Women Reaching for Equality

Women’s rights became public issue when the suffragette movement spread. On August 26, 1920, the 19^th Amendment was enacted, granting women the right to vote in The United States of America. Every year since then, this day reminds us all of the progress made and to be made in creating a truly equal society.

We asked some of the influential women at National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) how women’s equality affects their professional lives and why it’s significant to local government.

“I have been very blessed with strong supporters and advocates throughout my life, men and women who encouraged and mentored me to pursue my education and work with no thought of a gender barrier. Because of that support, the few times I have faced gender discrimination, I have experienced it only as a temporary anomaly that I could move past. In my anger and disbelief in those moments, there were women and men who shared my outrage and had my back. It makes me reflect with such sadness that there are so many girls and women across the world whose full capacity is not valued and who face long odds in the pursuit of education and work. Potential for great contribution is stifled – a loss for them, their families and their neighbors - as educating and empowering women is a sure way to improve the economic and physical health of communities.” – Sonya Wytinck, Director of Research

"As a woman of color living and working in 2016, I feel blessed for the opportunities I've had to pursue and advance my career.  However, it's clear to me that our nation and our world have quite the ways to go when it comes to equity.  Growing up, my family taught me that I must work twice as hard as my wealthier, white peers in order to achieve the same positions and successes.  Now as an adult, I still adhere to that concept as I seek success (in finance, authority or otherwise) in my career, and it has served me well.  But wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to teach our daughters this lesson?" – Angelica Wedell, Marketing and Business Development Coordinator

“I think the role of women in local government is vastly important. I’ve read numerous articles showing the communication skills and finesse especially inherent in women. In local government, communication is the best way to connect with residents, colleagues and council members. I myself am constantly trying to improve my communication skills with those around me so that our interactions are productive and achieve a positive outcome. I think that is a major role of local government as well.” – Erin Dixon, Social Media Coordinator

Women have come a long way in the battle for equal rights, pay and treatment, but the fight continues, led by organizations such as League of Women in Government, He for She, National Organization for Women and many more.

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