--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Valek stopped to consult with…" description: "\"“When Valek stopped to consult with another adviser, I glanced around. A handful of the Commander’s advisers were women, and I noticed two female Capta..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/maria-v-snyder-1261_feminism_when-valek-stopped-to-consult-with-anoth_2507641.jpg" --- # When Valek stopped to consult with another adviser, I… ![“When Valek stopped to consult with another adviser, I glanced around. A handful of the Commander’s advisers were women, and I noticed two female Captains and one Colonel. Their new roles were one of the benefits of the takeover. The Commander assigned jobs based on skills and intelligence, not on…” quote by Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/maria-v-snyder-1261_feminism_when-valek-stopped-to-consult-with-anoth_2507641.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/maria-v-snyder-1261_feminism_when-valek-stopped-to-consult-with-anoth_2507641.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/maria-v-snyder-1261_feminism_when-valek-stopped-to-consult-with-anoth_2507641.jpg) > ““When Valek stopped to consult with another adviser, I glanced around. A handful of the Commander’s advisers were women, and I noticed two female Captains and one Colonel. Their new roles were one of the benefits of the takeover. The Commander assigned jobs based on skills and intelligence, not on gender. While the monarchy preferred to see women work as maids, kitchen helpers and wives, the Commander gave them the freedom to choose what they wanted to do. Some women preferred their former occupations, while others jumped at the chance to do something else, and the younger generation had been quick to take advantage of the new opportunities.”” [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage illustrates how gender‑based role reassignment under a meritocratic leader can unlock new opportunities for women, challenging traditional expectations. **In simple terms:** A fair leader lets women choose jobs based on skill, not gender. Key Takeaway Promote merit over gender bias. Themes gender equality leadership empowerment social change Mood hopeful determined inspirational Type narrative social commentary motivational When to use this quote - workplace policy reform - education programs - career counseling - family discussions Key Concepts meritocracy role flexibility cultural shift Questions to Reflect On - How can organizations ensure merit‑based assignments without tokenism? - What support do women need to transition into new roles? A Different Perspective May face resistance from entrenched cultural norms and existing power structures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advisers Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advisers-women-1125320/) [Commander Advisers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commander-advisers-1125319/) [Commander Assigned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commander-assigned-1125321/) [Female Captains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female-captains-1125318/) [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Freedom to choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-to-choose/) [New Opportunities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-opportunities/) [Wives Commander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wives-commander-1125317/) [Women Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-work/) ## Related quotes > [I do not believe we are all created equal. 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It's about giving them the freedom to choose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/notjustarandomgirl/love-is-not-about-being-with-the-person-you-love-it-s-about-giving/) [Notjustarandomgirl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/notjustarandomgirl/) > [“Yoga gives you the freedom to choose, but it does not guarantee you will choose freedom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-main/yoga-gives-you-the-freedom-to-choose-but-it-does-not-guarantee-you/) [Darren Main](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-main/) > [“Time is the ultimate form of socialism. Each receives the same amount equally, yet how we manage our time is reflected by our lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-mol/time-is-the-ultimate-form-of-socialism-each-receives-the-same-amount/) [Donald Mol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-mol/) > [You can live constrained within the confines of a solely material perspective, or choose instead the infinite field of quantum possibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/you-can-live-constrained-within-the-confines-of-a-solely-material/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Your capacity to say "No" determines your capacity to say "Yes" to greater things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/your-capacity-to-say-no-determines-your-capacity-to-say-yes-to/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [“I say this because all religions, accurately understood, will take away your fear of not being enough. I believe there is a way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-giles/i-say-this-because-all-religions-accurately-understood-will-take-away/) [Kimberly Giles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-giles/) > [Having the freedom to read and the freedom to choose is one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blume/having-the-freedom-to-read-and-the-freedom-to-choose-is-one-of-the/) [Judy Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blume/) > [With a basic understanding of all humans as brothers and sisters, we can appreciate the usefulness of different systems and ideologies that can accommodate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/with-a-basic-understanding-of-all-humans-as-brothers-and-sisters-we/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Man's last freedom is his freedom to choose how he will react in any given situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-last-freedom-is-his-freedom-to-choose-how-he-will-react-in-any/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“But in the final analysis it doesn’t matter whether they were Christian believers, Deists, or atheists: Their intention was to create a system of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/but-in-the-final-analysis-it-doesn-t-matter-whether-they-were/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) ## More by Maria V. Snyder > [Yelena.” I halted in the doorway, looking back over my shoulder. “You once said I wasn’t ready to believe your reason for killing Reyad.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/yelena-i-halted-in-the-doorway-looking-back-over-my-shoulder-you-once/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [We are searching for the same thing,” Stripey said. “How do you know?” Janco asked. “I read his mind.” The Sitian pointed to Ari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-are-searching-for-the-same-thing-stripey-said-how-do-you-know/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you." Valek's warm breath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/yelena-you-ve-driven-me-crazy-you-ve-caused-me-considerable-trouble/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [I do know I felt as if my heart had been shredded when I found you in our storeroom, unconscious and bleeding. And leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/i-do-know-i-felt-as-if-my-heart-had-been-shredded-when-i-found-you-in/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“My future appeared to be a long twisted road fraught with knots, tangles, and traps. Just the way I liked it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/my-future-appeared-to-be-a-long-twisted-road-fraught-with-knots/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/there-s-always-another-storm-it-s-the-way-the-world-works-snowstorms/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Yippee. I’ve been promoted from fire lighter to delivery boy. I’ll write a letter home to Mother. She’ll be so pleased.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/yippee-i-ve-been-promoted-from-fire-lighter-to-delivery-boy-i-ll/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Don't feel ashamed for having those feelings and those memories. What happened in the past can't be changed, but they can be a guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/don-t-feel-ashamed-for-having-those-feelings-and-those-memories-what/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [I took three steps and was wrapped in his arms, where I belonged. No confusion here. No worries here. No troubles here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/i-took-three-steps-and-was-wrapped-in-his-arms-where-i-belonged-no/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Valek smiled. “Good. First, send Kade a reply, asking him not to come.” He pointed at the unopened letter on the table. I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/valek-smiled-good-first-send-kade-a-reply-asking-him-not-to-come-he/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Oh, you made an impression. Like a stone caught in my boot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/oh-you-made-an-impression-like-a-stone-caught-in-my-boot/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Interesting how life goes on in spite of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/interesting-how-life-goes-on-in-spite-of-itself/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [We talked through Gillie's life from start to finish, including all her accomplishments and major life events. The woman fell asleep with a dreamy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-talked-through-gillie-s-life-from-start-to-finish-including-all/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [In the war room, love? What if someone comes in?” I stood and removed his shirt. “Then they’ll have a good story to tell.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/in-the-war-room-love-what-if-someone-comes-in-i-stood-and-removed-his/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Can you feel your pulse? That means Valek isn’t here, because if he was, you’d be dead. No pulse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/can-you-feel-your-pulse-that-means-valek-isn-t-here-because-if-he-was/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) [Explore all 258 Maria V. Snyder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) ## More Feminism quotes > [“But benevolent patriarchy is still patriarchy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/but-benevolent-patriarchy-is-still-patriarchy/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. 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The popular notion is that women who get ahead must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bailey-poland/this-story-is-not-at-all-an-uncommon-one-in-tech-circles-including/) [Bailey Poland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bailey-poland/) > [Without meaning to sound anti-men, ghastly women are the closest you get to a male role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/without-meaning-to-sound-anti-men-ghastly-women-are-the-closest-you/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [If the women in the factories stopped work for twenty minutes, the Allies would lose the war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joffre/if-the-women-in-the-factories-stopped-work-for-twenty-minutes-the/) [Joseph Joffre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joffre/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“there was something of the women molded into the great, stalwart frame of Hollingsworth; nor was he ashamed of it; as men often are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/there-was-something-of-the-women-molded-into-the-great-stalwart-frame/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [Women rule the world. 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Why? The “integrated” agency will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoram-wind/women-will-be-at-least-50-percent-of-the-communications-community/) [Yoram Wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoram-wind/) [Browse all 15,705 Feminism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When Valek stopped to consult with another adviser, I glanced around. A handful of the Commander’s advisers were women, and I noticed two female Captains and one Colonel. Their new roles were one of the benefits of the takeover. The Commander assigned jobs based on skills and intelligence, not on gender. While the monarchy preferred to see women work as maids, kitchen helpers and wives, the Commander gave them the freedom to choose what they wanted to do. 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