A November to Remember
Election Day 2022 may be the most pivotal of our lifetime. Roe vs. Wade's reversal signals that rights protected by settled law are not secure. Additionally, the unimaginable action was a shot across the privacy bow. Personal life decisions, like who one loves (and how), who one wants to have a family with (and when), and even lifesaving medical procedures will increasingly be up for public debate, judicial review, and regulation at all government levels.??
As I read and hear comments made by male pundits and public office holders, it is increasingly evident that it's not just at the political level do we need more female voices. We need more women in government, STEM, and business to keep pressure on for change that protects all. Here are three reasons why I believe this is true based on my many years of experience as a woman leader.
Women have different experiences that lead to richer perspectives and better solutions??
Women make up half of the population but hold only 27% of seats in Congress and?28% of corporate board seats. Just 8% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women (with less than 1% being women of color). And only about a third of senior leadership positions are held by women, despite representing more than half the workforce. Our unique experiences as students, professionals (at every age and stage), life partners, mothers, and caretakers give us a different perspective that is desperately needed in leadership positions. Too often, policies are made without input from the people who will be most affected by them. The rollback of Roe and the devastating ripple effect on life and death health decisions women have faced in its recent wake could not underscore this more. If we want policies that protect our families and us, we need more women in every place of power and influence to make those decisions.
Similarly, if we want scientific and medical advances that improve the health and longevity of women (and related government policies and regulations), we need more women in STEM. Women are currently underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math.
And because we want to empower women to have not just bodily autonomy but economic too, as women, we must throw our support behind those who champion female entrepreneurship and female-friendly corporate environments. This means electing female leaders who will fight for women at work, and those of us in the business world, need to unite in our efforts to affect change within organizations. When we are united and do not allow rhetoric to divide us, we are a force for good.
When women's rights are at risk, human rights are at risk too
We know that women's issues go beyond reproductive rights, although those are critically top of mind in this volatile moment. Women's rights are the bell weather for human rights. We need every woman (and anyone who has a woman they care about in their life) to fight for issues that will have a universal impact: equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare, an end to sexual harassment and assault, and quality public education for all children regardless of zip code. We need to elect leaders who understand that these issues are not "women's issues" but human issues that affect us all. When women do well, everyone does well.
Women have made progress, but there's still more work to be done??
We've seen what happens when we have a seat at the table: progress. Over 100 women were elected to Congress in the last election cycle alone. And in 2022, more women are running for Governor than at any time in history. But we cannot stop now. The last year has shown us how close we are to losing the hard-fought ground we gained.?
While dubbing November Roevember is undoubtedly on point, this election is a make-or-break moment for women in America. We need to get out and vote like never before if we want to protect our rights and safeguard our future. And, along with voting, let's channel the momentum to encourage more women to run for office; to step up and lead in society and at work; to encourage more girls to pursue STEM and business; and for all of us to use our voices, energy, and talent to demand change. Together, we can create a world that values all women equally and allows us to reach our full potential.
Let’s make this a November to remember for the right reasons. With so much at stake—from healthcare to education to workplace equality—we have to vote and then continue to organize and mobilize as if our lives depend on it. Because they do.