Empowering Women: Celebrating Progress, Empowerment, and Equality

On March 8, International Women's Day (IWD) will shine a light on inequality and rights of all women around the globe. Clara Zetkin, a German activist, proposed the idea of IWD at the International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen. It was accepted in 1910 by over 100 women from 17 countries. This year's theme is — "Together with Thrive." This week's newsletter provides resources as we continue to lift up inequities that plague women's daily lives.

Here's what we suggest:

1. Peruse our NEWLY launched, informational-rich website.

2. Contact Us for keynotes, training, and professional development given that the MLK, Black History Month, Women's History Month, and other celebrations will inundate first quarter programming.

3. If you don't see the exact solution you need, Contact Us and we can help or make a referral.

4. Rate, review, and subscribe to the [un]phased unedited podcast.

Don't forget to catch up on our previous episode before the new one drops tomorrow! Continue to subscribe, share, and be part of our community! Happy listening! ???

Five Thoughts from SPG

1. Often the burden of "self-care" is placed upon individual women rather than society at large. Think about how we can challenge systems that make self-care necessary.

2. If you are not a woman reading this newsletter, think of a time when you have spoken highly of a woman who is unrelated to you. Do this more often.

3. Think about all the "micro" ways in which the world was NOT created for women. Restrooms. Clothing sizes. Colors. There are countless examples, so pick one that you can consistently notice and interrupt.

4. If you are not a woman reading this newsletter. Think of a woman or girl that you love, admire, and respect. Reflect on how you treat them individually. Then apply many of these principles to other women in your work place or circles of influence.

5. If you are a woman, reach out to another woman who is not completely within your demographic. For example, if you area white woman, make your business to get to know the lived experiences of non-white women.

Four Questions from SPG

1. If you are a woman — when was the last time you were spoken over, interrupted, or excluded by a man? How did you respond?

2. If you are a man and you spoke over, interrupted, or excluded a woman and were confronted about it — how did you respond?

3. How many women are in your groups, circles, or work place? Are women outnumbered? If so, explore why.

4. How can we celebrate women's achievements without overshadowing the systemic inequalities that still persist?

Three Quotes

1. "We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced." — Malala Yousafzai

2. "The best protection any woman can have is courage." — Elizabeth Cady Stanton

3. "Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world." — Hillary Clinton

Two Books

1. "The Equivalents" by Maggie Doherty. This book tells the story of five women who received fellowships at Radcliffe's Institute for Independent Study in the 1960s and formed deep bonds that inspired their most ambitious work.

2. "The Woman's Hour" by Elaine Weiss. This book recounts the dramatic events in Nashville in August 1920 when the suffragists faced fierce opposition to secure the final state needed to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment.