It’s March. You know what that means – no, not Holi, not St. Patrick’s Day, and not even March Madness basketball time. Okay, so maybe you don’t know: it’s Women’s History Month! Yes, there is a month celebrating women’s contributions to historical events and contemporary society. Even if you haven’t heard of Women’s History Month, you probably recognized and even celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th this year.
But what is this month really all about, and why should you care? For a moment just forget about celebrating all women and just think about the women in your life: what have they done for you? One thing is for sure, no matter who you are or where you came from, one woman gave birth to you. You ought to thank her for that. Like it or not, she made huge sacrifices with her body for 9 months to bring you into this world, not to mention the lifetime after that she spend raising you, keeping you fed, clothed, happy, and healthy.
Let’s not forget, this was only the first woman you came into contact with. She certainly won’t be the last. Take a second and think about your daily life: who do you see, who do you talk to, who do you interact with on a daily basis? If you are like many reading this, you are a working professional and run into a number of people, both men and women, in your commute, in your office, or during your lunch break. If you’re a woman reading this, let me ask you: how are your relationships with other women in your office? That is, assuming there are other women in your office.
Many working professional women are still in the minority in the workplace, in meetings, in workshops, at a conference. Despite the ratio in real life, women are still not as strong in numbers in the workplace. So ladies, when do you run across another female colleague, remember to support her. Don’t just support her for the sake of it, but support her because you mean it. Support her because you remember what it’s like to be one of the few there (or the only one sometimes)! Don’t forget we are all on the same team, women and men alike, but having some special bit of support reserved for other female colleagues is okay now and again. Then share the love! Help those who helped you. You never know whose help you’ll need tomorrow.
Women helped build the world, one brick at a time, one baby at a time, and women are now shaping the future, one business transaction at a time. Need some inspiration? Take a look at Forbes’s list of the 20 Most Powerful Businesswomen in the World, which includes many COOs, CEOs, and more! Don’t forget to comment below and share your own success story, or that of a friend or colleague.