Every year on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as a powerful reminder of the progress women and girls have made in many areas of life. And it’s an opportunity to celebrate achievements and raise awareness about the challenges women still face.
Started in the early 20th century as part of the labor movement, IWD was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly 50 years ago. This year for IWD and Women’s History Month, we’d like to spotlight progress for girls and women in different areas of life.
Girls & Teens: Building Confidence Through Sports
For girls, access to sports has often been a gateway to greater confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills as evidenced by research from the Women’s Sports Foundation. Initiatives like Title IX in the United States revolutionized girls’ participation in sports, ensuring that schools provided equal opportunities regardless of gender. Today, programs like Girls on the Run continue to empower young girls.
My coach said I run like a girl. And I said if he ran a little faster, he could too.
Mia Hamm
Unfortunately, body confidence issues during adolescence can lead 45% of teenage girls to quit sports, according to the Dove Self-Esteem Project. With efforts like Dove’s to educate parents, teachers and coaches, more girls are likely to stay in sports. And with schools growing competitive sports offerings for girls, these are great opportunities for fun, friendship and conquering challenges.
Sara and I deepened our friendship when we both joined the first-ever girls’ soccer team at our high school in Lexington, Kentucky. Along with our teammates, we were bold enough to learn something new, an experience that helped us bravely face other challenges as we matured.
Adulting: Navigating Careers and Family
As young women start careers, the growing number of employee resource groups and mentoring programs like Menttium, that I was a part of during my late 20’s, can be springboards for growth. These groups can offer a mix of individual development opportunities and networking. This past Friday, my company celebrated 25 years of our 12,000 member women’s employee network group with compelling stories of achievement and an inspiring talk on presence by Dr. Amy Cuddy.
Another advancement for women is the growth in MBA program enrollment. When I was a first-year student at the University of Chicago’s MBA program 30 years ago, my class was 19% women. Today women make up 42% of Chicago Booth’s enrollment.
However, while career supports for women have grown, some of the biggest challenges we face are not in the office, but at home. Navigating the demands of parenthood while working was something I was completely unprepared for. When I started a family in 2006, there weren’t online communities like the Society of Working Moms, celebrating its first anniversary next week. When I wanted a more flexible work arrangement when my boys were young, I would have benefited from online platforms like The Mom Project that connects women with companies offering remote job opportunities tailored to parental needs.
Later Chapters: Supporting Each Other
As we progress in life, sharing experiences and mentoring younger women can be incredibly rewarding. I’ve mentored women at work, and Sara and I have both hosted young women through foreign exchange programs. These experiences brought new cultures into our homes, and I’ve seen how time spent in the US with our family helped shape future life paths of the au pairs we’ve hosted.
When we make time to show up for other women, it’s good for our mental health as well. These meaningful social connections can reduce stress and anxiety, and “these alliances can open doors to new possibilities and help navigate challenges more effectively,” according to WomLead Magazine. In mid-life and beyond, we may navigate health challenges related to menopause. Women have long felt isolated and misunderstood during this stage of life. Now, with physician advocates like Dr. Mary Claire Haver helping to demystify menopause, we’re making progress to enable women to live more fully regardless of age.
Looking Ahead
I like that International Women’s Day is a reminder that gender equality is something that benefits all people, not just women. By celebrating achievements and addressing challenges, we can ensure that every girl and woman, regardless of age, has the chance to realize her full potential.
Language of Friendship 
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