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of us flew from New York to encourage her to run for office. We sat around the kitchen table and put down a plan. at doesn't mean it'll happen in the next six months, but it outlines what the next five or 10 years look like. When I worked at the Harrisburg paper I was the Anderson Cooper of Pennsylvania—I knew the power players at the state and local levels. Five young men came to me at different times and places and laid out for me their five or 10-year plans to become mayor or congressman or governor. I thought that was pretty ambitious. ey were around my same age, some were married, or had families, and they had a vision. ey could show me a formulated plan of how they were going to get into elected office. I thought to myself, why have no women done this? I see women leading businesses and playing a part in local civic groups or as members of the chamber, yet no woman ever came to me—except one who ran for a city council role and won—with this kind of plan. We haven't quite figured out why we're not elevating more women to run for office. Back in the 90s I had a chance to intern in the U.S. Senate. At the time there were nine female senators. Here we are, 20 years later, and we're only at 21. As a teenager I naively thought it would get better and better, that there would be exponential growth, but the pace has been so slow. I believe in the "Lean In" philosophy—that women need to support each other and also take more initiative. We need to see more of the "I'm going to put my name in the hat" kind of mentality. Speaking of the next five or 10 years, you are now in your mid-30s. At this stage of your life, are you thinking about children? I would like to have a child. About half of my friends have at least one child, and the changes that take place in their lives underscore how amazing the experience of motherhood is. But I am also cognizant of the great advice from Sheryl Sandberg in Lean In to not take yourself mentally out of the workforce too soon. So at the moment, it's not a reality for me. Or even in the next year or two. I am conscious of not trying to over-think and over-plan how that's all going to work. One bit of advice—I highly recommend that you freeze your eggs. is is actually a big topic of conversation. at's probably right up there with, "What TV shows are you watching right now?" [Laughing] At least in New York City; I can't speak for the rest of the country. I fully agree with what you're saying, but for me, I have decided not to freeze my eggs. I am a big believer in adoption and that is probably the right route for me if I'm not able to have a child biologically. Are you seeing evidence lately of women banding together? Some people have the perception that it's all going to work itself out. But unless there's real action and focus on certain initiatives, we won't get there. ere's always been a bit of a coming together when people have kids—they start to form these mom groups that become natural support systems. But what's different for me and my generation is that we are getting married later, or not getting married at all, so it's a whole new wild west for us—what life and success look like. What fulfillment looks like when we don't go that route. I see a lot more groups forming of the single ladies who are very career-driven. I do feel that women are finding each other, trying to come together and recognizing that these support groups are critical. ere's a Wellesley sisterhood. We talk about solutions and tell each other to stay in the game. We surround each other to say, "You are talented; let's stick this out and find a game plan." For more of Heather's story, and to hear her views on women in television, the future of media and her experience living abroad, visit GravitasMag.com where you will find a video of her full interview. Visit GravitasMag.com for more! OPPOSITE PAGE: Heather on "CNN Newsroom." LEFT: Heather during a broadcast in Chicago. ABOVE: Heather with her college friends Crystal Jin, Jamie Andersen and Erchen Yan, along with Baby Julia Andersen outside Jamie's home in Naples, Florida. Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 23

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