[This Women’s History Month blog post is being shared after March, but as a Women Owned Business, we decree this is okay, because every month should be Women’s History Month. Carry on.]
As a women-owned business, it can seem like every month is women’s history month. Other times, it feels like we’re right in the middle of the struggle. For every time we celebrate a win as a WBE, there’s are three times we can tell the boy’s club is in play.
(Yes, we can tell, in case anyone thinks they’re sneaking that by us.)
I’ve done plenty of talking over the years about what it means to be a woman in contract furniture. The historically-white-male-dominated industry has changed in the decades since I started, and now more than ever, it’s clear we’re standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. With the next generation of professionals coming up behind me, those shoulders are mine too, which is pretty darn cool.
So to celebrate, really celebrate, the women in our field, in the last few days of I’d like to acknowledge a group of women who inspire me professionally and personally every day: the lady members of the burkeMICHAEL+ team.
You are workers, breadwinners, and householders. But you’re also moms, daughters, partners, and siblings. We could also add neighbors, room parents, schedulers, physician assistants, personal shoppers, travel agents, chauffeurs, committee members- the list goes on. The number of times in a day you have to change hats is ridiculous. The amount of information holding, solutioning, and emotional weight you pull on behalf of yourself and your tribe is immeasurable.
And through it all, you have a full-time job, in field that demands all of you. You’re superwomen, and I hope you know it.
As Women’s History Month draws to a close (and by the way, we deserve more than a month), take a moment to tell the women in your sphere they’re amazing. Chances are they really need to hear it right now, and as often as possible. They say we can’t have it all, but by god, you’re doing it all. Cheers, kudos, and I hope you find time this week for an undisturbed nap. You’ve earned it.
Mary Frances President + Ringmaster
burkeMICHAEL+