Gender

This Women’s History Month, I celebrate my mother, the author of this quote. She made this remark in response to a compliment. It’s taped on my wall. Little does she know that I see it as a powerful affirmation to those of us who have struggled with imposter syndrome and don’t see the genius in themselves that others see.

My mom was born to a father who worked in a junkyard and a mother who raised seven children. My grandparents were first-generation Mexican Americans. Their two-bedroom home in Watts, California, was filled with lots of love but little money, which also limited opportunities. She often laments that she was raised “just” to be a wife and mother, which she became at just 19. My father struggled with PTSD from his service in the Vietnam War, which he kept a secret from us for decades. Love was not enough to save my parents’ marriage, which started so young and was affected by this trauma. She then had to do something no woman generally plans for – become a single mother. Like my grandparents, my home in Southeast Los Angeles was filled with love and little money, limiting opportunities. 

Today, I’m proud to serve as the CEO of Fenton Communications, a position that, unfortunately, very few women hold, much less women of color. My brother is a very talented and successful electrician at a major corporation. We’ve all come a long way. Growing up was tough as my mom worked hard to make ends meet and raise her children. We are incredibly proud of and support one another in every way, making all the difference in my life.

When my father recently passed away, my mother remarked that she believed his encouragement was a force for me to pursue a college degree. I am deeply grateful that he told me I could do anything, but as we all know, encouragement alone does not guarantee success. I reminded my mother that she fed and clothed me, put a roof over my head, got me to school, ensured I was healthy, and healed me when I was not. She took me to church.

I couldn’t be more impressed.  I am convinced. Convinced that my mother gave me her genius, tenacity, and, most importantly, love. She modeled precisely what I needed to take along the challenging journey of my career. She taught me grit, resilience, grace under pressure, the value of hard work, compassion, kindness, and the power of faith. She’d come home every night exhausted but grateful for her life. I saw that, and I took it in – impressed AND convinced. 

I lead a company committed to social change that is comprised of 70% of people who identify as women.  I am convinced they are making a difference in the world daily, and they are informed by the genius examples of their mothers, aunts, sisters, godmothers, and grandmothers. This Women’s History Month, I invite you to be convinced of your power, beauty, and contribution to creating a better world.  

 

                     

                                                                                                                                                                      

When I began my career in earnest a little more than 12 years ago, I didn’t know about income inequity and its overwhelming impact on women — particularly for Black, Latina, Indigenous and AAPI women. Conversations about pay parity for women were seen as fringe and salary discussions among peers were regarded as taboo.

Though unable to put language to the chasm between my work ethic and the earnings on my paycheck, I could feel and would later learn to articulate the strain of ever-demanding workloads while not having enough money to make ends meet. Something was amiss and it took one call from a recruiter to illuminate the tension I was experiencing.

During one of my first big career jumps a recruiter informed me that, according to market research at the time, I was being woefully underpaid in my role. To make matters worse, I discovered that a white man in a position below mine was earning twice as much money for less work. The revelation of being underpaid lit an indestructible fire within me. In time, I would learn to find my voice and advocate for salaries commensurate with my education, skillset, and experience.

Sadly, my story is pervasive, going beyond an individual anecdote to a systemic issue that has negative repercussions for women and the communities we exist within.

In the U.S., pay inequity for women has held steady over the last few decades. As of 2020, Pew Research found that women earned 84% of what men earned. For non-white women, the data is more alarming. Black women were paid 63% of what non-Hispanic white men were paid in 2019; Latinas are paid only 54 cents compared to a white, non-Hispanic man’s one dollar for completing similar work, and for Native American women it’s 58 cents.

I’m thankful data has created more visibility of the harm income disparity has done to women. But data alone is not enough to paint a clear picture of what pay inequity, and conversely, what pay equity does for women. To address pay inequity with parity is to address women’s social determinants of health and subsequent comorbidities, poverty rates for children, and community infrastructures that require social safety nets. When women are able to earn equitable salaries and fair wages, we are able to build healthier lives that have positive residual effects on our families and communities. For women who are caregivers, higher earnings mean more quality choices for things like childcare for children, caretaking facilities for older loved ones and even fertility needs to support growing families. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, putting more money in women’s pockets vis-a-vis equal pay would lower poverty rates in several states across the country.

So how do we individually and collectively address potential income disparities? For employers, being transparent with employees about “the business of your business” and how financial decisions are being made. Offer insight on the impact of business decisions and employees’ earning potential. Transparency also includes making visible salary bands for all positions within your organization and company. Provide context on what it means to be within the salary band and how promotions correlate with movement through the salary band.

For women employees, conduct an annual salary assessment to understand where you are within the market for your industry. Being equipped with this knowledge allows you to determine whether or not you are in danger of being underpaid and to have conversations about promotions / raises with context. Also, be mindful of looking at your salary in a vacuum. When evaluating your earning potential consider your entire salary package which could include health insurance, bonuses, equity and / or profit sharing, vacation and sick days, FSA or HSA options, transportation stipends, retirement plans with employer matching, and professional development funds to advance your skills. Your take-home salary is only one piece of the puzzle. Your entire offerings package can help build a strong financial foundation.

Finally, men, you play a pivotal role in income parity too. Your voice and advocacy go a long way in protecting your female colleagues, peers, friends and family from being inequitably paid. Be champions for pay transparency in your workplace and create safe spaces for women to share their experiences.

The movement for pay parity is not just about money on a check. Equitable pay for doing the same work as our peers provides women with the respect and dignity we deserve in our workplaces and in society. Honoring our earning potential is to honor the greater good of society because, in the words of Ellevest’s CEO Sallie Krawcheck, nothing bad ever happens when women have more money.

Each year by Presidential proclamation, March is named Women’s History Month to celebrate women and their contributions throughout American history. This prompts numerous think pieces, advocacy efforts, exhibit openings, and festivals all dedicated to highlighting women. We look forward to it every year to learn more about women who broke the proverbial glass ceiling, redefined femininity, fought for justice, led movements, and more.

To celebrate, we at Fenton are sharing a bit about women from around the world who inspire us and whose stories we return to in times of reflection.

1. Stacey Abrams, politician, lawyer, activist, and author

Account Coordinator Adia Aidoo named Stacey Abrams as a key source of inspiration. Abrams earned name recognition across the U.S. – and beyond – for her groundbreaking Georgia gubernatorial campaign in 2018. She is the first black woman to be nominated by a major party for a governor’s seat and fiercely advocated to dismantle systemic racism and strengthen voting rights. 

Adia’s appreciation took root during some of her “most formative years,” while she worked on Abrams 2018 gubernatorial campaign in Georgia.  

“She showed me,” Adia shared, “how when women stand up for what is right and fight for all, true progress can be made. Stacey inspired me, as a black woman in politics, to stand up to the challenges thrown at you with perseverance and grace.”

2. Dr. Lila Abu-Lughod, professor, anthropologist

Account Coordinator Carolyn Hirsch identified Dr. Lila Abu-Lughod, a Palestinian-American anthropologist, as a personal hero for her bold insights on feminism and the Muslim world.

Dr. Abu-Lughod’s work questions and tests Western perceptions, particularly of Muslim women. For example, as part of her research on feminism and the Muslim world, Dr. Abu-Lughod lived with a community of Muslim women in southern Egypt and penned her findings a lauded anthropological ethnography about how the community viewed wearing the veil as an act of agency, rather than “internalized misogyny.”

“She amplified how these women are religious scholars and feminists in their own right,” Carolyn noted, “And she’s made me think more critically about how I perceive myself, women in my community and women around the world.”

3. Josephine Baker, performer, spy

Josefine Baker was a celebrated dancer and entertainer who rose to popularity in the 1920s, making her mark during the Harlem Renaissance in New York and in Paris. But to Chief Digital Officer Shakirah Hill Taylor, it’s not only Baker’s legacy as an “incomparable performer,” as she described her, but also her “multitudinous power,” highlighting her role as a spy for the French military during World War II.

Baker reported on conversations she overheard while performing before Nazi soldiers after Germany invaded France, writing notes on invisible ink on music sheets.

“She reminds me,” Shakirah noted, “of all the ways of being Black women can embody.”

4. Suzanne Sanité Bélair, revolutionary

Lieutenant Suzanne Sanité Bélair was a Haitian Afranchi (a free person of color) born in the 1780s who fought in General Toussaint L’Ouverture’s army during the Haitian Revolution. “She is one of the greatest symbols of strength and power to me,” shared Account Director Val Jean Charles shared, “She remains one of my favorite heroines.”

She is known for leading the uprising of enslaved Haitians and for her courage in the face of death. The French captured and sentenced both Lieutenant Bélair and her husband, General Charles Bélair, the nephew of General Louverture, to death. Lieutenant Bélair refused death by decapitation, instead demanding that she, like her husband, be executed by firing squad.

It’s reported she shouted, “Viv Libète anba esklavaj!” (“Liberty, no to slavery!”) before her execution. “She lived and died on her own terms, proving that – even to the very end,” Valerie shared, “Black women will always fight for our agency to be seen and respected.”

5. Joy Harjo, poet, activist, musician  

Fenton CEO Valarie De La Garza identified Joy Harjo as a contemporary woman she admires for her work across several artistic mediums. A member of the Mvskoe/Creek Nation, Harjo became the first Native American to be named as a U.S. Poet Laureate in 2019.  She’s also written several film scripts and plays and released five albums as an accomplished flutist and saxophone player.

Her work, as Val puts it, “lifts First Nation storytelling embedded with feminist and social justice lenses into her work that incorporates indigenous themes, symbols, and values.”

Harjo’s signature project as Poet Laureate, “Living Nations, Living Words,” launched in 2021, maps Native American poets across the U.S. through an interactive story map paired with an audio collection. It explores the evolution, impact, and relationships of Native languages and poetry over time.

6. bell hooks, author, poet, professor, activist

bell hooks passed away only last December, leaving behind a rich legacy as both an artist and cultural critic. In addition to publishing poetry collections such as And There We Wept, hooks wrote extensively about feminist theory and Black identity in Appalachia.

bell hooks was singled out by several people at Fenton as a source of inspiration. To Chief Digital Officer Shakirah Hill Taylor, her work “rooted me in the praxis of my womanist ideology. hooks calls us to love, reminds us that community is paramount, and surrounds us with the conviction to move beyond the bounds of oppression.”

7. Billie Holiday, musician  

“Billie Holiday was an absolute powerhouse in her craft,” reflected Associate Vice President Aileen Andres.

Holiday rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s for her often-haunting vocals as a jazz and blues singer. Her unique style, which played with tempo and was rife with emotion, has made her widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, and an inspiration to musicians across genres, including Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, and Ray Charles. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

“What I love most about her,” Aileen shared, “is that used her incredibly raw, distinct talent to speak bravely about injustices – like with the song, “Strange Fruit,” a protest song about lynching, which is still recognized to this day as one of the greatest songs of all time.”

8. Eartha Kitt, singer, actor, dancer

Most known as a singer and actor, Eartha Kitt’s performance as a dancer led her to be discovered by Orson Wells and cast as Helen of Troy in his production of “Faustus.” As a Black woman, she redefined the role of Helen and continued to break the mold throughout her career.

“Few entertainers had the ability to master influence in the way Eartha Kitt did during her time in Hollywood,” said Chief Digital Officer Shakirah Hill Taylor.

Kitt was the first Black Cat Woman, playing the iconic role in the 1960s TV show “Batman” and perhaps most widely known as a singer for her 1953 “Santa Baby.”  

She made her voice heard, speaking out against the Vietnam War during a now-infamous luncheon at the White House in 1968, now a subject of a documentary “Catwoman vs. the White House.”

9. Melody Mobley, forester, environmentalist, activist

When asked to name a woman who inspires her, Associate Vice President Susannah Rosenblatt immediately identified Melody Mobley. “A little-known literal trailblazer, Melody Mobley was the first Black woman professional forester ever at the United States Forest Service,” Susannah shared, “there, she overcame discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault by her own coworkers to climb trees, fight fires, run down drug traffickers, and preserve and protect natural resources across the country and the globe.”

She’s fought for greater diversity and representation at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has worked to improve relations between the Forest Service and indigenous communities, including the Hopi Tribe.

10. Nanny of the Maroons, queen  

Shakirah Hill Taylor describes Queen Nanny of the Maroons as “the embodiment of Jamaican tallawah,” defined as impressive, powerful, and strong.

Queen Nanny was the leader of the Maroons, leading her community to victory against British colonizers in the 1700s. She is known today for her skill at organizing guerilla warfare and for her unwavering rejection of British authority and oppression.

“Her boldness and resilience led to the freeing of more than 1,000 enslaved Africans in Jamaica over three decades,” Shakirah notes, “A skilled warrior and freedom fighter, Queen’s legacy towers over the land of wood and water.”

11. Deborah Sampson, revolutionary

“Whenever I talk about women heroes, I think of Deborah Sampson,” shares Account Director Isabelle Levenson. From the same hometown as Isabelle in Massachusetts, Sampson was routinely highlighted in Isabelle’s school curriculum and by her community for her role in the American Revolution. Sampon famously disguised herself as a man so she could fight for American independence.

She was honorably discharged in the early 1780s. In 1802, Sampson went on a lecture circuit to share her experience in the army. Speaking of Sampson, Isabelle reflects: “Her story solidified for me, at a young age, the power and bravery of women.”

12. Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Supreme Court Justice

Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. “She personally inspires me on a number of levels,” Val de la Garza shared. “She now presides in the highest court of the land, showing anything is possible, especially as she comes from humble roots as a working-class Latina from the Bronx.”

Sotomayor was the first in her family to attend college and is a fierce advocate for “ensuring laws are fairly and justly applied for all, particularly underrepresented communities of color,” Val continued.

Well before joining the High Court, Sotomayor sought to rectify discrimination, co-chairing Acción Puertorriqueña while at Princeton University and the Latin American and Native American Students Association while at Yale Law.

Her appointment to the Supreme Court was confirmed in 2009. Since then, she voted to uphold the Affordable Care Act and legalize same-sex marriage and has challenged her peers on the Court on issues including affirmative action, unlawful search and seizures, and corporate finance.

13. Ida B. Wells-Barnett, journalist, activist, educator

Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a prominent journalist and activist, speaking truth to power about racism during Reconstruction.

She is perhaps most well known for her journalism on and work to expose the atrocities of the lynching of Black Americans in the late 1800 and early 1900s and for her contributions to the women’s rights movements. Never one to shy away, Wells-Barnett challenged suffrage organizations to confront racism in their fight for greater gender equality. 

In response to resistance from existing women’s organizations, she founded the National Association of Colored Women’s Club. She was in Niagara Falls for the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), but is not credited as an original founder.  

Wells-Barnett’s legacy is particularly palpable today. As Executive Vice President, Daria Hall reflects, “In 1909 she delivered a speech titled ‘Lynching, Our National Crime’ at the National Negro Conference, the forerunner to the NAACP, in New York City. Ironically – just this month – 113 years after she delivered this speech, Congress passed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, criminalizing lynching and making it punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Imagine the lives that could have been saved had the federal government stepped in sooner. America’s systemic devaluing of Black lives continues to this day.”

 

 

Who are the women that inspire you?
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