International Women's Day: A Day for Celebrating Women

As we celebrate International Women's Day, please enjoy my perspectives on four remarkable women leaders.

Forward

While making my final edits to this piece, I realized that there were things I wanted to say up front. My research to prepare this reminded me that each of these women have been subjected to criticism publicly or privately for being “too emotional” all while achieving success in male-dominated social and workplace environments. Each of them has likely felt the internal conflict of suppressing who they are to fit in with the men — why? Having spent many years as a single parent while raising my son, I learned to adopt a female energy at various times which I often found to be more effective. I would switch my energy to best meet the needs of my son at any given time. Although that did not make me a great mom and I wasn't very good at it, I still believe it made me a better father. There is strength and power in both male and female energies. Yet even today, women are subjected to extreme pressure to take on a male-styled persona and to suppress their femaleness in a male-dominated world. This is disrespectful and damaging at a profound level. Does the world really need more people behaving like men? And so, it is with that, I celebrate these four women.

Ursula von der Leyen

The first woman I want to talk about is Ursula von der Leyen, who was named by Forbes in 2022 and 2023 as the most powerful woman in the world. With the backdrop of the geopolitical events in Europe these recent years, I’ve watched her become a person of global strength and power that is not merely at the top of one gender, but all genders. Her influence and genuine accomplishments among a male-dominated political environment is not surprising to me, but perhaps shocking to a lot of men who don’t even know that the European Commission is led by a woman. While the United States has recommended Ursula von der Leyen for the new head of NATO to be appointed later this year, she seems more interested in running again for head of the European Commission. If she continues her path, she has set her sights on establishing a new EU military and defensive power that will not back down to aggressive tyranny. Anyone who has ever said out loud or had the thought that something is too tough a job for a woman has not been in the presence of Ursula von der Leyen.

Kaja Kallas

Not as well known, but another woman to watch in 2024 is Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of Estonia. In a country where the President, a man, is merely a figurehead with little power, Kaja Kallas is the leader with the true power. Despite scandals created by the activities of her husband, she has not stepped down and has instead risen to be a force representing the strength of democracy beyond the Baltic states. As I write that, I do want to point out that the nouns “man” and “scandal” seem to occur together all too often in modern society. That aside, Kaja Kallas is a serious consideration to replace Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General of NATO. Not surprisingly, the current lead candidate is yet another man, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Since its founding, NATO has never been led by a woman. Fortunately, a comment not long ago was made by Mark Rutte saying “it would be very positive” having a woman as the next head of NATO. The only concern about Kaja Kallas is that her level of toughness might be too strong. I believe this narrative is driven by a few men with a generalized fear of the power of a woman. Kaja Kallas is resolute and growing her international support in a world where the unique strength of women is greatly needed.

Kamala Harris

While we sit and watch our own country’s declining flawed democracy (I’m referencing historical democracy ratings by The Economist), we are once again watching men fight it out for President of the United States. Listening to NPR radio is my salvation from the droning on about this rematch. Through my own research and listening to NPR’s excellent reporting, I’ve gained more insight to Kamala Harris. Ranked by Forbes as the third most powerful woman in the world, I’m still frustrated that Kamala Harris is not saying every word she intended to say when speaking publicly. Her speeches are reported to be toned down by the administration. What I mean is that we are not seeing the full strength of Kamala Harris publicly, and I believe that is wrong. It was during an NPR interview that I gained a much deeper appreciation and insight into Kamala Harris. Presidential politics aside, Kamala Harris is a compassionate and determined woman who has and will continue to inspire future generations while fighting to protect freedom and rights of women — a message that is heard beyond our country’s borders.

Dolores Munch (A More Personal Perspective)

International Women's Day is a time when I also reflect on the amazing women and the impact of their friendship, guidance, empathy, and strength in my life. That brings me to the fourth woman I want to talk about today — my mother, Dolores Munch, who lives on in my memories and those of the many lives she enriched and inspired during her lifetime.

One day soon after I was 15 years old, my mother told me that she was done and that the compass to guide me was set. My mother had instilled values of compassion, equality, inclusion, loyalty, perseverance, service, and strength. She also mentioned that she wasn’t making my dinner anymore, and that I was fully capable of making my own pizza or reheating leftovers. Later that evening I found her in her usual spot reading a mystery novel and snacking on a bowl of popcorn she had made. I went over to grab a handful only to get my hand pushed away and told in no uncertain terms by her, “this is mine now, go make your own.” Yes, that was my wake-up call to this new reality. When she said something changed, she was clear, concise, and never backed down even to a whiney teenager just wanting some of her popcorn.

Throughout my life, I never saw my mother back down from anything she thought needed to change. When she wanted things changed at the school we attended, she got the women together, nominated my father who was immediately elected president of the PTA, and set to work. Like Estonia, the president of the PTA where my brothers and I went to school was a figurehead with little power.

As I became a management consultant early in my career traveling internationally, I would often talk with my mom about my worries and challenges at work. Even into my thirties when I started my first company just days after the birth of my son, she was still helping to guide me although mostly by listening and asking questions. During what amounted to thousands of phone conversations with her over the years, my mother taught me what true leadership and being of service means. Today, I still hear her voice saying “well, why not?” whenever I feel doubt. Her unwavering strength to keep moving forward will always be a part of me.

#JoelMunch #truthofleadership #internationalwomensday #inspireinclusion #IWD2024

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