Sheryl Sandberg Instagram – “I eat that stuff for breakfast!” That’s what one of our new @leaninorg leaders, Camille Taylor, told me about Lean In’s data on women at work when I met with her and some of our phenomenal leaders in DC. These women are running companies, leading teams, giving back to their communities, piloting fighter jets, and leading the local Lean In community.
In 2020 @jessica_ruttenber, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the @usairforce learned that the military didn’t recognize pregnancy as a protected class, which made it legal to penalize servicemembers for having children. She set out to change this — with the support and encouragement of her Lean In Network: Department of Air Force (DAF) Women’s Officers Forum. She worked with Secretary @debhaalandnm’s Congressional office to pass the Equality for Military Mothers Amendment to prohibit pregnancy discrimination across all branches of the military.
Natalie Thomas, a Network Leader with @lean_in_dc,
talked about launching her Lean In “MarketHer” Circle (@themarkethergroup) after reading our #WomenInTheWorkplace report. Natalie wanted to create a space where Black women marketers could find connection with others in the industry. She said, “I’ve often been the only woman and the only Black person in the room. I was craving increased connection with other marketers and creatives during the pandemic”.
Another leader, Baljmaa Zorig (@baljma) shared how her Lean In Circle “Investment Club for DC Women” is working to close the gender investing gap. A professional finance officer, Baljmaa launched the Circle after realizing how little her women friends talked about their finances — especially compared to men. She wanted to create a space where women could pitch stock recommendations, ask personal finance questions, and share negotiation strategies.
Each of these women’s stories is unique, but share a common thread: when women support each other, they can do anything. I saw this firsthand in DC — and hear it in the stories from our Lean In Circles across 183 countries. My deepest thanks to all of our remarkable leaders for the big and small ways they’re building a more equal world. As always, these women inspire me. | Posted on 21/Jun/2024 00:48:49
