March 6, 2024 • 29 mins
March 8th is International Womans Day 2024!
As we celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month under the banner of "Inspire Inclusion," we promise you'll be moved by the remarkable stories that are defining women's empowerment today. We're delving into the power of influential literature, like Michelle Obama's "The Light We Carry" and Chrissy King's "The Body Liberation Project," and discussing the impactful ways in which International Women's Day galvanizes unity and progress for women around the world. And have you ever wondered how a box of Girl Scout cookies could represent a giant leap for womankind? We discuss this on the podcast too.
The path to the top is steep, especially for women in leadership, and the view from above reveals a landscape still lacking in diversity. This episode pulls back the curtain on the stark underrepresentation of women in the highest corporate roles, and I'll share how mentorship turned my own aspirations into achievements. We're laying out practical steps and initiatives—such as mentorship programs, workshops, and advocacy campaigns—that promise to elevate women's voices and dismantle the barriers that have kept too many from reaching their potential.
Our journey through this month's theme we discuss the inspiring women who have guested on the show who are changing the game across many different aspects of midlife. You'll hear about Elizabeth White's innovative CoLiving solutions for older women, Susan Salinger's expertise on women in healthcare, and the transformative role of women in sustainable agriculture and sports and dance with Julia Adam. These stories not only highlight the strides we've made but also serve as a call to support fundamental causes like Take Your Daughters to Work Day and We The Women by Julie Suk about the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment, underscoring our collective responsibility to champion women's equality every single day.
Obsessions
Tish: Find Girl Scout Cookies https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/how-to-buy-cookies.html
Ellen: shares three great books to celebrate womens history month and IWD
The Light We Carry - Michelle Obama
Chrissy King The Body Liberation Project
We The Women by Julie Suk
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome back to the Positively Midlife Podcast.
This week we are celebratingInternational Women's Day, which
is Friday, march 8th, and thismonth is also Women's History
Month in the United States.
So March is a month tocelebrate women, for sure, tish.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Oh, don't you know it is right.
And what I love, though, is thetheme this year of the
International Women's Day iscalled Inspire Inclusion, and
the idea is when we inspireothers to understand and value
women's inclusions, we are goingto forge a better world.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Truth, tish truth.
And when women themselves areinspired to be included, there's
a sense of belonging, relevanceand empowerment that just kind
of catches fire.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Exactly.
You know, the objective ofInternational Women's Day is to
collectively forge a moreinclusive world for women, and
this objective is in line withour podcast objectives, don't
you think?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
So true, it really is , and I know we're going to get
to some great things that we'vetalked about on the podcast
before.
But let's first get to myfavorite part of the show, our
weekly obsessions, and I thinkyou have a good one for me this
week.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Well, I'm going to be talking about little women.
So March, on top of beingWomen's History Month here in
the United States andInternational Women's, it's also
the big push for Girl ScoutCookies.
And so I kept asking you knowpeople, have you seen any Girl
(01:50):
Scouts?
Do you know any Girl Scouts?
You know, we're kind of not atthat age anymore where our
friends don't have these littlegirls and people were like oh, I
just saw them at this store.
I was there, I must have, Imissed them.
I just kept missing them.
But my obsession this week isthe Girl Scouts and we're going
(02:10):
to have a link for this.
You can enter your zip code in.
They can tell you how to orderthem online.
They can tell you where in yourarea you can actually go and
find them, where they're set up.
They're in front of Lowe's,they're in front of Publix.
Wherever store they're in frontof, it is going to tell you
where they're going to be andyou can hunt down your Girl
(02:32):
Scout Cookies or connect withsomebody locally.
I think, if you buy enoughboxes to connect, to go either
pick them up or have them dropthem off.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Girl Scouts gone digital.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
I'm loving this.
You know, I was a Girl Scoutback in the day and my mom
helped me with my cookie salesand so, but there's nothing like
a thin mint in the freezer.
Oh, you're a thin mint girl.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
I like those peanut butter ones.
I think they're called tagalongs.
They're peanut butter andchocolate maybe.
Oh okay, I don't know, Well, Idid just see a sign at my local
Safeway for Girl.
Scout Cookies yesterday and Imanaged to drive by.
I'm not sure how many moretimes I'll drive by without
purchasing, but Okay, what'syour obsession this week, alan?
(03:24):
Well, I'm kind of piggybackingon our last episode, which was
about reading, and to honorWomen's History Month, I've
chosen two books that I reallydig about women, and one is the
first one is Michelle Obama hashad a new book called the Light
we Carry, and this is really nother biography but a book about
(03:48):
stories and some valuablepractices that she shared.
And the thing I loved about thevaluable practices she had
things like starting kind goinghigh, like go high when other
people go low, and alsoassembling a kitchen table, this
idea of having a group oftrusted friends and mentors that
(04:09):
help you when you need it.
So that book, the Light weCarry, I think is amazing and
also that is one I have to puton my list.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah, definitely she's.
Just when I think of thatconcept of going high.
She's like the female posterchild for it, right she is.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
She is in class.
I just adore her.
So the Light we Carry.
And then there's another book.
I don't know how I stumbled onthis, but it's called the Body
Liberation Project howunderstanding racism and diet
culture helps cultivate joy andbuild collective freedom.
(04:51):
This is by a woman, ChrissyKing, and this book is just
amazing and she is wonderful,and I know both of these books,
Tisha, are available on Kindleand Audible, because I knew you
were going to ask me, ChrissyKing, check her out.
This book is really.
(05:12):
I couldn't put it down.
So two amazing reads forWomen's History Month.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
I love it.
That's fantastic.
Thank you, sure.
So International Women's Day.
This is a global celebration ofsocial, economic and culture,
as well as politicalachievements for women.
So each year, this day serveskind of as this powerful
(05:40):
reminder of the progress thatwe've made towards gender
equality, and it also highlightsthe work that we still need to
do, the work that still needs tobe done.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
I really love that Tish that this is not a
frivolous day for women.
This is a serious day and herein 2024, the campaign inspired
inclusion.
It emphasizes the importance ofdiversity and empowerment
across all aspects of societyand we, as women really can
(06:17):
support each other, no matterwhat our differences are.
Age, ethnicity, race, genderorientation, religion,
socioeconomic disability, likegeolocation, you name it.
Women unite.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Yes, yeah, I think that really needs to be the
underlining theme, that not tobe polarized by different
subjects, but to just besupportive and bring ourselves
together.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Yes, under that umbrella of women, tish, where
in the world do you think thatthis is a holiday?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Wow, I didn't even realize it.
Is there certain places thatit's going to be a holiday?
Yes, I love that idea.
I know it's not holiday here,unfortunately.
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Well, I'll just name a few Belarus, cambodia.
In China it says women only,but places like Laos, madagascar
, so many places around theworld, vietnam, zambia and in
Germany they approved a bill in2019 to make an International
(07:33):
Women's Day a public holiday.
There are a lot of places whereit is a holiday.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
I'm looking at your full list and when I see it it
starts off with Afghanistan.
You think about that.
They don't value women there,but obviously they've created
this as a holiday there.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
I don't know Some of these countries seem like it
does not seem really incongruous, but there is some controversy,
I have to say.
There are a lot of groups thatthink that it shouldn't be a
holiday, because it's a day ofactivism, it's a day of
visibility, it's a day foropportunity and impact.
(08:16):
I think that is really what I'mtaking away from learning more
about IWD, if we could call itthat.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
I think too, though, the idea of making it a holiday
is to elevate it from.
I mean, we have National PickleDay there are so many days that
are celebrated for such crazythings but I think the countries
that have decided to make thisa holiday, it's elevating the
(08:46):
importance of the work that it'sdoing, of moving that needle
forward, so to say.
Ellen, this year's theme kindof underscores the critical role
of inclusion in achievinggender equality.
It's really been like this callto action for us to start
(09:08):
breaking down barriers, for usto start challenging stereotypes
and to create environmentswhere all women are valued and
all women are respected.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
I really like that Tish.
At my company where I work myday job, we just had a seminar
on belonging and how importantthat feeling of belonging is.
I think inspiring inclusionalong the lines of belonging it
just really encourages everyoneto recognize that people come
(09:46):
with varying perspectives andpeople give different
contributions.
We need to make a greatereffort to include people from
marginalized communities.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
One of the key areas is the need to promote diversity
in leadership positions.
In decision-making positions,women, especially those
belonging to theseunderrepresented groups.
They continue to face barrierswhen seeking leadership roles.
Fortunecom wrote an article inJune of 2023 detailing that
(10:27):
still only 10.4% of women areCEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
That comes as no surprise to me, having been in
the tech industry for so long.
But I'll throw another fact atyou.
Another figure the Bureau ofLabor Statistics last year in
March notes that 56.8% of the USworkforce is women.
We should have a heck of a lotmore than 10.4% in those
(10:59):
leadership roles.
The worldwide average for womenin the workplace is 39.49%.
That doesn't even equate on aglobal level.
This is something for us toreally fight to change.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
How I think we are going to achieve that is through
education and awareness.
That is that path.
Having those two things as ourfocus is the path to moving the
cause forward.
It will take women supportingand uplifting other women,
fostering inclusions, empoweringeach other.
(11:36):
The objectives can be achievedthrough initiatives such as
mentoring programs, educationalworkshops, different advocacy
campaigns, both on an individualand an organizational level.
Right To create opportunitiesfor women to thrive, and it
(11:57):
needs to be on both levels.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
I like that and I agree I hadn't really thought of
it that it needed to be onthose two levels.
And women also really needresources to make things happen.
I know from working and you'veworked for years, too many years
if we say right, that when weare given the right tools, the
(12:21):
right resources and the rightopportunities, we can do
anything.
We just need the chance, rightTish.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Yeah, so I guess what we are asking each and every
one of our listeners is onFebruary or, excuse me, on
Friday Friday March 8th, whichis International Women's Day to
kind of pledge their supportthat they will be part of the
solution, and it starts withhaving the conversation with
(12:53):
other women around them.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
I love that and really taking the time on Friday
to reaffirm our commitment tocreating a world where women are
empowered, valued and included,and that we really actively
work towards breaking downbarriers and doing what we can
to foster diversity, how we canbuild a more equitable and
(13:16):
inclusive society, I think, forour kids' generations and those
generations beyond our grandkids, I mean let's do it Exactly.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
And again, I think a lot of change comes from women,
right.
So what are some ways that youthink that we can move that
needle forward to inspireinclusion?
I know that one of the things Ihad done years ago was I had
volunteered with my high schoolalma mater that I would have a
(13:51):
summer intern come to work withme a few days a week.
I was doing communityredevelopment loans at the time
and I loved doing that, Like itwasn't necessarily the path that
she thought she would go intoin terms of what she wanted to
do and work, but it gave heropportunities to see what it was
(14:15):
like to be an empowered womanin business, and it was that
type of mentorship that thereneeds to be more of.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Absolutely.
I love that you did that, tisha.
I've never done something likethat actually have someone
shadow me and do an internshipin that way but I mentor four
young women, all in their 20s,and I really do think, not only
on Friday but every day if wecould all think about how we
(14:48):
could help give a woman, a youngwoman, a middle-aged woman,
anyone a step up, and so Ireally think that mentoring is a
great way to do that.
I'll also post on the Slackchannel at the company where I
work and I also donate to acharity here locally, which is I
(15:13):
think we used to call it Dressfor Success.
But it's a charity that you cangive business close to, even
for young men, and they helpfolks who are going out for a
first job or a new job andreally prepare them, not just in
the way they look, but a lot ofother ways.
So I really like the idea ofthinking about a charity where
(15:38):
you can do something as simpleas donate a work suit you
haven't worn in the last fewyears, right To help someone.
Really, you know, get a leg upon the next thing.
You know like oh sorry, I wasgonna say I like this idea of
paying it forward with the nextgeneration.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Yeah, I think we need to always be looking for ways
to inspire inclusion around us.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
I agree, and, you know, I think we can't be
complacent and we can't get tothe point where we're just, you
know, not thinking about itoften enough On, I think, the
organizational level.
There are so many ways toensure the needs and interests
of women and girls are valuedand included, and there's this
(16:32):
hashtag, inspire inclusion, andthis is, like we said, the whole
point of our podcast right isbeing inclusive and really
taking on mid-life, lifting upwomen to be all they can be.
So we see this also in areasTisha.
(16:53):
I think you're going to give usa few right.
Some of these areas.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
You know, I think I'd like to highlight some of the
women that have been our guest,as well as some of the programs
and women that we know that canmove that needle forward to
inspire inclusion Awesome.
So I had read this article thattalked about different ways
that you can inspire inclusion,and so we're going to go through
(17:16):
each of those and then talkabout different episodes or
different people and programsthat kind of talk to that.
So forging women's economicempowerment.
You know, on episode 28, we hadour friend, lisa, and her
family does all kinds of fundingin Africa for different
(17:37):
programs and one of the onesthat I found so fascinating was
they fund the money boxes and,you know, for a very small
amount of money they start womeninto being entrepreneurs in
their little tribes and tosupport each other.
And if you want moreinformation about that, episode
(17:58):
28,.
It is such an inspiring story.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
I love that one and let me add to it episode 45 for
Oregon Chai tea founder, loriSpencer.
She works with local women nowto help them in business
development really how to buildtheir businesses and using all
of the experience she had fromdeveloping a chai tea in her
(18:23):
parents' garage all the way upto a national brand that she
sold, and the focus for her onrecruiting, retaining and
developing female entrepreneursand talents.
I think it's a great episode.
So, episode 45, lori Spencer.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Yeah, I like her, give back attitude.
So another way that we can movethe needle towards inspiring
inclusion is designing andbuilding infrastructure meeting
the needs of women and girls.
So I have been following thiswoman, elizabeth White, and
she's the founder of New AgeCo-living and they are committed
(19:07):
to smalling up living, for youknow what they're fine.
What she's finding is women,especially when they're older,
are living this secret life ofnot having enough, and she's
very committed to helping olderwomen that are struggling
financially and bringing themtogether and creating small
(19:30):
housing and things like that.
Amazing, inspirational woman.
I would love for her hopefullyto come on our podcast at some
time, but her story is great.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
And we'll put a link, of course, to all of these in
our show notes, and Elizabethsounds absolutely like a woman
that we want to talk to.
I'm going to say good healthcare for women.
You know we need to be helpingwomen and girls make informed
decisions about their health,and we have a guest coming on,
(20:05):
susan Salinger, who has a booksideline about empowering women
in their health care decisions,so stay tuned for that one.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
That is going to be a powerful episode and it's one
that I think all women need tohear because you'll be faced
with it at one time or another.
So another important area wouldbe involving women and girls in
sustainable agriculture andfood security, right.
So it reminded me of ourepisode 69 with Chef Laura
(20:38):
Pauley and her work that she hasdone with World Kitchen to feed
people all over the world.
She was recently in the Ukrainehelping to feed the people, you
know, devastated by the warover there.
And it also reminded me of ourepisode 61, where Mary Fleming
(20:59):
traded in her corporate careerto start you know, start having
a farm and I was just there thispast weekend where she does
this goat, this baby goat,cuddle session.
It was so fun, but she hasgoats and chickens and other
animals and she does amazingthings on her farm and, of
(21:21):
course, I got my farm fresh eggs.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
And some really good photos with baby goats.
But I have to say that bothLaura working for World Central
Kitchen and Mary, their storiesare really inspirational, so I
hope folks tune into those.
So another way to reallypromote International Women's
Day is this idea of providingwomen and girls to quality
(21:48):
education and access to training.
And I want to just throw outthat April 25th is take your
daughters or granddaughters towork day.
So everybody out there who'sstill working, even if you don't
have a daughter or agranddaughter, take someone
else's right, Tish.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
I can't say this enough If you have the
opportunity to inspire a youngperson, just to have experience
in the workplace beingprofessional, whatever it is you
do, you don't know where that'sgoing to lead that person.
So, april 25th, start talkingto your bosses and see if you
can bring somebody along withyou.
(22:26):
So okay, so I wanted to talkabout elevating women and girls
in participation andachievements in sports.
You know our Episode 55, whereyour very good friend Julia, who
is a former ballerina.
She reimagined her life to keepworking with her passion and
(22:52):
dance and she now choreographsand puts on performances and
dinners on a family farm inCalifornia wine country.
I mean, how good, how muchbetter can you get than that?
Right, you cannot, you cannot.
But also you know supportingand working with groups that
(23:14):
work with young girls, such asgirls on the run that uses
running as a basis to startbuilding self-confidence,
kindness and decision-makingskills.
And, of course, you know myfondness for the Girl Scouts.
But beyond the whole cookiething, girl Scouts build a
(23:35):
tremendous amount of skills.
So if you can volunteer yourtime to get involved in
organizations like this, do so.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
I love it and I have to say Julia will put a link to
that episode.
You know, what I found out fromknowing her is that ballet is
probably one of the mostphysically rigorous things that
you can do.
And what she has done betweenchoreographing for different
companies and then doing thesefarm to table dinners with
(24:09):
ballet performances up in thewine country an amazing woman.
So you know, back in episodefour when we were newbies to the
podcast, kind of hard for us tolisten to in a way.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
I know, I know, hey, you got to grow from somewhere.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
We did.
But you know our friend of theshow, ellen Howard.
She came on and she chatted alot about her prior career in
finance and, after havingchildren, her desire to take her
painting from not just a hobbybut to a profession.
And she has not only an artinstructor, she has had board
(24:52):
seats on different art.
You know organizations here inCalifornia as well as being an
active plein air artist.
And you know she is taking agroup to Spain this spring later
in the spring to expand notonly her view but the view of, I
(25:13):
think, the people going on thetrip to do plein air painting in
Spain.
So you know that is somethingto really admire when you are
able to take something like anartistic talent and create a
profession out of it.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
And she has done it so well, and you know it's a lot
of work, but she has.
She is the poster child ofliving your dream.
And, come on, you're takingartists to go paint outside in
Spain.
I don't know if it gets muchbetter than that.
I mean that is just theultimate.
Well, the other thing would beaddressing further areas
(25:50):
supporting the advancement ofwomen and girls.
And it just reminded me ofepisodes 58 with Fordham
University law professor JulieShuck, and excuse me and she
wrote a book we, the Women, andit's the, it's the history, the
100 year history for the fightfor women in the United States
(26:13):
to have the ERA pass the EqualRights Amendment, and you know
that's all about the advancementof women.
We need to be having theseconversations, we need to be
promoting these women who aredoing spectacular things to move
that needle forward.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
I absolutely agree and I loved meeting Julie, the
book we the Women, and she has asecond book out as well.
Every one of us should reallyunderstand where we are with the
ERA Tish, and I think talkingto Julie made me aware of things
that I wasn't in the past andthat we still have a fight ahead
(26:56):
of us here in the United States, yes, and it's hard to believe
that a lot of other countriesare much, much further ahead of
us on equal rights.
So I hope these stories that wejust shared around, these
episodes about these amazingwomen, inspire you, our
listeners, for InternationalWomen's Day.
(27:18):
There's something for everyonehere to light you up and get you
going and get you motivatedabout celebrating women.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
You know, share your own stories with your friends of
women that inspire you, womenwho are living their best life
and are moving that quoteunquote needle forward.
So, margie, make sure you alsopost a picture where you're
posing with your heart hands youknow where you make the heart
(27:50):
symbol with your hands and postit.
You know, inspire inclusionhashtag inspire inclusion Start
talking to other women about howimportant this truly is.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
I love that.
I kind of always think ofTaylor Swift when I think of
that.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
I don't know about you I don't know why.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
I think that might be her her hand.
But yeah, inspire inclusion toall our listeners.
We hope you enjoyed thisepisode this week and we'll be
shared to post our picturesright Tish this Friday on our
socials.
So it was great to talk aboutthis very, very relevant topic
(28:36):
today.
Speaker 2 (28:38):
So until next week, midlifers inspire inclusion.
Speaker 1 (28:46):
That's right, until next week.
Welcome back to the Positively Midlife Podcast.
This week we are celebratingInternational Women's Day, which
is Friday, march 8th, and thismonth is also Women's History
Month in the United States.
So March is a month tocelebrate women, for sure, tish.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Oh, don't you know it is right.
And what I love, though, is thetheme this year of the
International Women's Day iscalled Inspire Inclusion, and
the idea is when we inspireothers to understand and value
women's inclusions, we are goingto forge a better world.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Truth, tish truth.
And when women themselves areinspired to be included, there's
a sense of belonging, relevanceand empowerment that just kind
of catches fire.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Exactly.
You know, the objective ofInternational Women's Day is to
collectively forge a moreinclusive world for women, and
this objective is in line withour podcast objectives, don't
you think?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
So true, it really is , and I know we're going to get
to some great things that we'vetalked about on the podcast
before.
But let's first get to myfavorite part of the show, our
weekly obsessions, and I thinkyou have a good one for me this
week.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Well, I'm going to be talking about little women.
So March, on top of beingWomen's History Month here in
the United States andInternational Women's, it's also
the big push for Girl ScoutCookies.
And so I kept asking you knowpeople, have you seen any Girl
(01:50):
Scouts?
Do you know any Girl Scouts?
You know, we're kind of not atthat age anymore where our
friends don't have these littlegirls and people were like oh, I
just saw them at this store.
I was there, I must have, Imissed them.
I just kept missing them.
But my obsession this week isthe Girl Scouts and we're going
(02:10):
to have a link for this.
You can enter your zip code in.
They can tell you how to orderthem online.
They can tell you where in yourarea you can actually go and
find them, where they're set up.
They're in front of Lowe's,they're in front of Publix.
Wherever store they're in frontof, it is going to tell you
where they're going to be andyou can hunt down your Girl
(02:32):
Scout Cookies or connect withsomebody locally.
I think, if you buy enoughboxes to connect, to go either
pick them up or have them dropthem off.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Girl Scouts gone digital.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
I'm loving this.
You know, I was a Girl Scoutback in the day and my mom
helped me with my cookie salesand so, but there's nothing like
a thin mint in the freezer.
Oh, you're a thin mint girl.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
I like those peanut butter ones.
I think they're called tagalongs.
They're peanut butter andchocolate maybe.
Oh okay, I don't know, Well, Idid just see a sign at my local
Safeway for Girl.
Scout Cookies yesterday and Imanaged to drive by.
I'm not sure how many moretimes I'll drive by without
purchasing, but Okay, what'syour obsession this week, alan?
(03:24):
Well, I'm kind of piggybackingon our last episode, which was
about reading, and to honorWomen's History Month, I've
chosen two books that I reallydig about women, and one is the
first one is Michelle Obama hashad a new book called the Light
we Carry, and this is really nother biography but a book about
(03:48):
stories and some valuablepractices that she shared.
And the thing I loved about thevaluable practices she had
things like starting kind goinghigh, like go high when other
people go low, and alsoassembling a kitchen table, this
idea of having a group oftrusted friends and mentors that
(04:09):
help you when you need it.
So that book, the Light weCarry, I think is amazing and
also that is one I have to puton my list.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah, definitely she's.
Just when I think of thatconcept of going high.
She's like the female posterchild for it, right she is.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
She is in class.
I just adore her.
So the Light we Carry.
And then there's another book.
I don't know how I stumbled onthis, but it's called the Body
Liberation Project howunderstanding racism and diet
culture helps cultivate joy andbuild collective freedom.
(04:51):
This is by a woman, ChrissyKing, and this book is just
amazing and she is wonderful,and I know both of these books,
Tisha, are available on Kindleand Audible, because I knew you
were going to ask me, ChrissyKing, check her out.
This book is really.
(05:12):
I couldn't put it down.
So two amazing reads forWomen's History Month.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
I love it.
That's fantastic.
Thank you, sure.
So International Women's Day.
This is a global celebration ofsocial, economic and culture,
as well as politicalachievements for women.
So each year, this day serveskind of as this powerful
(05:40):
reminder of the progress thatwe've made towards gender
equality, and it also highlightsthe work that we still need to
do, the work that still needs tobe done.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
I really love that Tish that this is not a
frivolous day for women.
This is a serious day and herein 2024, the campaign inspired
inclusion.
It emphasizes the importance ofdiversity and empowerment
across all aspects of societyand we, as women really can
(06:17):
support each other, no matterwhat our differences are.
Age, ethnicity, race, genderorientation, religion,
socioeconomic disability, likegeolocation, you name it.
Women unite.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Yes, yeah, I think that really needs to be the
underlining theme, that not tobe polarized by different
subjects, but to just besupportive and bring ourselves
together.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Yes, under that umbrella of women, tish, where
in the world do you think thatthis is a holiday?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Wow, I didn't even realize it.
Is there certain places thatit's going to be a holiday?
Yes, I love that idea.
I know it's not holiday here,unfortunately.
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Well, I'll just name a few Belarus, cambodia.
In China it says women only,but places like Laos, madagascar
, so many places around theworld, vietnam, zambia and in
Germany they approved a bill in2019 to make an International
(07:33):
Women's Day a public holiday.
There are a lot of places whereit is a holiday.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
I'm looking at your full list and when I see it it
starts off with Afghanistan.
You think about that.
They don't value women there,but obviously they've created
this as a holiday there.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
I don't know Some of these countries seem like it
does not seem really incongruous, but there is some controversy,
I have to say.
There are a lot of groups thatthink that it shouldn't be a
holiday, because it's a day ofactivism, it's a day of
visibility, it's a day foropportunity and impact.
(08:16):
I think that is really what I'mtaking away from learning more
about IWD, if we could call itthat.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
I think too, though, the idea of making it a holiday
is to elevate it from.
I mean, we have National PickleDay there are so many days that
are celebrated for such crazythings but I think the countries
that have decided to make thisa holiday, it's elevating the
(08:46):
importance of the work that it'sdoing, of moving that needle
forward, so to say.
Ellen, this year's theme kindof underscores the critical role
of inclusion in achievinggender equality.
It's really been like this callto action for us to start
(09:08):
breaking down barriers, for usto start challenging stereotypes
and to create environmentswhere all women are valued and
all women are respected.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
I really like that Tish.
At my company where I work myday job, we just had a seminar
on belonging and how importantthat feeling of belonging is.
I think inspiring inclusionalong the lines of belonging it
just really encourages everyoneto recognize that people come
(09:46):
with varying perspectives andpeople give different
contributions.
We need to make a greatereffort to include people from
marginalized communities.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
One of the key areas is the need to promote diversity
in leadership positions.
In decision-making positions,women, especially those
belonging to theseunderrepresented groups.
They continue to face barrierswhen seeking leadership roles.
Fortunecom wrote an article inJune of 2023 detailing that
(10:27):
still only 10.4% of women areCEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
That comes as no surprise to me, having been in
the tech industry for so long.
But I'll throw another fact atyou.
Another figure the Bureau ofLabor Statistics last year in
March notes that 56.8% of the USworkforce is women.
We should have a heck of a lotmore than 10.4% in those
(10:59):
leadership roles.
The worldwide average for womenin the workplace is 39.49%.
That doesn't even equate on aglobal level.
This is something for us toreally fight to change.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
How I think we are going to achieve that is through
education and awareness.
That is that path.
Having those two things as ourfocus is the path to moving the
cause forward.
It will take women supportingand uplifting other women,
fostering inclusions, empoweringeach other.
(11:36):
The objectives can be achievedthrough initiatives such as
mentoring programs, educationalworkshops, different advocacy
campaigns, both on an individualand an organizational level.
Right To create opportunitiesfor women to thrive, and it
(11:57):
needs to be on both levels.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
I like that and I agree I hadn't really thought of
it that it needed to be onthose two levels.
And women also really needresources to make things happen.
I know from working and you'veworked for years, too many years
if we say right, that when weare given the right tools, the
(12:21):
right resources and the rightopportunities, we can do
anything.
We just need the chance, rightTish.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Yeah, so I guess what we are asking each and every
one of our listeners is onFebruary or, excuse me, on
Friday Friday March 8th, whichis International Women's Day to
kind of pledge their supportthat they will be part of the
solution, and it starts withhaving the conversation with
(12:53):
other women around them.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
I love that and really taking the time on Friday
to reaffirm our commitment tocreating a world where women are
empowered, valued and included,and that we really actively
work towards breaking downbarriers and doing what we can
to foster diversity, how we canbuild a more equitable and
(13:16):
inclusive society, I think, forour kids' generations and those
generations beyond our grandkids, I mean let's do it Exactly.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
And again, I think a lot of change comes from women,
right.
So what are some ways that youthink that we can move that
needle forward to inspireinclusion?
I know that one of the things Ihad done years ago was I had
volunteered with my high schoolalma mater that I would have a
(13:51):
summer intern come to work withme a few days a week.
I was doing communityredevelopment loans at the time
and I loved doing that, Like itwasn't necessarily the path that
she thought she would go intoin terms of what she wanted to
do and work, but it gave heropportunities to see what it was
(14:15):
like to be an empowered womanin business, and it was that
type of mentorship that thereneeds to be more of.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Absolutely.
I love that you did that, tisha.
I've never done something likethat actually have someone
shadow me and do an internshipin that way but I mentor four
young women, all in their 20s,and I really do think, not only
on Friday but every day if wecould all think about how we
(14:48):
could help give a woman, a youngwoman, a middle-aged woman,
anyone a step up, and so Ireally think that mentoring is a
great way to do that.
I'll also post on the Slackchannel at the company where I
work and I also donate to acharity here locally, which is I
(15:13):
think we used to call it Dressfor Success.
But it's a charity that you cangive business close to, even
for young men, and they helpfolks who are going out for a
first job or a new job andreally prepare them, not just in
the way they look, but a lot ofother ways.
So I really like the idea ofthinking about a charity where
(15:38):
you can do something as simpleas donate a work suit you
haven't worn in the last fewyears, right To help someone.
Really, you know, get a leg upon the next thing.
You know like oh sorry, I wasgonna say I like this idea of
paying it forward with the nextgeneration.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Yeah, I think we need to always be looking for ways
to inspire inclusion around us.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
I agree, and, you know, I think we can't be
complacent and we can't get tothe point where we're just, you
know, not thinking about itoften enough On, I think, the
organizational level.
There are so many ways toensure the needs and interests
of women and girls are valuedand included, and there's this
(16:32):
hashtag, inspire inclusion, andthis is, like we said, the whole
point of our podcast right isbeing inclusive and really
taking on mid-life, lifting upwomen to be all they can be.
So we see this also in areasTisha.
(16:53):
I think you're going to give usa few right.
Some of these areas.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
You know, I think I'd like to highlight some of the
women that have been our guest,as well as some of the programs
and women that we know that canmove that needle forward to
inspire inclusion Awesome.
So I had read this article thattalked about different ways
that you can inspire inclusion,and so we're going to go through
(17:16):
each of those and then talkabout different episodes or
different people and programsthat kind of talk to that.
So forging women's economicempowerment.
You know, on episode 28, we hadour friend, lisa, and her
family does all kinds of fundingin Africa for different
(17:37):
programs and one of the onesthat I found so fascinating was
they fund the money boxes and,you know, for a very small
amount of money they start womeninto being entrepreneurs in
their little tribes and tosupport each other.
And if you want moreinformation about that, episode
(17:58):
28,.
It is such an inspiring story.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
I love that one and let me add to it episode 45 for
Oregon Chai tea founder, loriSpencer.
She works with local women nowto help them in business
development really how to buildtheir businesses and using all
of the experience she had fromdeveloping a chai tea in her
(18:23):
parents' garage all the way upto a national brand that she
sold, and the focus for her onrecruiting, retaining and
developing female entrepreneursand talents.
I think it's a great episode.
So, episode 45, lori Spencer.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Yeah, I like her, give back attitude.
So another way that we can movethe needle towards inspiring
inclusion is designing andbuilding infrastructure meeting
the needs of women and girls.
So I have been following thiswoman, elizabeth White, and
she's the founder of New AgeCo-living and they are committed
(19:07):
to smalling up living, for youknow what they're fine.
What she's finding is women,especially when they're older,
are living this secret life ofnot having enough, and she's
very committed to helping olderwomen that are struggling
financially and bringing themtogether and creating small
(19:30):
housing and things like that.
Amazing, inspirational woman.
I would love for her hopefullyto come on our podcast at some
time, but her story is great.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
And we'll put a link, of course, to all of these in
our show notes, and Elizabethsounds absolutely like a woman
that we want to talk to.
I'm going to say good healthcare for women.
You know we need to be helpingwomen and girls make informed
decisions about their health,and we have a guest coming on,
(20:05):
susan Salinger, who has a booksideline about empowering women
in their health care decisions,so stay tuned for that one.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
That is going to be a powerful episode and it's one
that I think all women need tohear because you'll be faced
with it at one time or another.
So another important area wouldbe involving women and girls in
sustainable agriculture andfood security, right.
So it reminded me of ourepisode 69 with Chef Laura
(20:38):
Pauley and her work that she hasdone with World Kitchen to feed
people all over the world.
She was recently in the Ukrainehelping to feed the people, you
know, devastated by the warover there.
And it also reminded me of ourepisode 61, where Mary Fleming
(20:59):
traded in her corporate careerto start you know, start having
a farm and I was just there thispast weekend where she does
this goat, this baby goat,cuddle session.
It was so fun, but she hasgoats and chickens and other
animals and she does amazingthings on her farm and, of
(21:21):
course, I got my farm fresh eggs.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
And some really good photos with baby goats.
But I have to say that bothLaura working for World Central
Kitchen and Mary, their storiesare really inspirational, so I
hope folks tune into those.
So another way to reallypromote International Women's
Day is this idea of providingwomen and girls to quality
(21:48):
education and access to training.
And I want to just throw outthat April 25th is take your
daughters or granddaughters towork day.
So everybody out there who'sstill working, even if you don't
have a daughter or agranddaughter, take someone
else's right, Tish.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
I can't say this enough If you have the
opportunity to inspire a youngperson, just to have experience
in the workplace beingprofessional, whatever it is you
do, you don't know where that'sgoing to lead that person.
So, april 25th, start talkingto your bosses and see if you
can bring somebody along withyou.
(22:26):
So okay, so I wanted to talkabout elevating women and girls
in participation andachievements in sports.
You know our Episode 55, whereyour very good friend Julia, who
is a former ballerina.
She reimagined her life to keepworking with her passion and
(22:52):
dance and she now choreographsand puts on performances and
dinners on a family farm inCalifornia wine country.
I mean, how good, how muchbetter can you get than that?
Right, you cannot, you cannot.
But also you know supportingand working with groups that
(23:14):
work with young girls, such asgirls on the run that uses
running as a basis to startbuilding self-confidence,
kindness and decision-makingskills.
And, of course, you know myfondness for the Girl Scouts.
But beyond the whole cookiething, girl Scouts build a
(23:35):
tremendous amount of skills.
So if you can volunteer yourtime to get involved in
organizations like this, do so.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
I love it and I have to say Julia will put a link to
that episode.
You know, what I found out fromknowing her is that ballet is
probably one of the mostphysically rigorous things that
you can do.
And what she has done betweenchoreographing for different
companies and then doing thesefarm to table dinners with
(24:09):
ballet performances up in thewine country an amazing woman.
So you know, back in episodefour when we were newbies to the
podcast, kind of hard for us tolisten to in a way.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
I know, I know, hey, you got to grow from somewhere.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
We did.
But you know our friend of theshow, ellen Howard.
She came on and she chatted alot about her prior career in
finance and, after havingchildren, her desire to take her
painting from not just a hobbybut to a profession.
And she has not only an artinstructor, she has had board
(24:52):
seats on different art.
You know organizations here inCalifornia as well as being an
active plein air artist.
And you know she is taking agroup to Spain this spring later
in the spring to expand notonly her view but the view of, I
(25:13):
think, the people going on thetrip to do plein air painting in
Spain.
So you know that is somethingto really admire when you are
able to take something like anartistic talent and create a
profession out of it.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
And she has done it so well, and you know it's a lot
of work, but she has.
She is the poster child ofliving your dream.
And, come on, you're takingartists to go paint outside in
Spain.
I don't know if it gets muchbetter than that.
I mean that is just theultimate.
Well, the other thing would beaddressing further areas
(25:50):
supporting the advancement ofwomen and girls.
And it just reminded me ofepisodes 58 with Fordham
University law professor JulieShuck, and excuse me and she
wrote a book we, the Women, andit's the, it's the history, the
100 year history for the fightfor women in the United States
(26:13):
to have the ERA pass the EqualRights Amendment, and you know
that's all about the advancementof women.
We need to be having theseconversations, we need to be
promoting these women who aredoing spectacular things to move
that needle forward.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
I absolutely agree and I loved meeting Julie, the
book we the Women, and she has asecond book out as well.
Every one of us should reallyunderstand where we are with the
ERA Tish, and I think talkingto Julie made me aware of things
that I wasn't in the past andthat we still have a fight ahead
(26:56):
of us here in the United States, yes, and it's hard to believe
that a lot of other countriesare much, much further ahead of
us on equal rights.
So I hope these stories that wejust shared around, these
episodes about these amazingwomen, inspire you, our
listeners, for InternationalWomen's Day.
(27:18):
There's something for everyonehere to light you up and get you
going and get you motivatedabout celebrating women.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
You know, share your own stories with your friends of
women that inspire you, womenwho are living their best life
and are moving that quoteunquote needle forward.
So, margie, make sure you alsopost a picture where you're
posing with your heart hands youknow where you make the heart
(27:50):
symbol with your hands and postit.
You know, inspire inclusionhashtag inspire inclusion Start
talking to other women about howimportant this truly is.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
I love that.
I kind of always think ofTaylor Swift when I think of
that.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
I don't know about you I don't know why.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
I think that might be her her hand.
But yeah, inspire inclusion toall our listeners.
We hope you enjoyed thisepisode this week and we'll be
shared to post our picturesright Tish this Friday on our
socials.
So it was great to talk aboutthis very, very relevant topic
(28:36):
today.
Speaker 2 (28:38):
So until next week, midlifers inspire inclusion.
Speaker 1 (28:46):
That's right, until next week.
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