“Lessons from our Mothers” and Other Ingredients for Women’s Continued Advancement

Co-authored with Gina Loften, Vice President and CTO, US Services at Microsoft 

As we approach Mother’s Day this year, we do so during a unique time in our world’s history. It is a perfect time to appreciate the women who taught us how to handle this type of adversity and to reflect on their wisdom. 

During this 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, there is much that we find encouraging, yet also much work remains. Women hold only 26% of roles in the technology industry and even fewer are minority women – 3% of black women and 1% of Hispanic women. With much ground yet to cover, the  strides of the last 100 years  motivates us for the progress we have yet to accomplish. 

At the Kitchen Table 

While our stories are different in many ways, we (Gina and Tracy) both had strong female role models as beacons to both aspire to and depend on. In both our experiences, these heroines are largely responsible for where we are today. 

When I (Tracy) was young, I did my homework at the kitchen table. I remember working on math problems, looking up occasionally to ponder an exceptionally difficult question, and being met with the image of my hero (my mother) surrounded by papers and concentrating on her own coursework. After becoming a middle school teacher, my mother pressed on to finish her MBA and Ph.D. in Education, ultimately retiring as a Dean of Education. She accomplished all of this while working full-time and caring for four children. Her support and encouragement were crucial contributing factors to my success.

I (Gina) would also do homework at my kitchen table. My mom was attending college to become a teacher, and I would sit across from her, imagining that one day, I too would have big college papers to write. She taught elementary school for 30 years and was also an administrator at the Jackie Robinson Center for Physical Culture – an afterschool program based in Brooklyn, New York for “latch-key” children. She always stressed the importance of education and service -- challenging me to excel in both pursuits. I went on to attend the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and major in Electrical Engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. 

 "Our mothers taught us that courage, hard work, and accepting adversity with open arms are fundamental elements of success."

It all starts with Courage  

As a black woman in tech, I (Gina) had to learn to accept -- and even enjoy -- that I was going to be immersed in uncharted territory. At times, my journey was supported by mentors that helped me navigate career decisions; at other times, I had to find my way, listen to my voice, and trust my own decisions -- all elements of courage that originated from my mom. She taught me that success and growth aren’t found in comfort zones… Dreams aren’t realized without risk and courage.

These words were helpful when I was inevitably one of the few women in a sea of men in the early days of my career in technology. Later, in my leadership positions, I was often the only person of color in the decision-making room. I knew I needed to find the courage to use my voice -- knowing deep down that the presence of diverse opinions ultimately strengthens a team. 

Take Risks, Become Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable 

Our mothers embodied personal growth and underscored that such growth can only have roots in adversity. They both took risks and sacrificed heavily for us and our siblings. They taught us that there will be times when things won’t work out the way we envisioned. They taught us to keep going. 

Failure is scary. But we cannot let that fear get in the way of young women’s growth. Failing is part of the journey -- it teaches us how to approach things differently, how to learn from mistakes, and (most importantly) how to get back up.  

Envision Yourself Leading in the Future 

Fortunately for us, our moms were incredible standard-bearers -- both academics, advocates for education, and incredible care-givers, they showed us how far commitment, courage, struggle, and imagination could take us. 

This type of role model should be accessible to all women. That’s why it’s critical for us all to lead by example, advocate for visibility, and to pave the way for future leaders. History matters. Bringing stories to light – like the groundbreaking work of Katherine Johnson at NASA in the movie Hidden Figures – shows young girls that their possibilities are endless (even if their desired career doesn't fully exist yet). 

"When we shine a light on such stories and bring successful women to schools, communities, and organizations, we expand young girls’ minds and permit them to dream."

Advocate for Broad Investment 

Finally, there must be an ongoing commitment from the “surrounding” institutions – corporate and government -- to support and invest in female entrepreneurship and innovation. 

At the corporate level, that means a commitment to sponsorship and allyship from those of us who are in positions of influence – whether that is thought leadership, hiring and recruiting, or financial investment. Supporting women means creating a culture that promotes inclusive and equitable opportunities. 

 Our company, Microsoft, supports an incredible organization called the Global Give Back Circle. It provides a simple way for influential women in business and technology to mentor girls around the world and support their futures. We need more of these. 

We need more initiatives, like those led by Melinda Gates, that focus on accelerating innovation and investment for women in underserved areas -- pioneering collaborative approaches like the Gender Equality in Tech (GET) Cities initiative. 

On this Mother’s Day weekend during a year that recognizes a Century of progress for women, we encourage you to honor the women in your life and the roads they've paved. Whether it is your mother, an aunt, a mentor, or yourself, join us in committing to a brighter future. Together, we can build an environment where progress can continue to bloom. When courage, mentorship, and risk-taking are abundant, young women everywhere can lead the next wave of innovation and pass the baton to future generations -- helping us all.