Why Women’s Leadership Is The Secret To Family Economic Security
Issue 245 — November 20, 2023
Scrolling social media, as I do far too much, I saw this post:
You can read the full article and the full reaction of my friend Nathalie Molina Nino, co-founder of Known Holdings, here.
But do not despair, because YOU ARE THE SOLUTION.
Yes. Women’s leadership is the solution.
It won’t fix every problem in the world, but it certainly can’t hurt to try something different. Because the current situation isn’t working at all. Not on the global scale, and certainly not, as the article argues, within the family economy.
Until women hold equal pay, power, and leadership positions, these disparities will continue.
Giving women the mindsets, skillsets, and actionable plans to change those disparities is Take The Lead’s mission. And that’s why I created the 9 Leadership Power Tools to Accelerate Your Career program that Take The Lead offers online and in person to individuals and organizations.
A few data points from The Hill article explain the underlying problems:
Nearly 6 in 10 women are living paycheck to paycheck, compared to 41 percent of men, according to a recent study by Varo Bank, Morning Consult and THRIVE Financial Empowerment Services of 1,004 Americans who regularly spend most or all of their income.
Women represent two-thirds of those considered financially fragile, a subset of Americans living paycheck to paycheck who lack any financial slack or support.
Women have historically been paid less than men for the same jobs, leaving them with less surplus money to invest in the stock market or put in savings for an economic downturn.
It’s obvious, though usually not acknowledged in the discussions about women and leadership that permeate the media, and that often paint women as the problem rather than the solution.
Here’s my comment I posted in response to Nathalie’s:
‘This is a natural consequence of the gender pay gap, funding gap, and implicit biases. But we have seen over and over that even people who have little formal power can create big social change when they band together in an organized movement. The current union victories and votes to secure reproductive rights are two examples. We have the #power as you are showing with #Known. But it takes #leadership and I dare say more #womenleaders who know their #powerTO and use it. That’s why @TakeLeadWomen delivers its #50womencan Change the World cohorts.”
If you are as tired as we are from talking about the problems and are ready to focus on the solution, join us. We’re planning to scale up big time in the next year to serve more women, with a particular commitment to women of color.
Giving Tuesday is November 28. If you’re so moved and want to help, here’s how you can donate. Your contribution will be matched by some generous donors.
My great-granddaughter Ava wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.
Keep your vision big, your courage high, and your energy focused into action, ladies!
Have a restful and delicious Thanksgiving.
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.