Written by Kristen Fall, '22SPS, Executive M.S. in Strategic Communication
In honor of Women’s History Month, it’s remarkable to look back at the progress of what has been achieved for women in the workplace and exciting to imagine the milestones yet to come.
Today’s workplace is very different from the one I entered 22 years ago. The patriarchal society of yesterday witnessed fierce competition for women to secure highly sought-after jobs, especially in science, technology, finance, and executive roles. Today, the modern workplace enjoys an increasingly more diverse group of talented individuals who achieve through collective goals, open innovation, and collaboration. It’s not perfect, but then again, evolution is an infinite process.
My parents were the first generation in their families to go to college. I grew up in a two-family house with my Italian American side of the family. There were 10 of us living on those two floors. For 18 years, I was the only granddaughter on that side of the family.
My grandmother, Kate Gillio (pictured above), was a larger-than-life personality. She was feisty and funny, but she was smart and savvy as well. She never completed high school, and her only job experience was when she worked in a factory while my grandfather was in the war or at her father’s candy store when she was young.
I vividly remember one Thanksgiving about 30 years ago, after we finished eating, all the men in the family left the table to watch football and discuss politics and the economy. All the women set about clearing the dishes and setting up for dessert. I was helping my mom when my grandmother pulled me away and said, “You go sit with the men.” That was a powerful moment for me. I don’t know if grandmother knew things were changing for women or if she simply wanted them to be different for me. For the first time, I understood that I had a choice of where I could be and what I wanted to be doing. The gender roles that prevailed, even in the most loving of households, were not fixed.
One Thanksgiving... I was helping my mom when my grandmother pulled me away and said, 'You go sit with the men.'... I don’t know if grandmother knew things were changing for women or if she simply wanted them to be different for me. For the first time, I understood that I had a choice of where I could be and what I wanted to be doing. The gender roles that prevailed, even in the most loving of households, were not fixed."
As a classic overachiever, I worked hard for my GPA, extracurricular activities, and accomplishments. I never wanted to be judged based upon my gender. I wanted to be viewed as an EQUAL and seen for my ideas, talents, work ethic, and character. Sometimes people will ask me for “a woman’s perspective.” It’s complicated to answer because, although I happen to be a woman, yes, and getting a woman’s perspective is always a great idea, I don’t think I represent everyone in my gender. I passionately and respectfully disagree with some of my fellow women on lots of things. We should celebrate women but NEVER ASSUME we are homogenous in any other way. We are complex and diverse.
In fact, there is as much diversity among women as there is in the world in general — bold, humble, genteel, rebellious, rich, poor, conservative, liberal, etc. We don’t all feel, think or act the same and we don’t all want the same things. It is as noble and inspiring to be single as it is to be married, to have a family and work in the home or to balance motherhood and a career. It is ok to not have children and it is ok to not want a high-powered career. It is also ok to want to be the President or Chair of the Board. We can be powerful and inspire others in many different roles in society and in the workplace, and we have proven that we are without limits.
A quick scan of powerful women leaders proves my point.
Queen Elizabeth I
“Though the sex to which I belong is considered weak you will nevertheless find me a rock that bends to no wind.” Elizabeth was as powerful and effective as any king before her but, at the same time, she was quick-witted, clever, and able to use feminine wiles to get her own way.
Ada Lovelace
The daughter of Lord Byron and a charming woman of society, Ada Lovelace is most famous for being the first person ever to publish an algorithm intended for a computer, her genius being years ahead of her time. “That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal; as time will show.”
Marie Curie
Marie Curie, who was born in Poland, is one of two people and the first woman to receive Nobel Prizes for two sciences — one for physics and the other for chemistry.
Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony was a Women’s Suffrage leader and champion of abolition, labor rights, and equal pay.
Dr. Orna Berry
Dr. Orna Berry is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, businesswoman, and Israel’s first Chief Scientist.
Dr. Mae Jemison
Dr. Mae Jemison is the first African American female astronaut and the first to travel space. She was also a medical doctor who served with the Peace Corps.
Indra Nooyi
Indra Nooyi is PepsiCo’s first female Chief Executive; during her tenure, she increased revenue by 80%. She reflected on the difficulties she saw with raising a family and running a Fortune 500 company, acknowledging it’s “rarely possible” to be a perfect mother, wife, and professional at the same time.
Malala Yousafzai
We need only hear the name Malala to be reminded that education and opportunity are not to be taken for granted. At age 15, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for her girls’ education advocacy in her native country, Pakistan. Malala’s work as an education activist led her to become the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner. Today, she continues her campaign through the Malala Fund, breaking down the barriers preventing more than 130 million girls around the world from going to school.
Maya Angelou
Leaders don’t just direct us to success, but they inspire prolific change in us. Leaders who inspire us to move us to action and stir inner motivation. They are naturally charismatic and inspire us to make change happen. Civil rights activist, poet, and award-winning author Maya Angelou is an example of this type of leader. She is the first African American and the first woman to read a poem at a presidential inauguration. She is followed by the remarkable Amanda Gorman who instantly captured our hearts with her positive vision of a unified nation.
Marillyn Hewson
We have seen powerful women who are visionaries that set a course of direction for a company, an organization or a nation, and set people and systems in motion to achieve success. Ranked Fortune’s Most Powerful Woman, Marillyn Hewson is Chairman, President, and CEO of America’s biggest defense firm, Lockheed Martin. Under her leadership, Lockheed has seen stocks surge more than 310% and its market capitalization expand to $108 billion from just under $30 billion.
These are just a few women pioneers. There are many more wonderful examples of women leaders to highlight, and many of these remarkable individuals are in our local communities and within our own organizations. We must continue to build on this progress globally and universally across all sectors and beginning at a young age.
As we strengthen those we lead, we, ourselves, are also strengthened. ... Lift up those who look to you for opportunity and create a pipeline for equality and success within your department, your community and your home."
We can and must continue to build a pipeline of talented women leaders. Through mentorship programs, we can continue to collect even more historic milestones. I have personally witnessed the power of mentorship. At the beginning of my career as a young female banker at Lazard, I was paired with the President of the firm for weekly mentoring meetings, frequently in the Executive Boardroom. It was a powerful experience and fed my drive to aim high and my belief in future advancement. Career changes, personal challenges, and a decision to pursue my graduate degree at Columbia University were all supported by mentors. Compelled to give back, for the past 18 years, I have served as a mentor for New Hope, a nonprofit organization that supports women in crisis and their children for 3 years, providing them with 1:1 mentor, basic necessities like food, clothing, housing and transportation assistance, and scholarships and job training. We have assisted in the incredible transformations of our clients, such as Christine, who through our support and scholarships is now a pediatric nurse and Chiara who went from a homeless shelter to business school, all while raising twins on her own. Being a consistent and steady force beside someone keeps them moving in the right direction and acts as a shield to protect them when there is an inevitable detour on the way. These women, and many others, have returned to New Hope to pay it forward as mentors themselves.
To quote Ruth Dayan, Israeli Businesswoman and social activist, “I think that the struggle for women’s equality needs to be waged not only by women but by men and women together.” I love this quote. We are in this together.
In my current role as an educator, I so clearly see talent and potential in my students, but so many of them lack the confidence and they struggle to believe they have what it takes to get the job. It is critical that we encourage the younger generations to believe in their abilities and to provide them with support along the way.
As we strengthen those we lead, we, ourselves, are also strengthened. Together we can collectively and individually aim higher or simply aim in a new direction to drive towards continued progress. Lift up those who look to you for opportunity and create a pipeline for equality and success within your department, your community, and your home. I am optimistic for the future and appreciate this opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate women’s leadership.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any other person or entity.