Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — When Utah first lady Abby Cox was a young girl she was tasked with taking care of 600 acres and several hundred animals with her nine siblings on her family's ranch, nestled in the small rural town of Mt. Pleasant. It was there she watched her father train a 2-year-old colt that became his 'pride and joy' and her lesson on leadership principles.
The image of her father spending hours in the ring and watching cassette tapes on how to train a horse was conjured years later when she walked into Bridle Up Hope. The nonprofit riding school teaches young women the power of their voice through horsemanship skills and a sense of responsibility for the horse.
As the owners of the nonprofit explained the inspiration of the program, Cox had a realization.
"It dawned on me that these were the powerful leadership lessons that I learned growing up on a ranch," she said. Those were the leadership principles she discussed with a group of women at the University of Utah's Executive Education Women's Symposium Wednesday.
So what leadership principles can Utah women learn from horses?
Hard work, developing relationships, having clear goals.
"Horses require incredible amounts of time and attention — this is also true about people," Cox said.
Set clear boundaries.
"With a horse you have to set clear boundaries," she said. "You have to be calm and present. This energy gives a sense of 'She's got this, I can follow.' As you do this, you are stepping into a place of power to assert yourself."
Communication.
"You have to learn to communicate clearly. When your intention and your focus match your body, when your whole body and intents are aligned, the horse gets it," Cox said. "As leaders, it's imperative to use our voice to take responsibility for our actions, set clear boundaries, communicate with control and not live passively but be intentional about our leadership."
Where does Cox apply the leadership skills she's learned?
Utah's first lady launched her "Show Up" initiative, which is meant to "convene, contribute to and champion projects related to social and emotional learning, statewide service, foster care awareness and sporting opportunities for children who live with physical or intellectual disabilities."
The initiative is currently focused on foster families and children, educator wellness and unified sports for those with intellectual disabilities. Each of the initiatives seem to tie into Cox's personal background as a mother with a degree in special education with a dual emphasis in early childhood and severe disabilities.
"I love my friends with disabilities. I love my friends of all abilities. They have taught me so much. There is a way to create an environment in every single school that is inclusive, that is loving, that will give every child a sense of belonging," Cox said. "This is a critically important time in our state's history to really wrap around the idea of including every single student and making sure that they have what they need, in their school environment."
Although Cox's comments focused on the Unified Sports initiative, they alluded to her husband, the governor's recent veto of a controversial bill that would ban transgender girls from competing in girls' high school sports. Gov. Spencer Cox released a five-page letter Tuesday regarding his decision to veto the bill and was applauded by LGBTQ advocates.
"I must admit, I am not an expert on transgenderism. I struggle to understand so much of it and the science is conflicting. When in doubt, however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion. I also try to get proximate and I am learning so much from our transgender community. They are great kids who face enormous struggles," he wrote.
Included in the education area was Abby Cox's concern for educators who've voiced frustrations.
"I've had so many educators come to me and say 'A year ago we were the heroes. Now, we don't know what happened, but we're the villains,'" Cox said.
Similar frustrations were voiced in the 2022 legislative session, when a controversial proposal would have allowed parents to sue educators for infringing on their parental rights.
"They are getting so much pressure, they are having to deal with the mental health issues that have come out of the pandemic that we had coming into it, that have been exponentially heightened," Cox said. "They are exhausted as many of you are and we need to find ways to support them."
Who are the women Abby Cox turns to for inspiration?
Michelle Love-Day, Rise Virtual Academy Founder
"The lessons, I think, that Michelle has taught me about leadership, that will help us in our leadership journeys, is get proximate to somebody that has a different story than you. It's a powerful learning tool, being curious about people and ideas that are different from the ones you find ways to connect."
"Lessons I've learned from Lt. Gov. Henderson: leaders never stop learning. 'Never stop learning' doesn't mean that everyone needs to go back to school in a formal sense, or in the later period like the lieutenant governor, but the grit and determination she displayed was an amazing example."
Nubia Peña, director of the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs
"Things I've learned from Nubia: Persevere through adversity with sheer grit and determination and a belief in yourself and your own ability to empower others around you through your positive communication and your mentorship. And always create space for people to succeed."
Vanessa Knickerbocker, foster care advocate
"The lessons I learned from Vanessa are when you can advocate for those who cannot. Look for ways to question when something doesn't feel right. Always approach advocacy with empathy and compassion and listen to the needs and concerns of those who are advocating."
Amy Dott Harmer, Utah Refugee Connection Executive Director
"Find your passion and let's serve as a way of life, helping others to see their divine self will inevitably lead to find your own. Intelligence is a universal opportunity. Give when you can serve in your sphere and share your gifts in the most meaningful way possible, as Amy does."
Advice to Utah women
"We need more women to step into power and lead with intention. We need more people of all kinds of different backgrounds, different abilities, different stories to come together and engage in our community," Cox said. "Be intentional about your leadership. Take the lessons of those around you like I have around me and let them become a part of you."
