Today is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women. To honor this day, we reflect on the significant progress made in gender equality and recognize the adversity that women continue to push through to attain a more inclusive world. Just this year, Kamala Harris shattered the glass ceiling by not only becoming the first female U.S. Vice President, but the first Black, and South Asian-American U.S. Vice President.
This significant event in recent history showcases the many women who have paved the way. Women such as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress; Eleanor Roosevelt, the first U.S. delegate to the United Nations; and, of course, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the second female and the first Jewish female Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. As we already know, we experienced the loss of Justice Ginsberg just last year, but the impact she made as a pioneer who fought for women’s rights, and a leading voice for civil rights and liberties influences the gender equality movement to this day.
What do you #choosetochallenge?
The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is #choosetochallenge. This initiative is meant to drive actions that will create the gender-equal society we all deserve. We must challenge ourselves to take accountability for our own thoughts and actions, and be the change we want to see in the world. Check out what Conn Maciel Carey’s Attorneys and Staff #choosetochallenge!
“I choose to challenge inequality and celebrate inclusivity in my family, in my work, and in my personal networks by listening, learning, and leaning into a bias-free world.”
Kara M. Maciel, Chair, Labor • Employment Group
“I choose to challenge myself to be more aware of my privilege, to confront gender bias whenever possible, and to continue to encourage and celebrate women’s achievements.”
Eric J. Conn, Chair, OSHA • Workplace Safety Group
“I choose to challenge inequality by working as a volunteer with Election Protection, the national, non-partisan coalition working to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have their vote count.”
Fern Fleischer-Daves, Of Counsel
“I choose to challenge hate and fear, and support hope and change, and empathy and kindness, to form a more united country and world.”
Beeta B. Lashkari, Associate
“I choose to challenge the labels that people put on me and shatter self-doubts.”
Theresa Green, Marketing Manager
“I choose to challenge inequality in decision making and leadership. Today and every day I will support Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s statement, ‘Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.’”
Nicholas W. Scala, Chair, MSHA • Workplace Safety Group
“I choose to challenge stereotypes of women in the workplace by showing up as my authentic self daily.”
Ashley D. Mitchell, Associate
“I choose to challenge myself, my family, and friends to be more inclusive and call out inequity in everyday situations.”
Dan Deacon, Associate
“I choose to challenge inequality by doing my best to listen to, support, and celebrate the women in my life and have open dialogue about the changes needed to further inclusivity both in the workplace and more broadly.”
Lindsay DiSalvo, Associate
I choose to challenge the notion that employers and employees are not aligned in their objectives, and I work to help support a world where employee safety drives decision-making by all – and one where women are the drivers!
Kate McMahon, Partner, OSHA • Workplace Safety
“I choose to challenge ignorance, let actions speak louder than words and be an agent, celebrating and supporting whatever paths my amazing daughters choose in their lives.”
Aaron Gelb, Partner, OSHA and Labor & Employment Groups
I choose to challenge gender bias and inequity in work, family, social situations, and sports, and to recognize and celebrate women’s achievements in each of those integral aspects of our society.
Jordan Schwartz, Partner, Labor • Employment Group