Susan J. Fowler Quotes

Powerful Susan J. Fowler for Daily Growth

About Susan J. Fowler

Susan J. Fowler is an influential American author, engineer, and advocate for workplace equality, renowned for her memoir "Whistleblower: My Journey from Silicon Valley Whistleblower to Truth Teller." Born on June 16, 1984, in California, Fowler developed a passion for technology at an early age. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2006. Fowler began her professional career in the tech industry, working as an engineer at various Silicon Valley companies, including Uber Technologies, where she gained notoriety for her role in exposing systemic sexual harassment and workplace discrimination issues. Her experiences during her tenure at Uber were chronicled in her memoir, which served as a catalyst for change within the company and sparked broader discussions about gender inequality in tech and beyond. In addition to her work advocating for workplace equity, Fowler is also known for her contributions to the field of engineering. She authored "Producing Scalable and Reliable Web Services with Google Cloud" (2016), a practical guide to designing and implementing large-scale web applications using Google Cloud Platform. Fowler's work and activism have made her an inspiring figure for those seeking to challenge the status quo and create more inclusive, equitable environments in technology and beyond.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Culture is written in actions, not words."

This quote underscores that a company's culture is not just defined by its mission statements or values, but more importantly, by what it consistently does (actions) and how it behaves towards its employees, customers, and the wider community. Words can only express intentions; actions reveal true character and values. A culture that is respectful, inclusive, and fair demonstrates this through its daily practices and interactions, not just through stated ideals.


"We must be intentional about creating spaces where everyone can contribute."

This quote emphasizes the importance of actively designing environments that facilitate equal participation from all individuals. It suggests that in order to foster a diverse and inclusive community, we need to intentionally create spaces or structures that accommodate the unique perspectives, talents, and ideas of every member. This intentionality is crucial for encouraging full collaboration and ensuring everyone's contributions are valued and heard.


"Always speak up for yourself. But if you find yourself speaking a lot about how others should treat you, maybe they're not listening."

This quote suggests that advocating for one's own rights, needs, and boundaries is important. However, if you consistently need to express how others should treat you, it might indicate that your words are falling on deaf ears or the other person is not truly understanding or respecting your feelings. Instead, the focus should shift towards fostering active listening and empathy in relationships, so that the need for repetitive assertions can be minimized.


"Remember that you are responsible for your own career development, no one else will do it for you."

This quote emphasizes personal accountability and self-reliance in professional growth. It suggests that individuals should take charge of their careers, rather than relying on others to advance their careers for them. In essence, it's a reminder that success is often the result of personal initiative and hard work, and that career progression requires proactive effort from each individual.


"It is important to be aware of and call out the behavior that makes people uncomfortable or dehumanizes them."

This quote by Susan J. Fowler emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing behaviors that may cause discomfort or dehumanize others. It encourages individuals to speak up when they witness such actions, fostering a more inclusive, respectful, and equitable environment for all. This call-to-action is essential for personal growth and building healthier relationships, as well as creating change within communities and society at large.


You're no longer the engineer or the physicist or the writer - you're the whistleblower.

- Susan J. Fowler

Engineer, Writer, Longer, Physicist

I had this really intense resolve. I would call universities and community colleges and say, 'I really want to go to college. How do I get to college? What do I do?' And they would say, 'You have to get an application. You have to get letters of recommendation.' It was terrifying. I had no idea what I was doing.

- Susan J. Fowler

College, Doing, Terrifying, Letters

I would call universities and community colleges and say, 'I really want to go to college. How do I get to college? What do I do?' And they would say, 'You have to get an application. You have to get letters of recommendation.' It was terrifying. I had no idea what I was doing.

- Susan J. Fowler

College, Doing, Terrifying, Letters

When I joined Uber, the organization I was part of was over 25% women. By the time I was trying to transfer to another Eng. organization, this number had dropped down to less than 6%. Women were transferring out of the organization, and those who couldn't transfer were quitting or preparing to quit.

- Susan J. Fowler

Another, Part, By The Time, Transferring

When I was younger, I used to think that my unconventional upbringing was a weakness, but over the past few years, I've learnt to see it as one of my greatest strengths.

- Susan J. Fowler

Think, Over, Younger, Unconventional

The decision to join Stripe and run 'Increment' was a pretty easy one for me: It was an opportunity to be impactful, to collect and share best practices from the most effective engineering teams in the world. 'Increment' is a step toward flattening the distance between the Silicon Valley elite and developers everywhere.

- Susan J. Fowler

Distance, Developers, Collect

When I was harassed and discriminated against, I fought as hard as I could - because I hadn't gone through all of that, I hadn't worked so hard my entire life, just to have someone take it away from me.

- Susan J. Fowler

Through, Against, Away, Discriminated

Stepping back, just being in my little Stoicism Susan bubble, if what people know you for is bringing light to an issue about bad behavior, about bad stuff going on and laws not being followed and people being treated inappropriately, why wouldn't I want that? That's a badge of honor.

- Susan J. Fowler

Honor, Bad, Bad Behavior, Susan

What I keep going back to, and what keeps me going, is trying to do good in whatever little spot of the world we can influence, no matter how small.

- Susan J. Fowler

Small, Back, Going, Keeps

A lot of women have been whistle-blowers in the past, and a lot of them have just gotten torn down and treated terribly. One of the things that kept popping up was this idea that if you do whistle-blow about sexual harassment, then that is what will define the rest of your life.

- Susan J. Fowler

Been, Torn, Popping, Sexual

The second Trump won, I felt super-powerless and I thought, 'Oh my God, no one's looking out for us.'

- Susan J. Fowler

Thought, Trump, Felt, Oh My God

I never had a single thing handed to me. I had to fight for everything I wanted, like my education.

- Susan J. Fowler

Education, Had, Single Thing, Handed

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