IWD2021: Where We've Been and How Far We Have Left to Go

Lynn Loacker, Project W Founder

When I began practicing law 40 years ago, I was routinely asked to get coffee, called things that are unimaginable by today’s standards, and taken off a transaction because a client didn’t want a woman running his deal – and, that’s just to name a few such indignities.  On the other hand, there were countless courageous women who paved the way for me and enlightened men who opened doors that would have otherwise closed.  During Women’s History Month, I celebrate the progress we have made and honor the trailblazing women on whose shoulders we all stand.  But I remain frustrated by how painfully slow and incremental that progress has been.  Why are there so few women in the board room?  Why are there so few women running public companies? Why do female founders only get 2.2% of the billions in venture capital?  And, why hasn’t the legal profession achieved gender parity in the partnership ranks?   We have work to do.

Tanea Foglia, Project W Leader

As a Black woman and mother, I have experienced immense sorrow and tremendous joy over the last year. My heart broke along with so many others as I watched George Floyd call out for his own mother with his dying breaths, and as I mourned over the untapped potential of Breonna Taylor. And my heart swelled with joy as I watched Kamala Harris be sworn in as the first female vice president. 

On this International Women’s Day,

I #ChooseToChallenge myself to lift up other women of color. For every professional step I take forward, I will bring women and girls of color along with me.

I #ChooseToChallenge my two brilliant, dynamic multiracial children to not see themselves as two halves but to fully embrace the wholes of the cultures they are so fortunate to embody. 

I #ChooseToChallenge our community to not forget all of the pain we’ve experienced, and progress we’ve made, in the last year. Despite once again having a person of color in the White House, there is much to mend in our country and we cannot let a few gains overshadow the inequities that still exist.

Molly Klein, Project W Leader

Today, on International Women’s Day, I want to virtually high five all working moms. I was primarily raised by a single mother with severe mental health issues, who jumped from job to job, but wanted nothing more than to raise a daughter who could live a stable life. I was pushed, like it or not, to work my butt off to first survive, and then to live the life that used to seem completely out of reach. Now, I’m raising a son and daughter in their formative years, and I want them to see me working to make a difference in my life and theirs. I know many women that have major guilt about leaving their children to go to work, or for traveling too much, etc., but I’ve always been proud to say goodbye to my kids in the morning knowing that I’m setting the example that I want to. And they know that I get immense self-satisfaction from my profession. I always have. Whether it was at my first job at 14 scooping ice cream at the Husky Deli in West Seattle or in my current role as the Director of Marketing of an AmLaw 100 law firm, and a leader in our women’s initiative, Project W.

So, fellow working moms, happy IWD. You’re doing a great job, whatever it may be.

Neda Riskin, Project W Program Manager

At this point, we are all aware of the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on women. As a working mother of a two year old, I know what it feels like to be stretched too thin, feeling stressed when it’s not all done, all while juggling the perpetual ‘mom guilt’ that I’m still not doing enough. But, at the same time, I know that I’m not alone in my struggles. I stand with countless women around the world who have shouldered the extra load of the pandemic for the sake of their family’s survival. Instead of real structural solutions and policies, we have relied on the invisible and unpaid labor of women to help get us through the pandemic. My hope is that 2021 will finally bring women the support they deserve and so desperately need from the institutions, employers, partners and communities that they have helped keep afloat and create enormous value for.