There is Strength in our Connectedness

There was a time when medicine and science—two fields which I care about deeply—were accessible only to men. Not too long ago, there was a limit to how high women could climb in a wide range of professions, leaving many far short of their dreams. While we have made much progress in in the United States, with women making up 37 percent of active physicians and 28 percent of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), much work remains.

I am proud to lead an organization where women are well-represented, including making up a majority of our staff and leadership team. In commemoration of Women’s Equality Day, a day that celebrates and honors the women’s suffrage movement and acknowledges the hurdles women have overcome in the journey toward equality and progress, I’ve asked some of my colleagues to reflect on their journeys and what it means to them to be a woman leader in public health and philanthropy.

“As part of the CDC Foundation leadership team, I’m deeply proud of our work to advocate for and support women’s health, mental health and physical safety in all aspects of their lives. As women, whenever we have the chance to inspire other women to be courageous, be their true selves and to speak up, we should take it. Our voices are critical to changing the world. There is strength in our connectedness. Finding our power is our path forward.” – Laura Croft, vice president of advancement, CDC Foundation

“It is hard for me to believe that it has just been the last 100 years in our country’s more than 400-year history that women have had the legal right to vote.  Women have made tremendous progress in all spheres of society which benefits all of us—we can’t afford to have half of our future leaders, inventors, innovators, healers and inspirers kept from reaching their full potential. Although the gender pay gap has not closed in recent years, the gap is narrower among younger workers which gives us hope the gap will further narrow as these workers move through their careers.” – Lauren Smith, chief health equity and strategy officer, CDC Foundation

“I chose a career in public health to help advance women’s right to reproductive health. And I’m so lucky to work at the CDC Foundation and be a part of an organization that supports women’s health and values gender equality and inclusion. As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, it’s a reminder that we must keep working to protect women’s rights, including access to critical health services.”  – Catherine Zilber, vice president for infectious disease programs, CDC Foundation

“I am grateful for the women trailblazers who came before me and helped pave the way. They advocated for change, and their legacy inspires me. The fight for racial and gender equity continues as we strive for a true representation of all women equally in leadership positions across all sectors of our country and across the world. I am hopeful for positive approaches to help mitigate some of the long-lasting effects of these inequities, many of which impact public health outcomes for minorities and people of color. I am honored to work in an organization that is committed to building on this legacy and fighting for more positive change.” – Monique Patrick, chief operating officer, CDC Foundation

With this year’s theme focusing on equity, it is especially important to remember that progress toward the goal of equality has been uneven, with some individuals and communities affected more than others.

Our work at the CDC Foundation is to be a catalyst for unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC and philanthropies, private entities and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. It is through a diverse set of ideas, perspectives and lived experiences that we can achieve this goal and build a collaborative and successful work environment, a healthier and stronger nation and a place where everyone can reach their potential and live their healthiest life. Together our impact is greater.

Judy Monroe, MD, is president and CEO of the CDC Foundation