"Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength."
March is Women's History Month — a month where we celebrate the contributions, ideas, and history of women. On March 8, we celebrated International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year's IWD theme was #ChoosetoChallenge:
"A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions — all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
To celebrate, we asked the women of BAM what they choose to challenge in 2021. The answers reflect the diverse and powerful team of women that we have at BAM. Here's what they said:
I #ChooseToChallenge...
I will #ChooseToChallenge myself and other women I work and engage with to apologize less, especially in a work setting. Women often apologize for things that need no apology. I want to encourage others, and remind myself, that there's no need to be sorry for our opinions, ambitions, or perseverance — women can be any way they choose to be and there is room at the table for more unapologetic, leading women in business and beyond. —— Whitney Wells, Account Director
This year is all about challenging the "should and should nots" of being a woman. In January, I packed up my belongings, kept only what could fit in my car, and set off on a year-long road trip across the U.S. As I told friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances about these plans, the most common response started with, "But, what if...?" What if I didn't feel safe, what if I got lonely, 'what if' this or that. Each day that I'm on this trip, I'm choosing to lean into an unconventional way of life as a solo female traveler. I #ChooseToChallenge the should and should-nots of being a woman.
—— Brenda Manea, Account Director
I #ChooseToChallenge the idea that a woman must think of starting a family first before excelling in her career. There are many women out there that strive to be successful in their careers AND want families, but work toward their success first and it's often looked down upon. In 10 years, I want women to feel empowered to have a kick ass career and then think of starting a family in her later 30's without feeling ostracized or judged for it. —— Merrita Llarena, Senior Account Executive
I #ChooseToChallenge the way things have always been done, especially if it oppresses, isolates, or hurts groups of people. I choose to be compassionate, determined, and brave, lifting those around me in the process.
—— Jenny Bourne, Senior Account Executive
This year I #ChooseToChallenge the toxic idea that's been pushed on working mothers that they can truly 'have it all' if they just work hard enough. The reality is, 'having it all' often comes with guilt and shame — guilt that you're either failing at work or at home, all at the same time, and the pandemic has made this worst. Sure, you can be a working mom, but the idea that you can be a working mom, plus take care of your home, manage the household activities for everyone, cook a hot meal everyday, manage friendships, exercise, and take care of yourself WITHOUT completely burning out, is ludicrous. Life is all about balance, and that applies to work and home — figure out what a healthy balance looks like for you and let all the other sh*t go. —— Sarah Pekala, Associate Account Director
I #ChooseToChallenge staying quiet in a room full of men. Women should feel empowered by friends and colleagues to speak up and share their thoughts and ideas, especially in the boardroom.
—— Amanda Mieczkowski, Senior Account Executive
I #ChooseToChallenge the messaging I received growing up in a religion that told me my only worth and value as a woman was in being a wife and mother. I am proud to have shed the expectations placed upon me. I am proud to be a woman who has carved out her own path and constructed her own definition of worth and value. I honor and value all the parts of my identity from woman, advocate, coach, dreamer, daughter, friend, sister, communicator, athlete, creator, warrior, champion of others, do-er, listener, believer, teammate, and the list goes on. —— Jill Veglahn, Head of People
My challenge to fellow agency owners and CEOs overall is: first, pay women well. Second, pay women the same amount that men receive for the same job. Despite the PR industry being dominated by women by more than 70%, there is still a pay gap. A recent PR Week Salary Survey found that this gap is still persistent at the in-house VP, in-house Director, and the Executive Vice President levels. The pay gap in tech is far worse across the board and particularly for people of color.
—— Beck Bamberger, Founder and CEO
I #ChooseToChallenge a society that penalizes women for speaking their truth, but praises men for speaking theirs.
—— Sarah Alumbaugh, Senior Account Executive