The Network of Women Who Are Supporting Women
The pandemic has affected everyone around the world in one way or another, but for women, the effects have set us back generations. Reshma Saujani, author of “Pay Up, The Future of Women and Work”, lays it out best where she writes:
“Historic numbers of women left their jobs in 2021, resulting in their lowest workforce participation since 1988. Women’s unemployment rose to nearly fifteen percent, and globally women lost over $800 billion in wages. Fifty-one percent of women say that their mental health has declined, while anxiety and depression rates have skyrocketed.”
These numbers are jaw-dropping, but a bright spot is this growing movement of women supporting women. Invitation-only networks such as Chief and job marketplaces including The Mom Project are paving the way for other women to create networks, clubs, resources and more to empower and help each other grow their careers.
Here at 143 Communications, we’ve been lucky to have been accepted into networks that have been incredibly valuable to us both from a new business perspective, as well as just meeting other like-minded women looking to grow their careers.
The Female Founder Collective is looking to elevate “women on a mission to break barriers” and this spoke to us on so many levels. After each of us had our second children in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, we were determined not to let the lack of resources and support stop us from continuing our careers (hence the founding of 143). The Female Founder Collective is full of incredibly impressive women and a resource we continue to benefit from.
We also had the honor of being accepted into the Old Girls Club (OGC) and initially the name alone drew us right in. Focused on women in tech and venture, topics range from angel investing to emerging tech to just plain old “momming”. This too, has been a source of new business, helpful tips and overall career advice.
We are so grateful for these networks and hope more continue to pop up because the only way we can close this workplace gender gap is by lifting each other up. According to this recent INSIDER article, “Overall, women who were full-time, year-round employees made 83 cents for every dollar men made in 2020, based on median earning data from the Census Current Population Survey. That means women are paid about 17% less than men.” This again is another unaccepted statistic and as moms of little girls, we want to be part of the movement that creates a world for our daughters where opportunities are equal and the same for everyone.
Be sure to check out the above networks and if you need a referral to either of them, please send us a note over at our Contact Us page. We would love to help!
~Jamie & Tess