BUSINESS

While collectively as a nation—and especially as women—we’ve faced some significant challenges, there still remains much to be hopeful about. (Forbes)

Use our wide-ranging collection of resources to recognize issues that impact women and girls, and honor achievements of pioneering women of the past and present.

Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit.

Discussion Ideas

• 1. More Women Hold Elected Government Positions In The United States Than Ever Before
  • Who are the members of your school board?
  • Who are your local elected officials—such as your mayor, city council members, judges?
  • Who are your state representatives—such as your state senators or governor?
  • Who represents your district in the U.S. House of Representatives?
  • Who represents your state in the U.S. Senate?

• 2. Companies With More Women In The C-Suite Are More Profitable
  • What is the c-suite?
    • C-suite describes a company’s senior management. Some examples might include:
      • chief executive officer (CEO): Usually, a company’s highest-ranking manager and often the chairman of the board.
      • chief operating officer (COO): Usually responsible for the management and day-to-day operations of the company.
      • chief financial officer (CFO): Usually responsible for a company’s financial management (including human resources, budgets, and taxes).
      • chief information officer (CIO): Usually responsible for information technology.
      • chief architect (CA): Usually responsible for designing and adapting information technology systems.
      • chief communications officer (COO): Usually responsible for marketing a company’s message to internal and external audiences, and often working with company’s public relations and customer service sectors.
      • chief science officer (CSO): Usually responsible for research and development practices and applications of new technology.
      • chief legal officer (CLO): Usually responsible for identifying and managing legal issues and corporate procedures, often called a company’s “general counsel” or “chief counsel.”

• 3. The Economic Impact Of Women-Owned Businesses Is On The Rise
  • What businesses are the biggest employers in your city or region?
  • What are the largest women-owned businesses in your area?
  • Take a look at the largest public companies in the U.S. How many are led by women in the c-suite?
  • Take a look at the largest private companies in the U.S. How many are led by women in the c-suite?

• 4. The Wage Gap Has Narrowed
  • Are women paid less because they choose lower-paying jobs?
  • Is it because more women work part-time than men do?
  • Is it because women have more caregiving responsibilities?
  • Do traditionally “feminine” jobs hold lower economic value?
  • How much of a wage gap is there in your state?

• 5. Young Girls Are Growing Up Imagining Their Unlimited Potential
  • What careers do the girls in your class want to pursue? Do they personally know women in those careers?
  • Who are some men and women girls in your class admire?
  • Who are some men and women boys in your class admire?

• 6. The World is Embracing Women of All Shapes and Sizes Like Never Before
  • What diversity do you see in women in positions of authority?
  • What diversity do you see in representations of women in media?
  • Think about:
    • ethnicity and race
    • gender
    • sexuality
    • age
    • disability
    • height
    • weight
    • hairstyles and clothing
    • Review each of the preceding questions and consider women who belong to marginalized groups in the above categories—lesbian, obese, transgender, blind, etc.

• 7. Women are Rallying Together as a United Force for Positive Change
  • Are there women’s groups working for positive change in your community?
  • Think about organizations focused on:
    • improving the quality of the environment
    • supporting the arts
    • improving education and educational opportunities
    • reducing racism and bias such as anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim prejudice
    • reducing poverty or homelessness
    • improving economic opportunities
    • reducing violence
    • reducing inequality

TEACHERS TOOLKIT

Forbes: 7 Reasons to be Optimistic This Women’s Day

Nat Geo: Women and Girls resource collection

GovTrack: Congressional Districts Map

U.S. Senate: Senators of the 116th Congress

American Association of University Women: The Simple Truth About the Gender Pay Gap (Spring 2017)