Don't Tell Me How You Support Women, Show Me

Of all the posts and statistics that I saw on yesterday's International Women's Day the one that was most shocking to me is perhaps the most obvious. This is the fact that women are still making about $.80 to every dollar a man makes is still shocking to me. Sadly, this inequity just increases for women of color and even women who have children.

Yesterday was a day of celebration but also an acknowledgment that though we've come so far, there is so much work to be done. How do we make sure this day isn't just an opportunity for virtue-signaling but a chance to draw awareness to the many ways that individuals and organizations can support gender parity?

Educate Your Children on Gender Parity

Discouraging traditional gender roles in which a little girl's only aim is to become a wife and a mother and where little boys can only work in traditionally male roles is a start. Depending on the age of your children, it can be very simple or more complicated for older children. I'm a mom of two little boys ages three and five so I often do this by encouraging them to show their emotions, it's just as important to listen as it is to be heard, and by emphasizing that men and women can both be anything they want to be. And yes, this includes being a stay-at-home parent if that truly is a person's goal in life, not just a default option because of the astronomical cost of childcare.

I'm proud to come from a line of strong women, like my Nana who served in the Women's Army Corps during WWII.

Become a Mentor - Formally or Informally

You don't have to be a parent to help set the next generation on the right path toward gender equity. Mentoring young people in your workplace, church, or community can be very impactful. Mentoring can give a young person confidence, build professional networks, and open the doors to leadership. Mentorship doesn't have to be formal to be impactful. Simply taking a young woman out for coffee or lunch a few times a year can be huge.

Be the Change You Want to See... No, Really!

In writing, you'll often hear editors say "show, don't tell." That means don't just say "we support women in leadership", show how you do it. So how do you do it? For me, I'm dedicated to showing my boys that they can be anything they want to be, the same way their female counterparts can. We read books like "Hidden Figures" and "The Magic School Bus" that show examples of strong women in STEM careers. And by taking a chance on myself by starting my own business, I hope to demonstrate that strength and courage aren't gender-specific.

My Wish for The Future

I hope that by the time my boys are grown, women no longer under-earn them, women have an equal seat at the table (whichever table they choose), and women are able to rest in their knowledge that they are capable, worthy, world-changers. Let's make it happen!