Today is Women’s Equality Day – a day in history when women acquired the right to vote, which officially became a part of the U.S. Constitution, a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement for Women. Through the decades, from CEOs, lawyers, doctors, scientists and business owners – and who are also mothers – women are becoming more powerful.
From goddesses to Hilary Clinton, powerful women have been recognized since the beginning of time. One of my personal favorites is Rosie the Riveter, one of the biggest female cultural icons in the United States. For those of you who don’t know your U.S. history, Rosie the Riveter was one of the American women who went to work in shipyards and in factories while men were overseas during World War II. During this time, over 19 million women in the United States went to work demonstrating women’s economic power for the first time ever.
In 2016, we are seeing more and more women taking on business leadership roles and even dominating roles that are traditionally held by men, including construction and other trades, doctors and surgeons, and even politicians. According to an article published by Forbes, here are some the most powerful women in 2016.
Here are some reasons why women are rising to economic power and contributing more the business world and society.
1.) The Economy. More and more women are going to work today. But they aren’t just going to work, they are also taking on powerful roles. Although house wives and stay-at-home-moms are still out there, the fact is many families can no longer live on single incomes. In today’s day and age, not only do more women want to work, they also need and want to contribute to the financial stability and security for their families.
2.) Better Lifestyle. As mentioned above, many have women have made the choice to enter the workforce to grow and develop their own careers. In fact, according to the United States Department of Labor statistics:
– 57 percent of women participate in the work force today
– 70 percent of women that participate in the work force have children under the age of 18
– 26 percent of the people who are employed in computer and/ or mathematical occupations are women
3.) Education Matters. In the last twenty or thirty years, more than half of the women in the country acquired at least a Bachelor’s degree, with the majority in 2008-2009. Although having a degree still isn’t necessary to find a job, start a business or be successful in life, the odds are still in favor of those with degrees.
Although more and more women are becoming the “breadwinners” in many families, the pay gap between men and women is still a problem in our country. Even though the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was passed more than 50 years ago, women who work full time all year still only earn approximately 79 percent of what men earn doing the same jobs.
So survey results are in: Women are becoming more powerful, and you don’t have to be a feminist – or a woman, for that matter – to appreciate that. So here’s to all the amazing women I know – whether you are a colleague, a fellow business owner, a lawyer or a doctor or even a full-time mom – or both – you go, girl!
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