Paddle This: Learning to Cope with Life's Backhands

Riley Quinn was determined to live life on her own terms. Born in the 1950's, she came of age at a time when higher education and career choices for women were limited. Societal norms still encouraged women to be mothers and homemakers or join the labor pool in "support roles" for men and society. Without independent careers or hobbies, many women in the suburbs defined their successes based on the successes of their spouse or children. In 1971, there were still many functions and clubs where women were excluded. Quinn had no intentions of following tradition, and went on after college to finish law school. She entered the workforce with guns blazing, demanding to be paid the same as her male counterparts. In this brave and witty memoir, she recounts the struggles of raising a family while practicing law full-time at prestigious firms. As life got more chaotic and challenging, she discovered Paddle, a sport that became a constant joy in her life and the one thing she wouldn't forego, no matter what obstacles and crises she faced at home or work. Reflecting on her choices over the years, Quinn shares the wisdom gleaned from managing the demands of marriage, raising four children, and running several successful businesses. "Having it all" is possible, but maybe not all at once. We must look inward, understand our strengths and play to them, and use our gifts and talents in order to evolve. We all suffer tragedies in life, and at times we all fall down. The key is having the grit to pick ourselves up and resolve to forge ahead.

About the Author :
Riley Quinn graduated summa cum laude from a large public high school. She then matriculated to Gannon College where she received a BS in social work and graduated summa cum laude with numerous awards. Quinn worked as a social work researcher for three years and gave birth to two girls before joining the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. There she published a note in the Journal of Law and Commerce, and during her second year was accepted onto the Law Review as a staff editor. Upon graduation, Quinn accepted a position at the largest law firm in Pittsburgh. She practiced in "Big Law" for eight years, but after giving birth to her fourth child (the third child having died shortly after birth), she found the work/life balance impossible to achieve. Quinn then formed her first of three law firms, along with three small real estate development companies, where she successfully balanced her work life with her home life. She was able to give birth to her fifth child while she managed the ongoing demands of being both a mother and a lawyer. At the end of her career, Quinn became a licensed title agent and folded her law practice into a midsize downtown law firm.Realizing the importance of growing her community for the benefit of her family and others, Quinn always made time to give back to her community while balancing her hectic life. Her children were often in tow with her during these endeavors, so they too understand the value of giving back to our communities.Quinn is proud to report that each one of her four children is well-adjusted and happy as well as a successful, educated, and compassionate contributor to society.

Review :
"Paddle This provides a brilliant window into the plight of a woman professional determined to slug through life, at great cost to herself, to achieve true change. Blunt, irreverent, hilarious, excruciating, heartwarming, and at times jolting, author-lawyer Riley Quinn delivers a powerful story about dreams stolen and the triumphant reclaiming of self. Through the lens of a dogged lawyer who finds salvation in friends, children, love, and Paddle tennis, readers get to witness the shifting galaxy of a decades-old movement, as women professionals finally ascend to positions of prominence for the betterment of every person willing to join the ride." Ken Gormley President of Duquesne University and Award-Winning Author, most recently The Heiress of Pittsburgh "Work-life balance is really a myth. Calling it a challenge intimates there is an answer to be uncovered or a mountain to be climbed. We only have one life, and prioritizing how we spend our time and find happiness is the real challenge. There is no one true answer. It's not that easy. This book shows how focusing on a passion, staying true to yourself, and continually looking to grow, not just as an athlete but as a person, can be the port in any storm--a safe harbor. A place from which to grow and find happiness." Buddy Hobart Founder and CEO of Solutions 21 and Published Author "Riley Quinn--Funny, witty, talented, and wicked smart. Not just book smart (although she is)...street smart, people smart--the kind of smart that you would want to have on your team or your board. In small to mid-market cities like Pittsburgh, a woman needs to be tenacious in order to obtain and keep a seat at the table. My experience of Riley is that she is that kind of woman--the kind that makes things happen and makes a difference." David Goldman Coach, Author, Speaker, and Owner of Goldman Organization