Since 1987, March has been designated National Women’s History Month, a month dedicated to honoring women’s contributions in US history and formally recognized by the US Congress.
This year’s theme, as set by the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA), is Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations, recognizing the powerful influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership.
As I draw on my own career experiences, it is clear that how I show up for women can be powerful and influential.
I make conscious and choreographed choices to forge opportunities for those around me, and you can, too.
My actions speak louder than my words, and I choose to participate in events across our industry that celebrate and nurture women with professional development and support.
Here’s how we can collectively promote education, mentorship, and leadership during Women’s History Month to advance women in the fresh produce industry.
Through Education
Women hold varied positions in the fresh produce industry at every organizational level. Our roles and influence are growing, as is evident by the number of women we see at conferences and trade shows and in seats around essential tables.
However, a quick head count also illustrates that there is no true balance of equals yet.
During National Women’s History Month, we should focus education not on the diversity of women and men in a given room or role but on comparing where we are now to where we have been.
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Women are leading national associations. We see more and more women appointed as CEOs and Executive Directors in our industry than in past decades. And those women at the top are reaching back and exploring how to inform and influence with their newly earned status.
They are shaping the narrative around the importance of having a women’s perspective to offset the status mindset of a male-dominated decision-making body, and the industry is benefiting from these new perspectives.
Through Mentorship
Although women no longer gather in hushed places to protect the stories and antidotes they share among themselves and from generation to generation, they are gathering. While the stories of past experiences are essential to the development of our industry’s future, the benefits of mentoring far exceed those of shared learning.
Mentoring women successfully helps minimize feelings of isolation and increases their self-confidence and work engagement.
To further expand, the mentorship of women in the fresh produce industry occurs everywhere!
The International Fresh Produce Association runs formal programs in partnership with Lean In, and many organizations across the industry now offer a Women’s session for education and networking in their programming—some limited to women’s attendance only and others open to all genders interested in the development of female professionals in our industry.
Mentorship of women does not need to be limited to women mentoring women. It should have the empathy and capacity to show up with the perspective women seek to advance, and a mentor can support and nurture them.
I also encourage men to seek mentorship and to be mentored by women who will enrich their professional experiences with new perspectives, a diversity of opinions, and lived experiences.
Leadership in Women’s History Month
People often discuss that for women, arriving professionally means finally obtaining a ‘seat at the table.’ I challenge this milestone by suggesting that arriving is when others view you as an authority, an expert, and a voice.
I find a deep pride in leading and being seen as a leader. But I also carry the weight of the authority of leadership bestowed upon me by those who choose to see me as such.
Being a female leader and guiding future generations of women in produce from this vantage point is as exciting as intimidating.
My journey was unconventional, as many are. I did not come into produce with any agriculture experience or formal marketing training. Yet, I find myself in a position of knowledge and influence on marketing, agriculture, and agri-marketing.
The career steps, the ‘follow my gut’ decisions, and choosing to open doors closed in front of me have shaped who I am today. I know that my actions are a testament to my leadership and that not only does my narrative shape the thoughts and opinions of women around me of who they believe I am. Others’ perceptions are their realities.
A strong leader will help to positively shape those perceptions for the advancement of an industry that includes all perspectives from all genders.
In celebration of National Women’s History Month, I encourage you to reflect on how you think about women in the produce industry and how you might educate, mentor, and lead the next generation of women who choose to grow their careers in fresh produce.