Happy International Women's Day!
Today, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women worldwide. This day reminds us of the progress we've made toward gender equality and calls us to continue striving for a more equitable and just society.
I have had the privilege of working with many inspiring women who break barriers and make a difference in their organizations and communities. As I well remember, when the first women were allowed to join the Armed Forces in 2000, I have also seen firsthand the challenges women face in the workplace, from biases and stereotypes to systemic barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
But despite these challenges, women continue to thrive and excel in all fields, from politics and business to sports and the arts. In honor of Women's Day, I would like to share some of my favorite quotes from women:
"I never dreamed about success. I worked for it." - Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder, the founder of the eponymous cosmetics company, is a true inspiration for women in business. She reminds us that success is not a matter of luck or talent but of hard work, determination, and perseverance. Women can achieve anything they set their minds to.
"Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation." - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
No one more than Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a late Supreme Court Justice and champion of women's rights, understood that true equality requires legal protection and cultural change. How some countries, especially in Northern Europe, have shown women will only achieve full equality once men take an equal role in parenting and caregiving.
"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." - Alice Walker
Alice Walker, the author of "The Color Purple," understands the power of self-belief. We have the power to shape our lives, reminding us of our progress towards gender equality. Throughout history, societal expectations and ingrained biases have often led women to believe their voices and actions hold little weight, like a self-imposed glass ceiling, hindering them from reaching their full potential.
“You can't control the behavior of other people, but you can control how you react to it.” – Michelle Obama
One of my favorite concepts. It's easy to feel discouraged or powerless in the face of discrimination, harassment, or inequality. However, you can choose how we respond to these experiences. You can choose to speak up, take action, and advocate for yourself and others. You can choose to approach difficult situations with empathy, courage, and resilience.
“A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman.” – Melinda Gates
Our voices are our most powerful tools for creating change and advocating for ourselves and others. Whether in the boardroom, the classroom, or our personal lives, we can speak up, share our ideas, and stand up for our beliefs. However, many women around the world are still silenced or marginalized, and their voices are not heard. It's our responsibility to amplify these voices and ensure that all women have the opportunity to express themselves freely and without fear.
Today is a day of celebration for all Women, but we still need to remember the work that still needs to be done because we need a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive and succeed.