Rethinking Britney: Protection or Patriarchy

Issue 170 — June 28, 2021

My weekly zoom with women friends who have been staying in touch through the pandemic recently focused on how hard it is to get old ideas and solutions out of their heads when a new and better one has been proven more effective.

The examples mostly came from the world of science and medicine, starting with Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis who was hounded out of the medical profession in the 19th century. Dr. Semmelweis observed that simply washing hands after treating other patients could significantly reduce maternal mortality. Despite a growing body of scientific papers that backed up his theory, most physicians refused to change their traditional practices, and eventually had Semmelweis committed to an institution where he died.

The SumGloria FeldtJune 28, 2021Patriarchy, Mental Health, ActivismComment

Making Change on the Court: Naomi Osaka Serves Mental Health Concerns

Issue 169 — June 6, 2021

As a girl, I loved tennis. I was never destined to be a Naomi Osaka, but I played regularly until I was 13 years old. Then my family moved to a small town where the only public tennis court was at the local high school. Soon after arriving in town, I went there with a girlfriend.

The court bordered on the street. A few minutes into our game, a carload of teenage boys parked in front of the court and shouted remarks about our physical appearance. We ignored the boys till they left, then packed up our racquets and went home. I never played tennis again.

The SumGloria FeldtJune 6, 2021implicit bias, Female Achievement, Mental Health, IntentionComment

Being Between: The Power To Create What’s Next

Issue 168 — May 31, 2021

It’s graduation season. A time of traditions.

Last year, graduation traditions, or rather the lack of them were a shock to the system. Regardless of which of the three available responses schools chose — cancel, postpone, or scramble to go virtual —there was much hand-wringing and mourning about what the students would miss.

The SumGloria FeldtMay 31, 2021Covid-19, adaptation, Workplace CultureComment

Sisterhood Co-opted or Amplified: Are you Cheney, Stefanik, Peralte, or Emily?

Issue 167 — May 17, 2021

Every time I make a speech or do a leadership training, a woman inevitably asks, “What about women who don’t support other women? Why are women so hard on other women?” Or, “What do I do about a woman who is trying to sabotage me in my career?”

The SumGloria FeldtMay 17, 2021Career Choice, women supporting women, #SisterCourage, PoliticsComment

Power Up: Igniting the Intentional Leader for DEI

Issue 166 — April 19, 2021

Did you ever have an idea and after some months it actually happens? Were you surprised? Excited? So sure it would come to pass that you weren’t worried about it even when it seemed like it would be impossible to achieve for whatever reason? All of the above?

Do or DEI: Why Most Diversity Programs Fail and How To Succeed Instead

Issue 165 — April 5, 2021

“And in a world where everyone strives to act, think and look the same — being different is truly something to be proud of. That’s why I’m very proud to be autistic.” – Greta Thunberg.

The SumGloria FeldtApril 5, 2021Diversity Equity and Inclusion, intention, leadership training, Workplace CultureComment

Why Do We Need a Women’s History Month?

Issue 164 — March 29, 2021

First a fun quiz.

Do you recognize these women?

The SumGloria FeldtMarch 29, 2021Women's History Month, womens movement, Women Leaders, 9 Leadership Power ToolsComment

Say No To Hate: Teach Equality, Justice For All

Issue 163 — March 22, 2021

First and foremost, I stand and Take The Lead, as an organization, stands in solidarity with Asian Americans, and against the rising hate crimes and harassment against them.

Since hearing the terrible news of the murders of eight people, six of them Asian women, in Atlanta massage parlors on March 16, the words of the song from Rogers and Hammerstein’s 1949 musical South Pacific have been repeating in my mind.

The SumGloria FeldtMarch 22, 2021Asian Women, Sexism, RacismComment

Let’s Get Radical: Support International Women’s Day 2021

Issue 162 — March 8, 2021

This March 8 is an International Women’s Day like no other.

Let’s first take a moment to recognize the millions globally who have suffered illness and those who have died from Covid-19.

The day we now celebrate with flowers and tributes to the advances women have made began in 1909 as a radical call by women in the Socialist Party of America for workers’ rights and women’s rights — both very radical notions at the time. This included safe workplaces and efforts to prevent sexual assault and violence in war zones and elsewhere. Sound familiar? Not really so very radical is it?

The SumGloria FeldtMarch 8, 2021International Women's Day, carpe the chaos, gender roles, gender equality, Covid-19Comment

Lucky 7: Saluting Take The Lead’s 7 Years On A Mission To Parity

Issue 161 — February 22, 2021

Grady Gammage auditorium, with its classic Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, buzzed with excitement, filled to its 3000+ seat capacity on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Local people who were unable to get tickets hosted watch parties in their homes and offices, and dozens of groups from India to Seattle sent pictures of their watch party events.

Carla Harris’s electrifying opening keynote trended globally on Twitter before the crush of internet users broke the venue’s internet capacity and made our livestream spotty. Even that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm.

Untangling From COVID: The Toll On Women and The Solutions Moving Forward

We await near-universal availability of vaccines and see the daily morbidity and mortality toll of COVID, while the economy takes a dive and frontline workers are nearing their breaking point. An initial solution to slowing the spread of the disease—working from home and schooling at home—is taking its tangled toll on families, creating a whole new set of problems, particularly for women.

The SumGloria FeldtFebruary 7, 2021Covid-19, childcare, Mothers, women of colorComment

It’s Black History Month and 15 Black Women Are Making History Today

Issue 159 — February 1, 2021

Oprah’s O Magazine is a rich resource if you are looking for information about Black History Month. And no doubt your inbox is filling up with proclamations and programs in celebration of the month that highlights the past accomplishments of Black men and women.

The SumGloria FeldtFebruary 2, 2021Black History Month, Black Entrepreneurs, black women in leadership, know your historyComment

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