March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history. However, it’s important to recognize that women’s contributions should be celebrated and acknowledged year-round. Women have played a significant role in shaping society and continue to do so today, despite often being overlooked or ignored in history.
At JeffreyM Consulting, we are proud to have a workforce that is approximately 68% women, with 80% of those in leadership positions, according to our 2022 data. As we reflect on the contributions of women throughout history, it’s important to recognize the attributes and characteristics that many of these women share. These qualities are what enabled them to make significant impacts and achieve their goals, and they can inspire us to pave the way for future generations of women. Some of the key attributes and characteristics that many of these women share include:
- Breaking the rules
- Leading with empathy
- Bringing others with you by listening, teaching, and coaching
- Never giving up
- Maintaining an optimistic and can-do attitude
Here are some examples of women in history who embody these attributes and characteristics:
- Louisa May Alcott: Despite financial difficulties, Louisa wrote “Little Women,” one of the most famous novels in American history.
- Lucille Ball: Lucille became one of the top comedians of her time with her sitcom “I Love Lucy,” which featured storylines about women in the workforce and marital issues.
- Helen Keller: Despite being deaf and blind, Helen became an author, lecturer, and disability rights advocate. She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Amelia Earhart: Amelia was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and continues to inspire girls around the world.
- Eleanor Roosevelt: As First Lady, Eleanor advocated for human rights, women’s rights, and children’s causes, changing the position of the First Lady in the process.
- Naomi Parker: Naomi was the inspiration for the iconic “Rosie the Riveter” poster, which encouraged women to join the workforce during World War II.
- Queen Elizabeth II: One of the longest-reigning monarchs in history, Queen Elizabeth II made numerous changes to the monarchy during her rule and had to make difficult decisions.
- Rosa Parks: Rosa’s refusal to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, helped spark the civil rights movement and efforts to end segregation in America.
- Althea Gibson: Althea was the first African American woman to play at Wimbledon in 1951, paving the way for future generations of Black tennis players.
- Amy Tan: Amy’s book “The Joy Luck Club” gave a window into the relationship between Chinese-American women and their Chinese immigrant mothers. It became one of the longest-running New York Times bestsellers and has been translated into 25 languages.
Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history and recognize the qualities that helped them achieve their goals. By embodying these attributes and paving the way for future generations, we can continue to make progress toward a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
