Newsletter

March 2019 Newsletter

Every Battle Counts

Women’s History Month, 2019, opens on a world in flux. The #MeToo Movement is in mid-swing, providing a voice to long-silenced victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, financial and human rights experts search aggressively for ways to close the gender pay gap, and for the first time since its initial proposal in 1923, the Equal Rights Amendment—guaranteeing equal rights to women under the United States Constitution—could be passed into law.

In spite of this, the World Economic Forum predicts it could still take another 100 years before we close the equality gap between men and women. Are we bound by this dire prediction? The example set by one of our nation’s most important leaders, Eleanor Roosevelt, challenges us to believe we’re not.

“Surely, in the light of history,” she said, “it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear… For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done .’ ”

Speaking in practical terms, however, believing in change is only half the battle. How do we, as leaders, facilitate this change we imagine? Again, Eleanor Roosevelt offers timeless leadership advice:

“With the new day comes new strengths and new thoughts.” When Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt entered the White House in 1933, serving as First Lady entailed little more than playing hostess for state dinners. Rather than resign herself to this limited function, however, Eleanor Roosevelt chose to redefine the position to suit her strengths and goals, holding press conferences, traveling around the country, and using her intellect and political position to champion human rights. She single-handedly redefined the role of United States First Lady, and paved the way for the important work done by that office in the years since. Lesson #1: Define your own role as leader.
“A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping-stone to the optimist.” Just two days after becoming First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt held the first ever women-only news conference in the White House Red Room as male reporters looked on from the doorway and laughed at the group of “docile news hens” listening to Roosevelt with rapt attention. It was a bold move—and much more calculated than those laughing reporters realized. As the Great Depression entered its lowest point, anyone deemed nonessential was at high risk for being laid off, including female reporters who were not allowed at presidential news conferences. However, through these women-only conferences, Eleanor Roosevelt not only provided job security for female reporters in attendance, but virtually guaranteed each news outlet would hire and retain at least one female reporter to gain access. Lesson #2: There is always a solution—be creative.
“We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time...” When Eleanor Roosevelt discovered the poor quality of treatment provided to shell-shocked sailors at a federal mental hospital, she personally petitioned the Secretary of the Interior to remedy the situation. When apprised of the squalid conditions in the West Virginia coal town of Scott’s Run, she immediately petitioned for governmental aide and then visited the town to ensure its people received it. And, at the Southern Conference for Human Welfare’s 1938 convention, when told by police she would not be allowed to sit beside a black colleague because a city ordinance outlawed integrated seating, she placed her chair in the aisle between the black and white sections in public protest. While best known for addressing humanitarian wrongs on a large scale, Eleanor Roosevelt understood every injustice is worth opposing and never shied from the smaller fight. Lesson #3: Every battle counts—start where you are.

March 8, 2019 marked the 108th International Women’s Day, and while we have much to celebrate, we still have much to work toward. We, as leaders, can be instrumental in changing this, but only if we lead with courage.

At a time when navigating the changing waters of social reform can lead to confusion, the example of successful, historical leadership serves as a beacon. Eleanor Roosevelt often said, “Courage can be as contagious as fear,” and her human rights victories, both large and small, show us the forward change one determined leader can make in the lives of many.

Are you wondering how to lead your organization toward a fairer, more balanced workplace? Let us help! Our unique approach to leadership training harnesses the power of experiential learning to teach time-proven leadership methods that get results. Let us share more leadership lessons from Eleanor Roosevelt in a workshop or staff retreat. You bring the team members, and we’ll create an immersive learning program, linking timeless historical examples with your individual workplace issues.

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Eleanor Roosevelt understood that equality for women is a human rights issue, not simply a women’s rights issue. What are some ways we can use her example to facilitate a more balanced workplace? How does everyone benefit when men and women are treated equally? Please share your stories and ideas in the comments section, below.