Today is National Women’s Equality Day, a day that is more important than ever as women in our country continue to fight for their rights with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Today BOCA celebrates all women and their right to live freely and fiercely in this country.
On Aug. 26, 1920, women won the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment. For years prior to this momentous day, suffragettes protested, marched and raised their voices in favor of all women receiving equal rights that included abortion access, equal employment opportunities, equal pay, and affordable daycare. Unfortunately it’s almost as though we’ve entered a time machine and have been transported back to the 1920s as women are still fighting for these same rights today in 2022.
However, women are strong, women are mighty and we are making change. Women are outpacing men in education and are beginning to rightly demand a seat at the table. We have a black woman holding the second highest office in the land. Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle, was one of the top 10 highest paid CEOs of the Fortune 500 in 2021. The gender gap in pay is starting to close, especially in the PR industry, where 72.8% of positions are held by women. PR leaders are making a conscious effort to have conversations centered around equality and pay transparency. In some states it is even becoming a legal requirement to include this information in job postings and descriptions. Agency leaders are also working to make sure there is plenty of female representation in leadership positions.
A hugely important piece in all of this is making sure that women use their voices and stand up for what they deserve. So many women were taught to say “please” and “thank you” with a big smile pasted on their face while also making sure to not ruffle any feathers. The reality: women SHOULD ruffle those feathers! It is okay to ask for more and demand equality. Fifty-two years ago, 50,000 women shut down the streets of New York City for the Women’s Strike for Equality March, and in a couple of weeks, thousands of women will once again take to the streets in Washington D.C. and other cities around the country to demand change. So, happy National Women’s Equality Day to all of the badass women that are a part of the BOCA family and to all women nationwide. We see you, we hear you and we stand with you!