In the bustling city of Corporate Conformity, where skyscrapers stretched high like monolithic pillars of

expectation, there existed a woman named Priya. She was a kaleidoscope amidst a sea of grayscale suits,

her essence a tapestry woven from the threads of her identity: gay, neurodiverse, depressive, and fiercely

female.

Priya navigated the labyrinth of boardrooms and cubicles, each step a dance between the shadows of her

struggles and the shimmering light of her resilience. Her mind was a garden of intricate pathways, where

thoughts bloomed like wildflowers in an untamed meadow, each one a vibrant hue in the spectrum of her

existence.

In the world of corporate conformity, where uniformity was championed and deviation frowned upon, Priya

stood as a beacon of defiance. She refused to cloak her authenticity in the suffocating cloak of sameness -

instead embracing her differences as badges of honour. Her gayness was a prism, refracting love in all its

colours; her neurodiversity, a compass guiding her through the maze of conformity; her depression, a storm

that battered but never broke her spirit; and her femininity, a force of nature, gentle yet unyielding.

Despite the whispers and stares that followed her like shadows, Priya pressed on, her path illuminated by

the flickering flame of her courage. With each hurdle she faced, she discovered hidden reservoirs of

strength within herself, transforming adversity into opportunity, weakness into wisdom.

In the end, Priya realised that her journey in the professional world was not merely about survival but about

thriving. She wasn't just another employee in the corporate machine; she was a storyteller, weaving tales of

resilience and empowerment with every step she took. And as she stood tall amidst the skyscrapers of

Corporate Conformity, she knew that her existence was not just a rebellion but a revolution—a revolution of

authenticity, diversity, and unapologetic self-expression.

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Priya is a fictional character created by WWDA member Marie Bledsoe. The image accompanying this story is a stock image as requested by the author

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Marie is a senior manager for 15+ years navigating the world of government, corporate and not-for-profit lands -

She embarked on her own journey of self-discovery, unpacking her own intersectionality. She is

learning to embrace her authentic self and share vulnerabilities to encourage others who join her in disability

and the LGBTQI+ community. Outside of office hours you will find her supporting the Pyjama Foundation as

a “Pyjama Angel”, tending a large amount of houseplants, drinking a tea, spending time with her

stepdaughters or enjoying a laugh with her beloved Texan.

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If you want to see more about Marie head to her LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariefox8/

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