International Women’s Day #Inspireinclusion #Investinwomen
Tami Erwin
Technology Executive | Former EVP & CEO, Verizon | Board Director: NYSE, NASDAQ & Private Equity | Transformation Leader | DEI & Sustainability Champion
Someday, I hope we won’t need this day to celebrate, but for now, the importance of International Women's Day remains critical. We've made great progress and yet, we have so far yet to go.
One of my favorite iconic female leaders is Sandra Day O'Connor. Born in 1930, she was raised on a 200k acre family farm in Arizona before attending Stanford University, graduating in the top 10% of her class from law school. Upon graduation, she attempted to find a job but faced amazing gender discrimination before she accepted the only offer she was given: work for free and sit in the secretary pool.
She went on to persevere and had a long and successful law career in AZ before accepting a role in the US Senate. She had a reputation as being moderate and a skilled negotiator. In 1981, President Reagan appointed her as the first female Supreme Court Justice where she served for 24 years before retiring to spend time with her husband who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. She raised 3 boys and was a breast cancer survivor. In 2009, President Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Honor. What an amazing career despite the never-ending gender discrimination she faced throughout her career.
And yet, today, <10% of women hold CEO roles in the US. Why is that? Women are graduating from college at a higher rate than men and with degrees that position them to lead in their industries and yet, somehow the glass ceiling remains hard to shatter. And so, I remain committed to fighting for gender equality. Not only do we carry 15 hours of home responsibilities, we must constantly fight for gender equality. I believe there are several key things each of us must do if we are going to make the kind of progress Justice O'Connor made:
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This year's theme for International Women's Day is: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. Join me; together, we can, and we will make progress so that "One Day We Won't Need this Day!"
Enterprise Client Champion
9moLove you Tami!!
Strategic Partnership Professional, Experienced Healthcare Leader, Pragmatic Problem Solver, Cultivating Talent and Growth
9moTami - having the opportunity to work with you has been a highlight of my career. You have always been an amazing advocate for people and women in particular. I appreciate your continuing to share and develop others in this virtual world.
Legal Executive – Technology Transactions | Telecommunications | Adjunct Professor of Law | AI2030 Evangelist & Blogger | Business Transformation | Risk Mitigation | Board Member | Fellow, World Commerce and Contracting
9moThank you, Tami, for reminding us that, even though we have made progress, there is still a long way to go.
Chief Customer Officer @ Afiniti | Driving Customer Success | Board Member
9moThis is truly awesome Tami Erwin ! Truly inspirational. The success rate of companies with female CEOs is also undeniable. Keep pushing!
Global Speaker | Former Fortune 20 Consumer COO | Corporate Mother & Wife
9moWhat an amazing day that will be! Thank you for always using your platform and access to champion the change required to realize a time when we no longer need this day!