Congressman Introduces Gender Diversity Investment Act

Someone in Congress has been reading the same research we have about the business case for women in leadership, and is doing something about it. Last Tuesday, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced the Gender Diversity Investment Act, which would encourage federal workers to invest in companies with female executives.

The legislation would create a new stock index under the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) dedicated to “companies that have made a commitment to gender diversity at the highest levels,” said Beyer—meaning that federal employees could invest their retirement savings in companies that are walking the walk when it comes to women in leadership.

The idea makes financial sense for investors; as Beyer put it, “Research tells us that companies with more women in senior management and leadership roles outperform companies that fail to utilize women leaders.” It would also cost taxpayers nothing. A free way to highlight and reward organizations that are getting gender diversity right? That’s something we can get behind.