Throughout my life, I’ve been profoundly influenced by remarkable women—my mother, mother-in-law, spouse of 33+ years (my soulmate who inspired me to co-write a song), sisters (both biological and through marriage), and my three daughters.
Professionally, I’ve had the privilege of both leading teams with talented women and being led by many insightful leaders, most of whom happen to be female. I’ve been mentored by women and have had the honor of mentoring women in their careers.
These experiences have solidified my belief in the extraordinary capabilities of women and the imperative of genuine allyship.
Advocacy for Women, It’s Personal
Long before inclusion became a corporate buzzword (or more recently, controversial), I championed the cause of equality. My faith as a Bahá’í deeply instills the principle of racial and gender equality. In fact, our core belief calls us to actively root out our prejudices and the systemic inequalities that divide people of different ethnic backgrounds, national origins, genders and social classes. Further, I’ll continue to be a champion for inclusion regardless of which way or how hard the winds blow.
Women and men have been and always will be equal in the sight of God.
– Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith
While at Cox Communications, I volunteered as the Communications Co-Lead for the Women’s Employee Resource Group (WERG). I served in this role with Jamie Stokes, a brilliant digital communications leader., We worked together to elevate the organization’s communications, increase membership and actively support initiatives aimed at empowering women within the organization, fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued.
The results speak for themselves. When we stepped down, the Cox Communications WERG had a solid and sustainable communications strategy and the most members of any Employee Resource Group (ERG) across all three Cox divisions. Our legacy continues as the name of the newsletter we launched “EmpowHER” is now the name of the Cox enterprise-wide ERG today.
Dig Deeper: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh’s son and appointed interpreter, expanded on the principle of the equality of women and men with a powerful analogy:
“The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible.”
This metaphor emphasizes that the advancement of humanity hinges on the full development and collaboration of both women and men. The Bahá’í teachings assert that gender equality isn’t merely a desirable social condition but a fundamental spiritual truth essential for the unification and progress of society.
Recognizing and Addressing Subtle Biases
It’s maddening to witness scenarios where a woman’s idea is overlooked until reiterated by a man.
I’ve experienced a similar dynamic—presenting an idea that only gained traction when echoed by someone with a higher title.
While the contexts differ, the underlying issue remains: the need to acknowledge and credit original contributions, regardless of the source.
When I’m in a meeting and this happens, I make a point to speak out. I start out by supporting the idea; however, when doing so, I make a point to mention that the original idea came from the woman who originally offered it earlier in the conversation.
Words Matter
Inclusive language enables everyone to feel valued, respected and better able to contribute their talents. Also, we know from research that inclusive cultures are high-performing cultures. How we speak to and about each other influences how we treat each other, so inclusive language helps strengthen our workplace culture.
Here are some practical ideas of how you can be more inclusive with your words:
SAY THIS |
NOT THAT |
WHY IT MATTERS |
|
Hi everyone; Hey Team; |
Hello guys; Hey guys… |
Replacing “guys” with gender-neutral alternatives grants respect to the people being addressed, regardless of whether you view “guys” as gender-neutral or gendered. |
|
Team members |
Ladies; Girls |
Referring to groups of women in the workplace as ladies or girls can be demeaning. Best to use a gender-neutral term that allows you to address men, women and nonbinary people equitably without outing anyone. |
|
Partner, Spouse, Significant Other |
Wife; Girlfriend; Husband; Boyfriend |
We avoid presumptions around identity and/or pressure around describing a significant other or spouse. |
|
Parental Leave |
Maternity Leave; Paternity Leave |
Even if you think you know how everyone in the room identifies, using gender-neutral language can help to push other people to do the same and create a more inclusive environment for everyone. |
Let’s be clear. Inclusive language isn’t about being politically correct. It’s about respect and courtesy. These virtues are universal, apolitical and not unique to any one religion.
It’s Our Responsibility and Duty
As allies, it’s our reasonability and duty to highlight and rectify these biases, ensuring that recognition is given where it’s due.
Call to Action: Stand Up and Speak Out
For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.
– Virginia Woolf, Prominent British author and essayist in the English Modernist movement
This statement underscores the historical marginalization of women’s contributions. As men, we must actively work to change this narrative. Here’s how…
Practical Steps to Being an Effective Ally
- Listen Actively: Work to understand the unique challenges women face by genuinely listening to their experiences.
- Advocate Relentlessly: Support policies and practices that promote gender equality, both in the workplace and in society.
- Challenge Biases: Address and challenge discriminatory behaviors or comments, even when they’re subtle or unintentional.
- Mentor and Support: Offer mentorship and sponsorship to women, helping them navigate career advancements and opportunities.
Parting Thoughts
Women are:
- Our first teachers, nurturing and guiding the next generation.
- The embodiment of resilience, demonstrating courage and strength in the face of adversity.
- Catalysts for change, leading movements and challenging societal norms.
- Keepers of wisdom, offering insights and perspectives that shape organizations, policies and entire communities.
- Architects of progress, innovating and contributing across all fields.
- And so much more…
True allyship extends beyond mere words; it requires consistent action and introspection.
By embracing the principle that women and men are “like the two wings of a bird,” we can ensure that humanity soars to unprecedented heights.
Each March, we celebrate Women’s History Month. Let’s commit to being steadfast allies for women throughout the year—and not just for the women in our lives, but for the betterment of society.
Inspire on!
