It's Still Not Enough

Katerina Taylor, President and CEO DeKalb Chamber of Commerce ​@katconsults

Just last month , women across the globe were celebrating Women’s History Month and recognizing game changers that have been committed to the development of multiple generations of women. Some of us attended ceremonies to honor great women and others spent time mentoring. While I spent time doing some of both, I came across an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle by Harvey Mackay that made be proud, but also made me question what more can I do to inspire, influence, and lead women at all ages and stages of their lives. According to the article Women’s contributions to business being highlighted, recognized, the number of women entrepreneurs is multiplying two to four times faster than men, depending on which part of the country you live.

As the first woman President and CEO of a chamber in the third largest county in the state of Georgia, I see everyday how challenging it can be as a business owner, executive, or a woman that wants to break into an industry that has been male dominated for decades.  It is one of the reasons I developed the Chamber's first women's resource group, Women Executive Leaders of DeKalb, it was an effortless way for women to network in a community of women with shared goals. Goals to be successful, achieve their idea of balance, and help support and promote each other.  In addition I started the chamber's First Annual Women's Golf Clinic.  Allowing women who don't want to play golf, to get on the driving range hit a few balls and come back and network the hell out of the room. A room that for years was filled with men drinking beer and having a great time, and the only women around were volunteers and chamber staff.

Everyday I think about how to change the game, how to make the playing field leveled, how to make pay equitable and how to progress multiple generations of women. While things have changed its still not enough. So my challenge never stops and I continue to invite women and men along the way to be advocates. This blog post is my invitation to engage you the reader, to think about what  you can do, and to inspire action to do it!            

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