3 Reasons To Feel Hopeful About Gender Equality in a Time of Uncertainty

On October 11, we celebrate International Day of the Girl. This is a time to step back and take stock of our progress toward positive social change for gender equality on a global scale. If you’re not familiar, I encourage you to read more about it, and how it’s related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Perhaps it’s my ENFJ personality type (humble brag: Oprah is also an ENFJ *flips hair*). Or if you’re into astrology, the fact that I’m an Aquarius-Pisces Cusp. But I’ve always been super passionate about wanting to help and stand up for others. I mean, who doesn’t want equity and happiness for everyone, right?

But the truth is, with as much progress as we’ve made over the last few decades, there are still so many groups of people who need support. And while I wish I could wave a magic wand and help every single person (and animal) on this planet, one of my passion areas that I’ve been leaning into even more (pun intended: thanks, Sheryl Sandberg) is female empowerment.

I’m not going to “get political,” but with the recent passing of the Notorious RBG, who fought so hard for the basic rights women now have in the U.S., there’s a feeling of uncertainty among many of us about what may lie ahead if we don’t continue having strong champions for gender equality.

But, I’m a glass-is-half-full kind of person. So while the fate of the upcoming election and vacancy in the Supreme Court is still unknown, there’s a lot of great work happening to continue progressing women’s rights on many fronts. It’s happening in ways we may not even realize – within the companies we work for, the community organizations we support and even within our personal networks of friends and family.

I’d like to share three examples that I hope inspire you to also view this next chapter through a positive lens along with me.

#1 Compared to our mothers and grandmothers, we’ve come a long way – and the momentum will continue.

I was raised by a single mother who grew up in an old steel town just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. When she attended high school in the 1970s, my mom and her peers were told their priority was to find a husband and raise a family. And if you weren’t “lucky enough to find a man to take care of you,” you could work in a factory. Or if you “had brains,” perhaps go to nursing school. (Shout out to all my nurse friends!)

Of course those weren’t the only options available, and there were clearly other professions that had female representation during that time. But this anecdote demonstrates the challenges that young women faced about carving a path for their lives.

Today, in 2020, it’s so hard for me to fathom what it must have felt like back then to have so little choice in your future. And sadly, if you picked the path of “finding a husband to take care of you,” and things didn’t work out, many women, including my mother, were left unequipped with the financial resources or practical life skills to live independently.

The good news is that most girls today are now encouraged starting at a young age to be anything they want to be. To dream big. To get an education. To create their own future. My mom’s experience and the challenges we faced during my childhood are what’s fueled my passion for education and financial literacy. It’s driven me to want to continue as a lifelong learner so I can better myself and support organizations that lift up women and girls from all walks of life.

A glass-is-half-full proof point on our progress: Last month, while I was sleepily sipping my morning coffee and scrolling my social feeds, I got a surge of excitement when the headline popped up that Jane Fraser was named the incoming CEO of Citigroup. Hell yeah! She will be the first woman to lead a major financial institution in the U.S. (Cue the dancing lady emoji).

We’re making progress, but sadly, female CEOs still only make up 7% of Fortune 500 company leadership. Not to worry, though, the glass is half full. ...Stay with me.

# 2 There are more organizations, movements and causes focused on female empowerment and social justice than ever before.

Back in the day, there weren't many organizations focused on women’s issues. In fact, women were excluded from many important conversations – even about their own bodies! So sad. :-(

Again, while we have a ways to go, I’m so encouraged by the progress we’ve made since my mother’s generation. There have been so many new causes and grassroots campaigns over just the last few years dedicated to bringing awareness to issues women are still facing today. The most notable: The #MeToo movement, which caused a ripple effect across nearly every industry after revealing the sexual harassment, abuse and gender discrimination that took place at the highest levels and among some of the most public figures.  

Over the summer, I had the honor of joining the Board of Directors for the Phoenix chapter of Girls in Tech, a global non-profit organization focused on the engagement, education and empowerment of women in technology. With STEM being largely dominated by men for so many years, Girls in Tech is focused on creating a diverse and inclusive technology community with programs that help girls and women build their confidence and skills. And it’s amazing that there are even more organizations with similar missions like Girls Who Code and Women in Technology.

Shout out to the Girls in Tech Phoenix board of directors pictured below. Say hello, and tag yourself in the comments!

# 3 We’re lifting each other up through networks, mentors and career opportunities.

Women have always lifted each other up, but a major difference between my mother’s era and mine has been the emergence of formalized professional networks dedicated to bringing women together for connection and support. For instance, recently I had the opportunity to join a career development workshop hosted by my fellow Girls in Tech board member Melissa Lamson (speaking of women who inspire you - wow!). The workshop was comprised of a small group of female leaders representing businesses across the country. We all had several inspiring and “a-ha” moments during the workshop, and each left with a better understanding about ourselves, our purpose and the excitement of the new badass women who were now part of our networks.  

Mentors and sponsors are so important. I’m lucky that I’ve had a number of strong women to lean on throughout my career, including where I currently work. Early Warning, (the network operator of Zelle), is comprised of so many phenomenal women dedicated to social change, mentorship and shattering the glass ceiling.

Fun fact: Our executive team is majority women - at a financial services company - remember the point above about Jane Fraser of Citigroup? Like I said, we're making progress! Shout out to Rose Corvo, Lou Anne Alexander, Donna Turner, Natalie Schwimer, Tracy Cheney and Suzanne Hartin for inspiring the next generation of female leaders within our company and serving female-focused organizations within their own communities.

Photo: Leaders from Early Warning at a Girls on the Run fundraiser, September 2019.

The more we bring awareness to the issues women are still facing, share stories and highlight the organizations and individuals committed to positive change, the faster we can close the gender gap. I am hopeful that as awful as 2020 has been for many, there’s a new chapter that’s emerging. One that continues to elevate women. That breaks down old systems and creates equal opportunities for women across the world.

In celebration of Day of the Girl, I’d love to hear your stories and examples of women and organizations promoting positive change. Drop a comment with your story, tag an organization and give a shout out to the women who inspire you.