Long relay race for justice

On International Women’s Day, hosted by Gérald Mathieu CEO Barclays Bank Switzerland, I gave a speech to 150 young bankers about why gender equality is important for women and men. Some were with at Geneva bank HQ; others joined us by teleconference from Monaco, Dubai, Zurich and other locations around the world.

I was very excited to share stories about inspirational women like US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who began her fight for women’s rights in the 1950s when she never could’ve imagined she would one day serve on the nation’s highest court. It’s fabulous that a younger generation now calls her the “Notorious RBG” and wears T-shirts “RBG Rules!”

It’s thrilling to pass on the heritage of amazing women who came before us, so I told them about Sojourner Truth’s historic 1951 speech “Ain’t I a Woman” that still gives me goosebumps. As we were in Switzerland, I also shared stories about Swiss women leaders because I wanted them to know that there have been ordinary people doing extraordinary things in every country and in every century.?

You can watch?video?of our conversation summarized here. How are you trying to advance gender equality? Why do you think it’s important?

We all need to “see it to believe it” like in this wonderful photo of an African American girl marveling at painting of First Lady Michelle Obama in National Portrait Gallery.

I shared my own personal stories about being “the first woman” in many situations. Telling my history emboldens others to take risks and be brave for themselves and others. And, they taught me about what they do as part of Barclays’ support of the #MorePowerfulTogether movement.

Together, we explored the central theme that we each have a sacred obligation to carry the torch forward in what I call the “long relay race towards justice.” Opportunities we have now would not be possible but for the work of so many who lived long before us and paved the way. An electric energy was palpable and gratifying as these young men and women reflected on what they could achieve.

Do you do something to advance social progress? If you don’t, where might you begin?

Young people give me tremendous hope. While some “elders” may think mentoring always is something to give, I see it as a two-way street: emerging leaders teach me creative new ways to engage. They also learn from my experiences; so, we love that mutually-beneficial dynamic.

These young men and woman had provocative questions and insights about issues they grapple with like how they can co-parent children while they pursue professional careers; and what they envision as a more equitable world.

Engaging with them deeply nourished me and gave me the energy to keep on keeping on!

What nourishes you? How do you keep hope alive?

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Hosted by Gérald Mathieu, Managing Director & CEO Barclays Switzerland, welcomed by Jess Staley, Group CEO Barclays; surrounded by IWD 2019 Organizing Team Rob Edwards, Florence Fraigneau, Elena Yost, Leslie Rogers; I was invited as CEO, beCause Global Consulting, and Senior Advisor, Global Citizens Circle. | Both entities develop intergenerational, cross-sectoral dialogue | beCause helps individuals connect to their core purpose; organizations connect across silos; all connect with broad spectrum of stakeholders | GCC fosters diversity, inclusion, civil discourse to create constructive change in communities, nations and the world | This was first published on beCause blog. See video.