Why March 8th is such a special day, worth celebrating!
Two years ago today Ardent Staffing Solutions was officially launched. It was International Women’s Day, which was kind of a badass day to launch if I do say so myself!Globally, International Women’s day is dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also serves as a call to action for gender equality and women’s rights. Personally, I dedicate this day to the women who have inspired me, supported me and continue to walk with me on my journey to make my dreams possible.
At its core International Women’s Day is about women in business. The first National Women’s Day was celebrated in 1909 in New York City. It was organized to honor a women’s labor strike that had taken place the previous year. The event was attended by over 15,000 people and was marked by rallies, speeches, and demonstrations. In 1975, the United Nations recognized International Women’s Day as an official holiday, and since then, it has been celebrated in countries all over the world. Today, the meaning of the day has grown, but still has a focus on women in business, highlighting their contributions, challenges, and opportunities for growth.
Crazy to think that not that long ago didn’t have the chance to own a company let alone ever think it was possible yet in my lifetime I have seen:
- Title IX of the Education Amendments signed into law by President Richard Nixon prohibiting discrimination based on sex among other things.
- The Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding a woman’s right to an abortion
- Tennis great Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in straight sets during an exhibition match aired on primetime TV and drawing 90 million viewers.
- Sandra Day O’Connor sworn in by President Ronald Reagan as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.
- Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale named U.S. Rep. Geraldine Ferraro (N.Y.) as his running mate, making her the first woman vice president nominee by a major party.
- Janet Reno was sworn in as the first female attorney general of the United States.
- Madeleine Albright sworn in as the nation’s first female secretary of state.
- The Violence Against Women Act was signed providing funding for programs that help victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, stalking and other gender-related violence.
- The Military ban against women serving in combat positions was removed.
- Hillary Clinton received a presidential nomination from a major political party.
- Kamala Harris was elected as the first female Vice President of the United States.
Today, women-owned businesses are on the rise: According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, women are starting businesses at a faster rate than men in many countries. In fact, women own 42% of all businesses in the United States.
Women-led companies perform well: Research has shown that companies with women in leadership positions tend to perform better financially than those without. A study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that companies with at least 30% women in leadership positions have a net profit margin that is 6% higher than companies with no women in leadership positions.
Still…
- Women face challenges in accessing funding: Despite the growth in women-owned businesses, women entrepreneurs often struggle to access funding. In the United States, for example, women-led startups receive just 2.3% of venture capital funding.
- The gender pay gap persists: In many countries, women earn less than men for doing the same job. According to the World Economic Forum, the global gender pay gap is 16%, meaning that women earn, on average, 84 cents for every dollar earned by men.
- Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions: Women are still underrepresented in leadership positions in many industries. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, women make up just 18% of C-suite executives in the United States.
Personally, some of my most incredible mentors have been women. My mother was a poor farmer. She was the third child of an immigrant family and she worked her proverbial butt off for the opportunity to go to Radcliffe College (The women’s sister college to Harvard). She was strong, yet soft, fearless yet kind, incredibly smart yet enormously humble. She lived her Faith and led with compassion. She believed in me, supported me, encouraged me and when I slowed she gently pushed me forward. Because of my Mother, I am a better human.
I also have an incredible “Tribe”. This group of amazing women are more than friends. They are warriors, fighters, mothers, therapists, comedians, caregivers, singers, Human Resources professionals, veterinarians, sales people, teachers, and entrepreneurs. Everyday this ragtag band of crazies brings love and laughter to my life. Because of my Tribe, I am a better mother and friend.
I am blessed with four, amazing, smart, and uniquely fabulous daughters who make my life complete and are the single most important source of pride in my life. Because of my children, I am just better all around.
And at Ardent Staffing, I am fortunate enough to work with some fantastic women. Our team is creative, smart, resourceful, diligent and a whole lot of fun. We work in synch with one another, celebrating each other’s accomplishments, pushing one another, and believing in one another. Their commitment to Ardent Staffing drives me forward and together we are unstoppable. Because of my team, I am a better leader, recruiter, and dreamer. They make everything seem possible.
