A Layered Life: Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Black Woman in Corporate America

An unforgettable memoir of grit, grace, and groundbreaking leadership

Born into deep disadvantage in the 1950s during racial desegregation and before the women's rights movement, Gladys H. DeClouet shattered expectations by becoming the first female engineer in offshore oil and gas exploration and production. But her story doesn't stop there. As a pioneering Black woman in corporate America, Gladys climbed to the highest echelons of leadership in both the oil and restaurant industries-ultimately running multibillion-dollar divisions in spaces where women, especially women of color, were rarely welcomed.

A Layered Life is an extraordinary journey through the complexities of race, gender, ambition, and personal loss. With raw vulnerability and unflinching honesty, Gladys shares how she endured and overcame blatant racism, sexism, and sexual harassment. Her story is marked not just by hardship but by joy, self-belief, and an unwavering commitment to help others succeed.

Far more than a business memoir, A Layered Life reads with the pace of a mystery novel and the emotional depth of a personal reckoning. Through heartbreak and triumph, Gladys weaves a powerful message: Life is layered, and each challenge can serve as a stepping stone to growth, purpose, and legacy.

For readers of all backgrounds-especially those navigating the corporate world-this book offers practical insights into developing inspirational leadership, managing diversity and inclusion, building high-performance teams, mentoring, and finding balance without compromising integrity.

A Layered Life will challenge you to reflect on your own life, your values, and your impact on the world around you. It's not just a story-it's a call to courage, resilience, and transformation.