Wear the Shirt of Change: Representing the Power of Women's Leadership This Giving Tuesday

Issue 246 — November 27, 2023

No doubt you have noticed that Giving Tuesday 2023 is today, November 28. I’m challenging you to share what’s on the shirt of your convictions about women’s leadership.

My personal favorite shirt is historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s well-used quote, “Well behaved women rarely make history.” But today I’m wearing the shirt designed by Michael Stars for this Giving Tuesday.

Suzanne Lerner, CEO of Michael Stars, wearing a Michael Stars Giving Tuesday shirt, designed to support Women Wage Peace, the largest grassroots peace movement in Israel, made up of Jewish and Arab women. It’s always women’s leadership that aims to use power for good, as Take The Lead teaches.

The Back Story Behind “Wear the Shirt”

The concept of “wearing the shirt” struck me during my tenure as CEO of Planned Parenthood in Arizona. I was chatting with three young women in our Casa Grande clinic. They contemplated whether to change out of their Planned Parenthood shirts to avoid criticism. It’s a normal human reaction.

Yet this metaphor symbolizes our collective commitment to women’s equality and parity in leadership. It became my Leadership Power Tool #6 of the 9 Leadership Power Tools to Advance Your Career.

My response was, “This is precisely when your shirt is most important. It’s not just a piece of clothing; it’s a declaration of the values and commitment you embody.” Thus, “Wear the Shirt” became a symbol of communicating one’s convictions. Leaders do exactly that, for people follow people with a point of view and the courage to share it.

I’m not saying this is always easy. We must consciously choose power over fear. This is a principle core to Take The Lead’s programs that are proven to accelerate women’s leadership journey.

Amplify How You Wear the Shirt

Shirts can be declarations of our presence and influence. By wearing my Take The Lead shirt, I’m not just showing support for a cause close to my heart; I’m affirming the power I already possess in advocating for intersectional gender parity in leadership.

We give this shirt to every participant in our powerful 50 Women Can Change the World program.

Suzanne Lerner, Michael Stars Cofounder and CEO, Received Take The Lead’s first Wear the Shirt Award

Last year at our annual Power Up Conference, we gave the first Wear the Shirt Award to Suzanne Lerner for always living her commitment to social justice through her philanthropy and that of the Michael Stars Foundation. We are grateful for her consistent support of Take The Lead.

Actress Kathleen Turner, the recipient of this year’s “Wear the Shirt Award,” similarly lives her convictions and never hesitates to use her celebrity power to amplify her commitment to women’s rights.

Celebrating Unity and Strength Across Genders

You might have seen this (adorable if I do say so myself) photo of me and my late husband Alex Barbanell. He loved asserting his feminist convictions. And if your shirt highlights male partners, consider allocating your Giving Tuesday contribution to Take The Lead to the Alexander Barbanell Leading Man Award fund.

Design Your Shirt, Voice Your Strength

Because our shirts are canvases for messages about our most deeply held values. I encourage you to design your own shirt that represents your commitment to the causes that ignite your passion. Here’s a template you can use.

Then snap a picture of your shirt and post it on social media. Be sure to tag @takeleadwomen on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and X, and @taketheleadwomen on LinkedIn and Facebook. I’m @GloriaFeldt everywhere.

Investing In What Matters to You: The Act of Conscious Contribution

On Giving Tuesday, we focus on giving back — not just in charity, but as an affirmation of our role in shaping the world. If you’re passionate about intersectional gender equality and leadership, consider supporting Take The Lead.

You Can Support Take The Lead This Giving Tuesday HERE 

Our mission is bold, and with your support — a reflection of the power you inherently hold — we can continue making significant strides.

“How do you wear the shirt this Giving Tuesday?” is an acknowledgment of your strength, your power, and your influence. So, wear your shirt, capture those moments with pride, and let’s make this Giving Tuesday a landmark of fundraising to help women attain fair and equal shares of leadership positions across all sectors.

GLORIA FELDT is the Cofounder and President of Take The Lead, a motivational speaker, a global expert in women’s leadership development and DEI for individuals and companies that want to build gender balance. She is a bestselling author of five books, most recently Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics, and How Women Will Take The Lead for (Everyone’s) Good. Honored as Forbes 50 Over 50, and Former President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, she is a frequent media commentator. Learn more at www.gloriafeldt.com and www.taketheleadwomen.com. Find her @GloriaFeldt on all social media.