Women’s History Month | An Interview with iCIMS CMO, Susan Vitale
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Katy Kappler: One of the things that I love about Womens History Month is the ability to look back and recognize the innovations and ideas that came from women in our history. We have a tendency to forget that a lot of the opportunities we have today have been laid by the women that came up before us. Women that worked in far more difficult times and whose contributions were often overlooked or not documented very well because it was such a male-dominated narrative. The people that my kids and I have been talking about are Elizabeth Blackwell, who was the first female physician in the United States. And Katherine Johnson, who now a lot of people know because of the movie Hidden Figures, but whose work at NASA, ostensibly put a man on the moon. Recognizing their work and realizing that they accomplished all of this at a time when it was so hard for women to get a seat at the table did not prevent them from pursuing their passions and making these transformational changes in peoples lives. It is very inspiring.
Ana Hernandez: For me, its more about women today in a lot of respects. Its fantastic that the women before us were trailblazers, but the fact is we still need trailblazing women. There are still many areas where women are not at the level that men are. And I think it not only shines a light on the history of women but also all the work that were still doing and still continue to need to do.
What does the phrase “empowered women, empower women” mean to you and how do you live this in your daily life?
Ana Hernandez: Its really about being a good role model and looking for strong female role models. I think the more you see yourself in the world doing things that women havent always done, or in spaces that are largely occupied by men, it lets other women know that those possibilities are out there. The more that women are out there aggressively pursuing their dreams and achieving them, the more other women and girls will say that is an option for them too.
Katy Kappler: The reality of this statement is that strong women are the women who not only trailblaze themselves and are super successful in their careers, but that also are taking the time to help their peers and the women coming behind them to find their success as well.
Powerful Women in the WorkplaceWe are all about women in the workplace making themselves heard. Whether it’s voicing support for your work wife or standing up for yourself in a meeting, being vocal is crucial to enacting real organizational change. Here are some of our favorite op-eds and stories about women who are standing up in the workplace, getting what they have earned, and sharing their stories—to empower other women to do the same. Whether it’s recognizing damaging gaslighting in the workplace or standing up for yourself in a meeting, these are crucial lessons that need to be shared. We’re not tearing up, you are.
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Celebrating Women During Women’s History Month—A Roundup
We celebrate women year-round. Here are some of our favorite articles—by in-house team members, our amazing contributors, and other women-focused media sites we love. It’s difficult to pick our favorite content from women around here—there is an abundance of gold. Women’s History Month is about celebrating women all over the world. It’s about celebrating the huge strides women have made (and are making) in politics, literature, the arts, social justice, science, math, technology, at home and all across the board. This Womens History Month, please enjoy some of our favorites—about women in the workplace, women at home, women transitioning through careers, and women generally navigating life (like bosses.)
FAQ
What questions can be asked on women’s Day?
- Do you experience resistance when you are leading men? …
- How can women “work across the divides” of opinions?
- How can I be powerful without alienating people or upsetting them? …
- How can women navigate power structures?
What is the most important thing about women’s history month?
- What does IWD mean to you? …
- How would you address the cultural issues that form the background of the gender pay gap? …
- What are the most effective ways to counteract the negative stereotypes of feminism, especially in the workplace?
How do you explain women’s history month?