07 Dec A movement: TIMES Person of the Year for 2017

After watching a man who had 10 women accuse him of sexual abuse and harassment –a man caught on tape describing how easily he could “grab [women] by the pussy” whether they wanted him to or not and intentionally walk into dressing rooms where teenage girls were naked (Miss America Pageant), after watching him become our new president (over a far more qualified female candidate…Hilary, you deserved better), one might wonder if women would ever feel empowered to stand up to this kinds of predatory behavior again.

After all, there is so much at stake when accusing someone far more powerful and connected than you.
It can easily destroy a career, not to mention your life.

However, it seems something else has happened. Instead, in less than a year, we’ve hit a watershed event. Trump’s election (and likely Ellen Pao’s failed 2012 sexual discrimination case against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers) seems to have triggered a simmering rage at the injustice that so many women face on the daily in the media, politics, and at work.

Times Magazine: Person of the Year 2016

In the last 5 months that simmering anger has boiled over as a few brave women (and some men) have stepped forward to name their attackers. And, countless women have spoken out about the prevalence of sexual harassment as the #MeToo wave hit almost everyone’s social media feed. As awareness and outrage has grown, TOLERANCE has dropped.

The result: Accusations of masochistic, sexually inappropriate behavior & abuse are causing heads to roll. From Uber’s toxic culture & Travis Kalanick’s resignation, to the monstrous acts of Harvey Weinstein, and Matt Louer & Bill O’Riellys’ sexual misconduct in the workplace, Roy Moore’s pedophilia and attacks on teenage girls, and Al Frankin’s comedy era “groping”… this is something new.

What we’re seeing wouldn’t have happened 5 years ago or even 2…what was at first a “moment,” now seems to be a movement.  There is no shortage of stories, data or first-hand experience on how inherent bias & sexism (and racism) creates an unfair work environment that fundamentally limits access to power & opportunity (not to mention the toxic and sometimes dangerous work environs that result from putting too much power in the hands of one gender and race).

Times Magazine: Person of the Year 2017

Simply put, women are tired of “BroCulture” and “boys will be boys.” We want something WAY better. What we don’t want is the likely backlash that these kinds of movements & moments create. Power clings to power…but here’s the thing: There is plenty of room at the top and a desperate need for diversity at the top to help STOP this kind of abuse and systems that perpetuate inequity.

Simply put: We ALL deserve something better. It’s time to teach our children and men better.  It’s also time to take stock of how we portray women and men in work and our culture.  We can only hope that this movement will start healthy discussions about how we can all be better to each other. How to embrace empathy as a guide. How we can be allies and support each other in healthy, mature, professional ways.

Because when we all feel safe at work and all have the same opportunity to rise, WE ALL WIN. Better products, happier people, more meaningful experiences and healthier work places…we should all want this.
…That’s our 2 cents.

Read the TIME: PERSON OF THE YEAR article here.