In the world of leadership, some women rise to the top by carefully planning every move. Others, like DeDe Cox, find themselves swept into leadership almost by fate. For DeDe, the turning point came when she met the founders of Ardi’s Bears, a 501(c)(3) organization. Their expectations lit a fire within her—one she couldn’t ignore. “They scared the bejeebers out of me, and I did not want to disappoint them,” she recalls with a laugh. From that moment, she carried leadership not as a chosen title, but as a responsibility.
Tenacity Over Titles
With a career spanning paralegal work, pageant direction, nonprofit leadership, writing, teaching, and even veterinary tech intake, DeDe has worn many hats. Each required adaptability, confidence, and, above all, tenacity. “Confidence is key,” she explains, “but sometimes that doesn’t always work. Tenacity—I don’t like to give up.” That resilience has carried her through moments of doubt and across male-dominated spaces, where she has had to assert her place with quiet but undeniable strength.
Lessons From the Farm and the Family
Raised on a farm, DeDe’s sense of worth was instilled early. Her father reminded her that men themselves owe their existence to women, while her grandmother embodied grit and resourcefulness with only a 7th-grade education. “She could run a farm, raise a family, and pay bills—all on that,” DeDe reflects. “And she taught me Acts 20:35.” These lessons became her compass in industries where women often earned a fraction of their male counterparts.
Trust, Truth, and Tough Conversations
One of the hardest lessons DeDe learned came from trusting too easily. “You have that gut feeling—you know it. I didn’t listen to mine. Now I trust my instincts better.” That wisdom serves her in tough conversations, where she seeks the middle ground between what she sees and hears. “Somewhere in the middle, you will find what the true problem is.”
Breaking Stereotypes, Finding Pride
As a blonde-haired woman with a country accent, stereotypes often tried to overshadow her credibility. Her grandmother’s saying offered a humorous but practical approach: “Men like to be stroked, petted, or rubbed—you just gotta figure out which will work.” Still, DeDe has never let others define her path. At 56, she proudly became a published romance author, a milestone that remains one of her proudest achievements.
The Balancing Act of Life
For DeDe, success doesn’t come without sacrifice. “You will always sacrifice something,” she admits. “But you choose when to sacrifice and prioritize the sacrifice. The sacrifice changes person to person, as we are all unique and different. No one should ever be pushed aside or forgotten.” Her anchor comes from her faith—praying the Jabez prayer daily and keeping a list of people who may need an extra prayer. “Prayers are free,” she says simply.
Advice From the Heart
If she could whisper one piece of advice to her younger self, it would be this: “Don’t listen to others about what you should be; be yourself; there’s only ONE of YOU. And if folk don’t like you, that’s okay, too.”
The Woman Behind the Leadership
DeDe Cox doesn’t claim perfection or even the traditional trappings of leadership. She acknowledges that not everyone will follow or agree with her—and that’s fine. She has never struggled with imposter syndrome, instead choosing to focus on honesty and striving to improve each day. What she wants the world to understand about women in business is clear: “Women are the best multitaskers in the world because we stay busy and can make it happen.”
In DeDe’s story, leadership is not about titles or accolades, it’s about the things that truly matter in life, such as grit, prayer, family roots, and the courage to keep moving forward. She is a reminder that authenticity, tenacity, and faith are as powerful as any business degree or executive office. Daily, she is a part of more than just herself, and that makes her stand out among a crowd!
Photography credit
Author photos in red dresses – Matt – Voice Tribune
Maroon dress on cruise ship – dede cox
The hands in the air with the red dress – Lanette Hester
