The McPherson Memo: The Restore and Reset Edition
McPherson Strategies
McPherson Strategies develops, amplifies and communicates corporate social impact and philanthropic initiatives.
Hello all,
By this time, it's quite apparent that there is an increasing assault on women’s rights in the U.S. Since Dobbs dismantled the constitutional right to abortion, we’ve seen state after state make access impossible, and the results have been dangerous and — quite frankly — deadly. And now, given the opportunity to enshrine access to contraception in the Constitution, the GOP declined. But even though it's demoralizing to see women's rights systematically dismantled in this way, I see hope.
After 30+ years of working to advocate for women, investing in 24 women-led startups, and leading an (unintentionally) all-women team here at McPherson, I fully and fundamentally believe that women are our future. Look around at some of the positives: Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott leading the way in philanthropy; new and thriving women’s media platforms like The Meteor, The 19th and The Persistent, a new addition to the scene, providing nuanced coverage of women’s and non-binary issues; women leaders elected in Mexico and Iceland; climate movements led by women like Project Dandelion and Women and Climate. Women are literally planting the seed for change.
Our small but mighty team is doing everything we can to support these initiatives and movements. But rest is required sustenance to keep our energy and our passion alive. Next week, we are heading to upstate New York for our annual company retreat at the beautiful Uplands Center in the Catskills to focus on restoration, connection, and celebration, as we explore ways to promote greater balance in our work and lives.
Wishing you a restful and restorative weekend ahead, and a very happy Pride Month to all.
As always,
Susan
P.S. In the spirit of women’s leadership, I share an image from my recent knee surgery, featuring an entire medical team made of women.
ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you this week by Account Executive Ellie Rogalinski, who is looking forward to traveling to New York for McPherson Strategies’ annual retreat next week.
Women Shape the Political Landscape
Last week’s historic 34-count conviction of Donald Trump could be a turning point for undecided voters, especially suburban, college-educated white women in key battleground states, spotlighting issues like abortion rights. Across the U.S., women formerly opposed to abortion are now speaking up about their challenges with accessing care and facing stigma while advocating for essential healthcare. The UN's recent We The Women survey echoes this sentiment, showing a hopeful outlook among women worldwide for their future representation in leadership. This optimism shines through in the results of June’s global elections: McPherson friend Halla Tomasdottir was elected as Iceland's second woman President, while Claudia Sheinbaum made history as Mexico's first woman president, both running against female candidates. In Iceland and Mexico, nearly half of the legislature is now women, compared to 30% in the U.S. While these landmark elections are cause for celebration in representation, we recognize that leadership doesn't always guarantee policies that benefit women.
领英推荐
Hot Girl Summer
As the first major heat wave of 2024 reaches the West, June 2 marked Heat Action Day to raise awareness of heat risks heightened by human-induced climate change, which has added an average of 26 more days of extreme heat over the last year. It's a reminder that hotter and extreme weather disproportionately affect those who can bear children, accelerating vulnerabilities like domestic violence and financial insecurity. Leaders like Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad and chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, recognize these risks and are therefore centering Indigenous Peoples in climate work, where they are already removing tons of carbon dioxide each year. Across the globe, Indigenous women remain at the forefront of leading their communities in adapting to changing climates as a means of survival.
Don’t Hide the Pride
Brands’ Pride Month campaigns could be scaling back following conservative-led boycotts last year that significantly impacted sales. Target, for instance, responded by moving its Pride displays to the back of stores and reducing its collection, disappointing customers by giving in to conservative pressure after backlash last year. Similarly, Bud Light stayed quiet this year after last year’s boycotts around their partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Before this recent backlash, companies were often more likely to face criticism for pink or rainbow washing. Despite this, many brands, like Levi Strauss & Co., Macy’s, and Lime are maintaining their commitment to authentically celebrating the LGBTQ+ community during June and beyond. Macy’s Pride campaign, in partnership with The Trevor Project, featured a heartfelt PSA with LGBTQ+ youth sharing self-acceptance moments, while Lime launched its largest global Pride campaign with Pride-wrapped vehicles to help LGBTQ+ individuals reach safe third spaces.
ON OUR RADAR
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