Equality in the Workplace

I started to reflect on this as we close out American Women's History Month.

I always hoped to advance the cause for my two daughters (my son will be just fine).  I believe I've blazed a few trails to some extent; I studied ComputerScience and Math in University - two tracks entirely dominated by males.  Upon graduation I joined the tech world - 20+ years ago that was also a man's domain and to a great extent today, still is.

But how far have we come for my daughters?  Not too bad in my humble opinion.  Here is my sage wisdom garnered over decades of trying, failing, learning and growing.

 - You can have an impact on how equal your work environment is by how you behave
 - Everyone respects excellent work
 - Don't feign interest in sports, golf or anything else you truly don't like - it will be all too obvious
 - Genuine humour builds bonds across gender lines (don't take your job or career so seriously that you can't enjoy your peers - male or female)
 - Don't deny your femininity - I dress feminine, my Tag has a pink shell background, I wear shoes I love - and yes, sometimes open-toe sandals
 - Don't emulate men in any way
 - Call a spade a spade - don't mouse around tough issues
 - Leave your mothering instincts at home
 - There are plenty of male mentors and leaders who want to help you - find them and listen to them

Thankfully there are other factors that have changed since I entered the workforce and it has helped equalize the 'perception' of men and women's work ethics.  Men today are not all work.  They have family responsibilities; something that has weighed women down for decades and hindered them from advancement - called 'the mommy track'.
Men today change diapers during forecast calls, leave early to pick up their kids, take days off to coach soccer tournaments and make dinner.  This has made all the difference in the workplace not just because there is more empathy for family life, but because it has freed up women to pursue their careers more aggressively including travel which has been the most difficult to juggle if you don't have a spouse who shares the responsibilities at home.

It's not all blue skies though.  On the downside there are still vestiges of a male dominated work world that just don't seem to have budged.  The one that hurts women the most is when male camaraderie influences decisions and behaviour.  It's not pervasive but it's there.  It's subtle, almost imperceptible and I believe for the most part unintentional but it's there.

So, yes, it's improving but in inches not strides.  I'll take it nonetheless.

Kiva is not charity

What a brilliant idea; giving individuals the ability to lend money to others around the world.  With the enormous failure of our banking system, our lending system and our distrust of both, isn't it about time we take it into our own hands.  Yes, it's on a small scale but that's exactly what makes it doable.

So I chose who I want to lend money to based on their proposed enterprise, gender or country.  I chose women; individual women trying to better their lives and that of their family.  It resonates with me.  They pay you back over several months or a few years - sometimes at $1.25 per month.

Personally, I'm choosing to pick one woman each month.  We are so fortunate in this country - it compels us to reach outside our borders and wish the same fortune on others.

Best of all, it's not charity.  This gives the recipient enormous pride in their venture. To know that someone, many actually, believe in what you are doing and are willing to personally sponsor your efforts even if they live across the globe and will never meet you.

This is humanity and technology at their finest.