In a world where equality is often misunderstood, it's crucial to recognize the unique strengths that women and minorities bring to the business landscape. This article delves into the importance of celebrating these differences rather than striving for mere equality.
I have a vibrant sign over my desk, bright pink with white letters, that reads: "All men are created equal... poor things." This sign serves as a daily reminder that women and minorities should not merely aspire to be equal to the "norm" but should embrace their unique strengths and perspectives.
For years, I've believed that women bring a distinct and valuable perspective to the business world. This belief was recently reinforced when I read an interview with Marianne Sensale-Guerin, the Small Business Administration’s Small Businessperson of the Year. In her interview with BusinessWeekOnline, Sensale-Guerin emphasized the importance of treating employees well, offering them insurance, flexible hours, and vacation time. Her ultimate goal? To be successful enough to sell her business to her employees, allowing them to reap the benefits of their hard work while she retires.
Reflecting on the early days of the women's liberation movement, I recall being part of the businesswomen’s association of Silicon Valley. Back then, we spent an entire meeting debating what kind of scarf or tie to wear with our business suits. The consensus was to wear something as close to a man's tie as possible to "fit in." Thankfully, we've come a long way since then.
My grandmother was an entrepreneur before the term was even coined. During World War II, she ran a gas station and managed a small farm, proudly displaying stickers from the Army and Navy, each representing a son in service. She raised her sons alone and continued her work until her death a decade later. She didn't have time to worry about fashion; she had more important things on her mind.
The modern women's liberation movement owes much to the legions of women in the mid-20th century who fought for equal pay, better working conditions, child care, health insurance, Medicaid programs, and work-sharing. These efforts have significantly improved our part of the world. However, there is still much work to be done.
Imagine if women had simply put on suits and said, "Yes, sir." Instead, we chose to be different, to represent the under-represented, the poor, and the neglected. This choice has made a significant impact, and we must continue to fight for these values.
A recent program on the History Channel highlighted how Nazis believed that American women couldn't contribute to the war effort because they couldn't do anything more severe than dust a table. They didn't know Rosie the Riveter, or you, or me.
We must continue to celebrate our differences and fight for the unique strengths that women and minorities bring to the table. It's time to embrace diversity in business and recognize that our differences make us stronger.
I will continue to fight so that women and minorities don't have to be equal to men. Will you join me? It's time.
By embracing diversity and celebrating our unique strengths, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous world for everyone.
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