Susan Arnot Heaney at an exhibit of women’s crafts at the Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport, Long Island, NY.

By Susan Arnot Heaney

Picture this: It is 1972. I am a student in a relatively progressive suburban public school system, one in which the chorus sang excerpts from “Hair” (I still know all the words to “Age of Aquarius”), but Home Economics was only for girls and Wood Shop for boys.

Along comes a new magazine: Ms. It challenges the patriarchy and traditional roles. It shakes up the status quo. It does not conform to “expectations.”

So the Board of Education in my town banned it from all school libraries. My school system banned Ms..

My mother will tell you my independent streak began to manifest around age three. By the time Ms. arrived on the scene I was living by the words of my favorite poem by Marianne Moore: “If you tell me why the fen/ Appears impassable I then/ Will tell you why I think that I/ Can get across it if I try.”

The ban meant I had to get my hands on Ms. Magazine, which led to the world opening up for me. No beauty tips or how to attract boys or clean your kitchen. I was in heaven. I found my tribe.

There were others who thought like me and felt like me, in particular Gloria Steinem, one of the founders of Ms., who was an inspiration and touchpoint. Suddenly it was OK to be feisty and female.

Halfway across the country, young wife and mother Gloria Feldt also found Ms. Magazine and had a similar response. Ms. helped define a moment and catalyze a movement. For me, it all started with a ban that led to the proverbial “bang.”

“Halfway across the country, young wife and mother Gloria Feldt also found #MsMagazine and had a similar response. Ms. helped #define a moment and #catalyze a #movement. –@SusanHeaney”

Fast forward to February 19, 2024. It is the 10th anniversary of Take The Lead Women, the extraordinary nonprofit organization co-founded by Feldt with the mission of gender parity in leadership.

This anniversary came as threats to women’s advancement were increasing across the U.S. and around the world. As a recent member of the Board of Directors of Take the Lead, I found myself in the proud position of helping launch the anniversary year with a special event featuring none other than Gloria Steinem.

Under Feldt’s guidance as Take The Lead president, we kicked off the anniversary by “taking the lead” to help shape the narrative of women’s power with the virtual event, “Women, Power and Leadership: A Conversation with Gloria Feldt and Gloria Steinem facilitated by Jamia Wilson.”

This event gave unique access to two icons of the women’s movement along with a younger feminist facilitator who together represented different generations focused on the same core issues.

The event was broadcast from Gloria Steinem’s living room, which was for decades a central hub and launching pad for the women’s movement. On event day I found myself literally “in the room where it happened,” standing alongside the two “glorious Gloria’s” and helping spread the Take The Lead Women message to new generations. That girl of 1972 could never have imagined this moment.

And, wow, was it a success. The event was broadcast via Zoom free of charge to ensure accessibility, attracting nearly 1,000 participants from across the U.S. and in countries including Austria, Australia, Bahrain, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, England, France, Mexico, and Nigeria.

Participants posed 1,200 comments and questions in the chat room as the conversation addressed topics including gender justice and equality, handling backlash such as the rollback of reproductive rights, and what is needed in the next generation of feminist leaders.

Watch the winning video here.

Ragan Communications just named Take The Lead Women and Women, Power and Leadership the winner of Best Interview in their annual 2024 Video, Visual & Virtual Awards. These awards celebrate the “outstanding communicators, creative teams and innovators who have set the standard for excellence in visual storytelling and virtual experiences.” Take The Lead is proud to be among the winners.

Learn more about the Ragan Awards here in Take The Lead.

So what can we take from this as we “take the lead?”

Do not stifle your voice. Be feisty. Be a leader. Fight for equity and equality for yourself and others. And support the girls struggling to find their place in a world that tries too often to hold them back.

“Be a #leader. #Fight for #equity and #equality for yourself and others. And #support the #girls struggling to find their place in a world that tries too often to hold them back. –@SusanHeaney”

We are witnessing extraordinary backsliding in the areas of equity, equality, and justice. For those who still believe in banning books, ideas, and even people, be warned. It will only spotlight that which you seek to hide, and it will turn a spark into a fire.

You can watch the entire Women, Power, and Leadership recording here.

Find a complete list of 2024 award winners at the Ragan Communications site.

Susan Arnot Heaney is a member of the Board of Directors of Take The Lead and a former chief marketing and communications officer.