Who inspires you?
Leading up to International Women’s Day, I have been thinking a lot about inspiration. I found a few mentors early in my career who supported me and believed in me long before I believed in myself. All of them were men, and they were instrumental in my professional growth.
A few years ago I made a conscious effort to increase the gender diversity of my professional network, and the gender diversity on my personal board of directors — no easy task for someone in tech. I found them. They have been incredible! I learned what I had been missing all of my life: a balanced perspective. A more complete perspective.
I would like to ask you: Who inspires you?
Women leaders are not just an inspiration to women and girls. They are an inspiration to everyone, but we have not been taught to get inspiration from everyone equally. This comic captures how inspiration skews from an early age. Let’s fix that.
This year, for International Women’s Day, I want men to join in. I want everyone to join in.
If you hesitate to attend because you think you’re not welcome, I know what it feels like, but you’ve got to push through that discomfort for the greater good. Feeling like an imposter is ok, and that feeling alone might be enough for solidarity, because I have felt it often in rooms where I have not been represented.
And hey, you don’t even have to leave your house to attend this year! So easy.
Join me. Diversify your network. Get inspired.
