This month’s blog was inspired by a woman’s guest appearance on the talk show “The Real.” Her personal story about how watching the show helped her to push through after losing her 21-year-old son was emotionally inspiring. But what really spoke to my heart were two simple key words that she said, “push through.”
Those words resonated with me because for the past two years, I feel like I have done nothing but continuously push through in all areas of my life. However, those two words are not just unique to me. I feel like that is something that all of us as women do. I feel as though we are genetically wired to push through the circumstances life throws at us – whatever, whenever and wherever. And we do it successfully. In fact, we have become masters at pushing through.
We’re doing it now and we’ve done it throughout history. Women’s History Month pays tribute to not only those fearless women leaders from our past who used their voices in the struggle for women’s rights and equality like Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Candy Stanton and Harriet Tubman; it recognizes the unsung everyday difference makers, like you and I, whose push through contributions have continued to change the plight of women even when our actions have gone unnoticed. Our collective efforts matter. I matter. You matter.
So, in honor of Women’s History Month I want to pay tribute to all women especially those of you reading this blog at this moment for being masters of pushing through. For being masters of pushing through in the home, church, education, social services, the workplace, government and on our military battle fields.
To push through takes strength, courage and faith!
Today I applaud you for pushing through, but I also challenge you, because it’s no longer enough to simply push through. It’s now time for us to push up! Accelerate the progress.
Why? Because despite decades of progress for gender equality in our society, there still remains an enormous gap in the U.S. and countries around the world. A 2015 Women in the Workplace survey report by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company finds that women remain underrepresented across workplace organizations.
According to LeanIn.Org and McKinsey, “Women in the Workplace found that for numerous reasons, women are simply less likely than men to advance: they experience an uneven playing field, with their odds of advancement lower at every level; there is a persistent leadership gap in the most senior roles; gender diversity is not widely believed to be a priority; and while employee programs designed to help balance work and family are abundant, participation is low among both sexes due to concerns that using them will negatively affect their careers.”
As history has shown, these obstacles and barriers don’t have to be our tomorrow. We have made progress. Just not enough. As a matter of fact this report and this study was not put together to discourage us as women. Quite the opposite. It is part of a long-term partnership between LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company to encourage female leadership and foster gender equality in the workplace.
That is why it is up to us change the status quo and to do our part no matter what type of work we do. I say, like those that have come before us, let’s defy the status quo and change the way we think about the barriers that still exist.
Let’s push through and push up!
It’s not enough for us to put our heads down and simply try to crack the glass ceiling by running into it. As women we must lift our heads up, put our arms out and with confidence push through and push up to get to the next level – to elevate ourselves to new heights and bigger dreams.
I dare you to strike that defiant Wonder Woman stance and channel all the confidence, strength and power you have to push up.
Push Up to Make It Happen!
Push Up to New Heights!
Push Up to Greatness!
I dare you to set audacious goals, dream big and push up for you, for me, and the generations to come. Like those who fought so fearlessly before us, there is strength in our numbers, so let’s unite, push up and #MakeItHappen.
I’m pushing up – are you?
Andrea
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