season finale of The Middle, but until then, we’ll keep watching reruns. The end of the series will not be the end of our campaign. Sue Heck will live on in syndication and in our hearts.
But it’s up to YOU to keep our Random Acts of Trophy-ness #ShowUsYourSue campaign alive! Do you know someone special who brightens your day, inspires you with their strength or who makes the world a better place simply by being in it? Then please #ShowUsYourSue! Nominate the next Random Acts of Trophy-ness winner in the comments section below or on Twitter using our #ShowUsYourSue hashtag! We aim to deliver trophies AND smiles, and can’t wait to reward the next everyday hero in your life!
