It's March And Women Are Stressed

It’s March! and that means it is Women’s History Month! This month, we take the time to honor and reflect on the contributions that women have made to society. In the past, women have fought for and won the right to vote and we are currently fighting for equal pay and for the rights of victims of sexual assault (#MeToo). Like other formerly disenfranchised groups, women’s voices have historically been silenced leading to the disparities mentioned earlier as well as disparities in healthcare, education and almost every other facet of life.  

Over the past twelve months, these inequalities have become greater as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. My friend, Christine Koh, had an amazing write-up in The Washington Post about her experience navigating the pandemic as a mom. Her article Why working moms deserve a tantrum (and how to get through the remainder of the pandemic), is a glimpse into the oftentimes imperfect side of motherhood. Her highly stressful ordeal reflects the shared experience of moms across the globe who are trying to manage a job in addition to a hectic household. Christine has given tips for retaining sanity as the pandemic trudges into its twelfth month (number three has helped me immensely). 

​But us working mothers, surprising to say, could be considered the lucky ones. Other working moms have lost their jobs and struggle daily to make ends meet with whatever they can while balancing a stressful home life. The Center for American Progress published the article entitled “When Women Lose All the Jobs: Essential Actions for a Gender-Equitable Recovery”, written by Diana Boesch and Shilpa Phadke. In this article, the pair illustrates the job loss inequality in America. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to layoffs and business closures, but women have accounted for over half of these pandemic-related job losses with minority women affected the worst (Boesch and Phadke). As women have been leaving jobs during the pandemic, it is clear that something must be done. 

But what can I do?

• Support women-owned businesses and women-owned small businesses. As most people are aware, small businesses have been hit particularly hard during this pandemic. Take a page from Vice President Kamala Harris: support local, woman-owned businesses. 
• Consider supporting an increase of your state’s minimum wage as well as a universal minimum wage. Despite how you may feel about a universal minimum wage, this failsafe could have kept women and their families from facing complete financial devastation during this time. Helping women helps their children and, on a larger scale, their communities. Beyond the pandemic, a universal minimum wage could help close the earnings gap and empower women who are in a financially compromised situation, such as economic or financial abuse (a definition of financial abuse is outlined on the website for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). Pressure your local, state and national government representatives to support this measure by Tweeting them, calling them or by writing a strongly worded email or letter. 
• Amplify women’s voices by supporting women writers, speakers and artists. Read a book by a woman author. This blog post by Alexandria Coleman is an amazing list of resources to get you started. Support women artists by purchasing their work or by following them on social media. Lastly, support women bloggers and podcasters. Have you subscribed to the Let’s K12 Better Podcast? 
• Learn how race and class impact the lives of Black, Indigenous, and non-black women of color. There are so many false definitions and theories circulating around what intersectionality is. Intersectionality is the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups. Learn more about intersectionality from the founder herself, Kimberlé Crenshaw through her TED Talk “The Urgency of Intersectionality”. You can also read my blog, “I Sit in the Transition… Waiting” which touches upon what it’s like to be Black and a woman.

We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go until women fully experience the equality they deserve. This month, raise your level awareness about what women are collectively experiencing. Leverage your privilege to elevate the voices of women who are experiencing injustice or inequity. Take a moment to realize that it's not just about gender, but race and socioeconomic status plays a part in the layered ways that women experience pay, healthcare, job security, access, wealth, and more. Let's continue the work!

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Read about my own journey balancing womanhood, motherhood, and work:

• Parenting In A Pandemic
• Moving Your Momming From Middle Management to Executive Leadership
• Your Questions About Work, Caregiving, and COVID-19, Answered
• It’s A Vicious Cycle
• My Cape Has Hella Holes In It
• Ferris Wheel Of Exhaustive Misfortune
• Twirling Plates Come Crashing Down
• Let's Get Real... Wellness Moments for Mom​
• Mom Confession: I’m Stuck