International Women's Day 2023: Representation Matters
- KP
- Mar 8, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 20
Over the past decade I have been in the supply chain tech industry, I have witnessed a change happening. What started as a common occurrence of being the solo female – and hearing that sentiment shared by many other women – in a room, at a conference, presenting at a meeting, has shifted into decreasingly common situation. This International Women’s Day, I spent time to reflect on what I have learned as being not only part of that change but a catalyst and advocate for it.
Be kind with your words, particularly if you are not a majority voice, and especially if it is regarding another person. If you would not be alright to say those words directly to the person you are speaking about, then perhaps rethink whether you should say them. When women speak ill of each other, particularly to male colleagues, it undermines everyone, not just the target of the words.
Never be afraid to say something if something doesn’t feel right or if someone does or says something inappropriate or that they would not to a person of their own identity or gender. Not speaking up creates an environment of silence and tolerance for discrimination and impacts everyone. By speaking up, it shows that it can be done and that holding people accountable is accepted.
Build and use your network. Being able to get an opinion about how to handle a situation, guidance on how to have a difficult conversation, insight on working for companies or managers, and just being able to get support is incredibly invaluable.
If you have the opportunity to work for a woman, do it. Men can be incredible allies and are critical to career growth but ultimately will simply not have the same lived experience as a woman in this industry. Nothing can replace the insights and knowledge learned by a great female leader.
It’s time to stop using terms like “girl boss”, “female CEO”, and “boss babe” and start normalizing CEO, owner, founder, boss. If you wouldn’t put “male” in front of a position men have, don’t do that to women.
You will be underestimated, sometimes more often than not. Find those who believe in you, give you a fair shot, and lift you up. Those are the keepers. And when you have the chance, do it for them as well.
Never change or compromise who you are. If a manager, company, or colleague wants you be something you are not, tell them, as Elyse Meyers says, “GO FIND LESS.”
Embedded in these lessons emerge a theme; representation matters to fully embrace equity. To create more space for others and continue the upward trend of inclusion, we need a seat at the boardroom table. If we are going to continue to add chairs to the table, we must bring each other along in a respectful, kind, and empowering way. Those who dream often take inspiration from those who have started blazing a path; no one is welcome until all are welcome.
What lessons have you learned?
If you are looking for a forum for women leaders in supply chain, I created a LinkedIn group:
hashtag#embraceequity hashtag#womeninsupplychain hashtag#womenleaders hashtag#internationalwomensday hashtag#IWD2023
**The views expressed in this article are mine alone and do not represent the views of any employer, past or present.
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