When women’s accomplishments are not documented, published or promoted, it leads to a lack of role models for girls and women to emulate.
When Roosevelt asked Perkins to join his Cabinet, she agreed on the condition that he support her sweeping social program agenda which included the 40-hour work week, minimum wage, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, elimination of child labor, Social Security and universal healthcare. Roosevelt endorsed the agenda and Perkins became the first female U.S. Cabinet secretary.
Perkins forged the blueprint for the Social Security Act, signed into law in 1935, and oversaw crafting of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which set a minimum wage and maximum work hours and abolished child labor. A 1944 Collier’s magazine article, “,” said “the Roosevelt New Deal” was more aptly titled “the Perkins New Deal.”
By the time of Roosevelt’s death in 1945, Perkins had accomplished all but one of the items in her original agenda: universal healthcare.While these are just a few examples of pioneering female role models, many more exist. But you must hunt for them. Look for and share examples of female role models in your field. They may require specific key words to find them. For example, a Google search of “female explorers” returns 27.
on women. Share information about women on social media. Publish blog posts on your own website or write articles for popular press sites.If you are a conference or event organizer, make sure that women are equally represented as speakers and panelists. If you are a man asked to participate on a manel, suggest female colleagues to join or even to take your place.
Recently I participated as the lone woman on a virtual cyber security panel in which many of the attendees were college students. At the conclusion of the talk, a female student thanked me: “You have helped me see that I do have a possibility to get a job and actually succeed within my major.” Exposing the achievements and stories of historical and present-day female role models can go a long way towards advancing gender equality for future generations.