Book excerpt: "Playing Through the Fence" is part memoir, part self-help for emerging leaders or anyone seeking inspiration while facing obstacles on his or her career journey. Nineteen women, including the author, share powerful reflections of fortitude and accomplishments in their lives and careers, sometimes against what seemed like impossible odds, as they challenged barriers on their paths to success. A metaphor for these barriers, "The Fence" represents the crossroads where struggle meets opportunity. The stories shared by these women are snapshots in time when they chose the path of opportunity. We are reminded that we are not alone, and that success, though sometimes appearing elusive, is always within reach.