We're done with International Women's Day until next year...
so that means things can get back to normal now, right?
If reading that intentionally ludicrous statement made you angry, good!
I hope it did.
And I trust as you read this you'll remember that while it's fine for companies to talk and post about International Women's Day every March 8th...
... it doesn't mean anything unless they do something for women every other day of the year.
Actions matter far more than words.
Twelve years ago, when my wife and I first became parents, my much-better-half decided she wanted to stay at home and be the primary caregiver for our daughter.
So that's what she did.
Over the next seven years, we had three more amazing children. You might think being the primary caregiver to four high-energy kids would keep my wife more than a little busy, right?
You'd be correct, it certainly did. But just as my wife was becoming a Mom, she decided she also wanted to become an entrepreneur.
So that's what she did.
She started a newborn-and-family-photography business, teaching herself not only how to take incredible pictures, but also how to edit photos, build and maintain websites, create and run Google ads, and more. (Shameless plug: if you're in the Greater Toronto Area and want to capture some incredible memories of you with your family, check out her website!)
Now, why do I mention all of this here?
Because my wife recently decided she wants to resume her career as a fundraising professional, which she did for many years before becoming a parent.
And if you're a hiring manager, and the thought of hiring an entrepreneurial woman with four children makes you stop and think anything other than "Holy f*ck, this person must be INCREDIBLE... how does she manage all of that?!?"...
... then I hope you and your company weren't hypocritical enough to make any posts about International Women's Day on March 8th.
"Performative" belongs in the theatre.
Actions matter far more than words.
P.S. I discovered this brilliant out-of-home campaign and thought this would be a good place to share it. It was called "Step in Inequality" and was created by the Miami Ad School. Sadly, it was developed almost six years ago, yet the message remains relevant today.
