“We will all profit from a more diverse, inclusive society, understanding, accommodating, even celebrating our differences, while pulling together for the common good.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
March is Women’s History Month and that means it is time to celebrate the remarkable – yet often overlooked – contributions of the women who came before us and recognize the women making history today. These powerful leaders. pioneers, passionate advocates, homemakers, trailblazers, and dedicated forces for change all need to have their stories told. Their resilience and contributions have shaped our history and culture, and they continue to serve as reminders of our ongoing journey toward true equality.
Women’s History Month is important, especially when you consider the many accomplishments made by women that have been left out of our history books. Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance designates the annual March theme and this year “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” will be the focal point. Recognizing women who understand the need to eliminate bias and discrimination from individuals’ lives and institutions, the Alliance wrote, “During 2024, we recognize the example of women who are committed to embracing everyone and excluding no one in our common quest for freedom and opportunity…Today, equity, diversity, and inclusion are powerful driving forces that are having a wide-ranging impact on our country.”
Acknowledging that women from every background have long realized an uneven playing field will never bring equality or justice, the Alliance points out that the time has come to speak up and work harder for fairness in our institutions and social interactions. “It takes courage for women to advocate for practical goals like equity, diversity, and inclusion when established forces aim to misinterpret, exploit, or discredit them. Throughout 2024, we honor local women from the past and present who have taken the lead to show the importance of change and to establish firmer safeguards, practices, and legislation reflecting these values. Following decades of discrimination, we are proud to celebrate women who work for basic inclusion, equality, and fairness.”
At Women Connect4Good we find it mystifying that homophobia, racism, sexism, and other forms of injustice are still present and so deeply embedded in our institutions and in the way our society operates. We understand the value of embracing diversity and know that we unlock our full potential when we build an inclusive environment that respects each person’s unique perspectives and experiences. We celebrate diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, and embrace diversity in all forms – including race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and abilities – creating workplaces and communities where we can all be our best. We are also fortunate to have a number of partners and friends committed to advocating for policies that reflect our collective values of justice, fairness, and equality. These women are making history today, and need to have their stories told, and their work supported and celebrated now.
For example, Dr. Sheila Robinson made history by founding Diversity Woman Media, which operates with a mission to advance women, in particular women of color, into leadership, and to “promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the business sector.” She is an expert in diversity and inclusion, and her multi-platform organization is recognized nationally for its work advancing all dimensions of diversity and inclusion (D&I).
Then there is Equality Now’s Global Executive Director S. Mona Sinha. She submitted written testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on The Equal Rights Amendment: How Congress Can Recognize Ratification and Enshrine Equality in Our Constitution in early 2023 stating, “Equality Now has seen the pervasive damage done to women and girls wrought by legal inequality, including the promotion of gender-based violence (GBV) in discriminatory laws. Conversely, we have seen the tremendous benefits gained by countries that have embraced equality in the law, including in their constitutions, the supreme law of the land.”
Zakiya Thomas’ work also is worth celebrating. As CEO and president of the ERA Coalition and the Fund for Women’s Equality, she is leading 300+ organizations and more than 80 million people toward a brighter, more equitable tomorrow. Focused on bringing groups together to stand in solidarity to reach common goals, she urges everyone to “have a conversation with someone without trying to change their mind. Just listen.” She notes that partisan politics, social unrest, and general strife frequently occur because people and groups refuse to talk to each other and learn what the other knows that they are missing.
Then there are our friends at the National Women’s History Museum, bringing to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history, serving as a space to inspire, experience, collaborate, and amplify women’s impact—past, present, and future. And Tiffany Shlain, our friends at World Pulse, Crystal Quade, Brianna Baker, Christian F. Nunes, the list goes on and on – all powerful women advocating for “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” and dedicated to making sure that all women have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Women’s history is being made now, and this month is not just a nod to the past; it’s a beacon for the future. We are grateful to have so many powerful allies standing with us to promote and support fair treatment, equal opportunity, and access to resources for all. These women (and men) know that embracing diversity and inclusion not only leads to greater innovation and creativity, but also creates a feeling of belonging and empowerment for all women. Supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion and creating workplaces and communities where every woman (and man) can thrive is more important than ever. In fact, we believe it is the key to creating a better future for us all.