Women Leading!
By: Peggy Brockman
In 1987, Congress declared March as “National Women’s History Month” in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.
In President Jimmy Carter’s message to the nation designating March 2-8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week, he said: “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
I remember my mother’s retirement ceremony almost 30 years ago. She worked for the government at an ordinance depot as a System’s Analyst – but she didn’t start there. She started as a secretary – practically the only job a woman could get some 60 years ago. I remember people speaking of her tenacity for getting what she deserved and rightfully earned over her tenure. She retired a GS-11 and 30 years ago that was unheard of for a woman….she was one of the first if not THE first. It didn’t come easy.
She fought for everything and wasn’t afraid to fight for what was rightfully hers as a woman. She was doing the job of her male counterparts but was not given the title or pay structure because “she should be home raising her four kids”. She was a career woman when most women stayed home. In fact, I learned a lot about becoming a career woman from my mother and I learned to always be willing to go after what I wanted in life. It was a great gift she gave me and what helps drive my career today.
I learned that women can be as good and sometimes better leaders than men. They have the ability to multitask, to see the big picture, and to negotiate quite well. They can lead from both the heart and the head and are very good at being servant leaders – something every leader should strive to be. They are willing to work hard to learn and they are great at continuing to seek more insight and better ways to do things.
I remember one time my mother had to work and my dad took us four children to the parade downtown. He lost one of us, struggled to keep everyone together and basically it became a fiasco that later we all laugh about. He was a great leader in his career field – he actually successfully managed a sewing plant of 400 women – and he was an amazing, father….when we were all contained at home, or one-on-one, or when we all were a little older. But mother could do it all. She worked full time and managed four kids and was room mother at the school.
For all the women reading this article – be proud of who you are and what you do. Being a mom alone is a heroic job, but that AND working a job, or sometimes two or three, is simply amazing. I am not “short stopping” the dad’s here – many of you step up and participate 50% in the household responsibilities as well as work to provide for the family. I applaud you as it is not the norm….especially in my generation.
I applaud organizations like ABWA – the American Business Women’s Association, who recognize women of diversity for all their efforts. I was fortunate to receive the award of being one of the 2016 Top 10 Business Women in America….an award that would not have been available to my mother back in her day. I am proud to carry on the example and of seeing my five daughters being amazing mothers and professional women. Women – we celebrate you this month. Live your passion – discover your dreams – create your future.
**Peggy is the author of “10 Feet from the Edge: Stuck in the Comfort Zone” available on Amazon. You can reach her by email at [email protected]. Peggy is a John Maxwell Team motivational speaker, corporate trainer and life and business coach and an expert in Personality and Interaction Styles. Her website – www.peggybrockman.com. She was selected as one of the 2016 Top 10 Business Women in America by the American Business Women’s Association.
