It began in New York City on March 8, 1857, when female textile workers marched in protest of unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women. It was one of the first organized strikes by working women, during which they called for a shorter work day and decent wages.
Erica Cronan, Global Marketing Manager, Datadobi
“Although the message of International Women’s Day is not restricted to just one day of the year, the chosen subject for this year urges us to think explicitly about eliminating biases. The impression of what women can and cannot do is a major source of hardship for many.
We’ve come a long way in eradicating some of the stereotypes about women in technology, but we still have a ways to go. Encouraging women and allies of women worldwide to demonstrate their support in a variety of ways is crucial to breaking barriers. Look inside yourself to see what beliefs you might be holding that are still contributing to the issues that women encounter in the workplace.
In the same way, I urge women in tech to be open to mentoring new team members. We can achieve gender equity and a more balanced workplace by having strong female role models in the field. I am grateful to be a part of an organizational culture that supports diversity and encourages women to express their creativity and develop new skills. The leaders and organizations we as women must select must promote equality.”
Francesca Corsini, US Regional Sales Manager, Datadobi
“I am very fortunate to have strong female role models and to work for a company that values growth, support, and opportunity for everyone, equally. Their mentorship, guidance, and support helped me establish a career in tech. Hard work and dedication should not go unrecognized regardless of social, economic, racial, and religious differences and choices.
Innovation and technological breakthroughs are driven by our unique ideas, differences, and perspectives. It is our responsibility to continue building a world that fosters equal opportunity and brings a diverse set of minds to the table.”
Jamie Hawkins, Marketing Director, DH2i:
“Today more than ever, women have more opportunities to create the future we want. While overcoming biases, the world’s workplaces continue to make great strides, with prevailing research touting the benefits of doing so. According to McKinsey, companies with significant female representation are 25% more likely to outperform male-dominated competitors. Likewise, Gartner research states that inclusivity can improve team performance by as much as 30%.
I myself am fortunate to work for a company that fosters an inclusive workplace that empowers every individual to reach their full potential. Beyond ethical motivation, DH2i recognizes that an inclusive workplace is a powerful business strategy that brings a rich variety of backgrounds, experience and thought-processes to the table. In doing so, organizations can enjoy fresh approaches to problem solving, original thinking and innovation that result in significant competitive advantage, greater profits, increased shareholder value and long-term success.”
Juleen Konkel, General Counsel, Imply:
“Although we only celebrate it one day out of the year, the spirit of International Women’s Day is something we should take with us and remember every single day. That spirit of creating a world where we see and recognize the contributions of women on this planet.
It’s especially important that the spirit of International Women’s Day carries over into the business world. Businesses thrive on innovation and creative ideas, and it’s proven that the best way to fuel innovation is to create a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. Inviting women to a seat at the table and to participate will challenge each other to work harder and think critically and more broadly — ultimately resulting in new opportunities and more success. Conversely, teams who are not mindful of this are more likely to become complacent and stagnant, unable to think outside an ever shrinking box.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme of #EmbraceEquity is very fitting as it’s a time for businesses to look at the conversations they are having about the future and encourage those voices not often heard. Not only will it have positive effects on their bottom line, but it will also have positive impacts on their communities and the world for years to come.”
