International Women’s Day 2018

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day. I am reminded of an AWC National Conference speech that is especially fitting today because the topic is still trending.

UN Women, and Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka were honored with the AWC Matrix Foundation Advancement of Women Award at the 2015 National Conference.  The keynote address at the conference was given by Nanette Braun, chief of communications and advocacy at UN Women. The award recognized the organization’s global efforts to increase women’s leadership and participation; enhance their economic security and opportunities; and end violence against women, probably the most pervasive human rights violation that affects as many as 1 in 3 women and girls. In this context, the award specifically recognizes UN Women’s advocacy initiative Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality, which urges governments to make national commitments to ensure women and girls can reach their full potential by 2030.  UN Women also developed the HeForShe campaign, a solidarity movement for gender equality spearheaded by UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson to engage men and boys as advocates and agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women’s rights.

Listening to our inspiring speaker, I asked myself “How can we as communicators contribute to this cause?”

Women Taking Action

The answer is to be fearless in the pursuit.

We can take on leadership roles and open doors for those women who come behind us.

We can find our own voice and lend it to the organizations and movements that support these goals. In Iowa where I live, in addition to AWC, we have 50/50 in 2020, Iowa Women Lead Change, the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, Nexus, Iowa Women’s March, and others. Your community will have similar organizations.

Run for local offices. In 2018, we are seeing an explosion of women stepping up to seek and win positions on our city councils, state legislatures, and other governing bodies. Or advance to the national stage and let your voice be heard.

Women Supporting Women

Most importantly, we must lift each other up. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. That is the magic of AWC to me. It offers connection to women with similar interests locally and across the nation. It offers a supportive and nurturing atmosphere. It offers collaboration and opportunity for advancement. This is the promise that our founders made 109 years ago.

~ Peggy Fleming

Director, AWC National Board

President, AWC Greater Des Moines Chapter

Director of Communication and Engagement, West Bank, West Des Moines, Iowa