When Women Lead, Results Follow

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This past week was monumental for me. I was officially sworn in as a Village Commissioner in the community I moved to just three years ago. Public service has always been central to who I am, rooted in lessons I learned under the late Dr. Adelle Sanders at Governor State University where I studied social work and specifically, social welfare policy under her guidance. It was there I first realized how public policy shapes lives—a realization that continues to fuel my passion today.

I also attended the 21st Century Seneca Falls Town Hall, hosted by RepresentWomen, which honored the legacy of the original 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. Back then, women were denied basic rights—barred from voting, owning property, or participating in public life. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and others boldly declared their right to equality through the Declaration of Sentiments. Yet, even as they fought for justice, Black women and other marginalized groups were excluded—a painful reminder of how long deeply systemic barriers have shaped women’s fight for equality

While much progress has been made since Seneca Falls, the barriers remain, though they may look different today. Women are still underrepresented in leadership roles and continue to face pay inequities and legislative battles over bodily autonomy. As Audre Lorde said, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” This truth demands that we keep pushing forward, ensuring that all women’s voices are heard and respected.

Your Vote Matters—Don’t Be Fooled

Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have to create change. If voting didn’t matter, there wouldn’t be such well-funded efforts to suppress it—like reducing polling locations which creates hardships for those with transportation barriers, forces some voters to choose between casting a ballot or having to take time off work for the commute and lengthy wait in line, or criminalizing voter support evident by such laws forbidding the distribution of water to voters waiting in long lines.? Giving someone water to drink is an act of humanity and should not be viewed as an infraction of the law.

The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” When any community is silenced, the very foundation of justice is compromised. Your vote ensures that the future reflects equity, fairness, and inclusion.

Expanding Representation Through Ranked Choice Voting

Efforts to advance women's leadership must go beyond breaking individual barriers. Several organizations working to implement reforms include:? Represent Women, Vote Run Lead, Emerge, She Should Run, Vote Mama, Black Votes Matter, and more.? These organizations are led by trailblazing women such as Cynthia Richie Terrell (RW), Erin Vilardi (VRL), and A’Shanti F. Gholar (Emerge) to name a few.??

One tool is Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) which serves as an innovative electoral reform that has gained traction as a way to amplify women's voices and representation in leadership. Research shows that RCV reduces the impact of negative campaigning, which disproportionately harms women candidates. It also allows voters to rank multiple candidates, encouraging more women to run and creating opportunities for diverse leadership by leveling the playing field.

Several cities and states have already implemented RCV, and expanding its use is a key strategy to ensure that leadership reflects the communities it serves. With more inclusive voting systems, America can build a political landscape where women, especially women of color, can thrive and lead.

Women Get Sh*t Done

Decades of research confirm what many of us know intuitively: women get sh*t done. Women lead with empathy, collaboration, and resilience—qualities that drive both innovation and sustainable success. Organizations with women at the helm report stronger financial outcomes, better employee satisfaction, and cultures that foster emotional intelligence and inclusion.

Women carry these qualities into every part of life—nurturing families, supporting their partners, working in communities, and excelling in their careers. We are not just human; we are supernatural, balancing life’s complexities with strength and grace. When women lead, progress follows.

A Time for Action—No Matter the Outcome

With only 8 days until the presidential election, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This election will define the future we build for generations to come. No matter what happens, I know I will be in tears. My hope is that those tears will come from joy—joy that signals real progress, where women’s voices are heard, respected, and amplified. But even if those tears come from sadness, I will not be discouraged. The fight for justice, equity, and democracy will continue, and so will I.

Crown On, Sneakers Laced, Heels Clicking and Barriers Breaking: Let’s Do This!

Frederick Douglass has a quote about power, “Power concedes nothing without a demand.”? So, here’s the bottom line: The world isn’t going to change by itself—it’s going to change because we take the required action to precipitate change. We’ve got places to go, ceilings to shatter, and systems to disrupt. Whether it’s in the boardroom,? at the ballot box, or in the streets, when women lead, things get done. And trust me, there’s no time like right now.

So lace up those shoes, straighten those crowns, adjust in your heels, and sharpen those elbows—because we’re moving, shaking, and breaking barriers all the way to the top. The future doesn’t wait, and neither should we.

Let the women lead. It’s our time for bold vision and real results.

Sources:

Fisher College of Business

Alliance Manchester Business School

RepresentWomen