Sewickley writer's work featured in latest 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' book

A Sewickley writer’s work recently appeared for the fourth time in a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book.

Judith Burnett Schneider, who left her job as a research scientist several years ago to become a full-time writer, just had her essay “Pivotal Cup” appear in the media company’s latest anthology, entitled “Be You.”

The book, by Amy Newmark, was published in April. It is filled with 101 short stories and essays of “affirmation, determination and female empowerment.”

Newmark, an author, is the editor and publisher for “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

Schneider’s essay takes readers back to one of her first jobs, at a hotel in downtown Pittsburgh at age 19.

“I was working on sales contracts to book multiple rooms and dining services,” she said. “One day, my boss told me to bring him coffee.”

Schneider had to choose between defying her boss or beginning “a subservient life of being ordered around, numb to new thoughts, no respect, low self-esteem,” she wrote in her lighthearted essay.

A short conversation with her dad proved to be helpful in deciding what to do. The story did not end in an unwanted confrontation with her boss or the beginning of an unwanted life of submission. The story is about her decision to find the best solution for her and the lessons she learned in that pivotal moment.

“I learned diplomacy and discretion,” she wrote. “To stand up for myself and yet not to be unnecessarily confrontational. To work toward what I wanted using strategy and tact. I discovered how to make my own way.”

Schneider went on to work as a research organic chemist and transitioned her career into writing when she started a family. In addition to appearing in three other “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books, her work has been published in newspapers across the nation and in magazines including Writer’s Digest, BabyBug Magazine and Spider Magazine.

She also co-wrote a book called “The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Life” that published in 2004. She’s working on a novel tentatively dubbed “The Mix-Up.”

She hopes women of all ages are inspired by her story.

“It was pivotal for me,” she said. “I loved my job – and I felt important working in town as a young woman, but I didn’t want to do something that compromised what I believed in and it helped me later. Especially being the only woman in a conference room at times.”

She said the moment taught her the importance of thinking through hard decisions and determining which battles are worth fighting versus letting go.

“I hope it inspires people to think through big decisions and triggers good memories for people,” she said of her story.

“Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be You” is available on Amazon.