Celebrating Women’s History Month in 2024

The March 2024 theme for Woman’s History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” My intent in writing this blog is to not only recognize the efforts of those who fought for gender equality, but also focus on continued barriers that women in America face, specifically pay inequality and unconscious bias.

Pay Inequality & The Gender Pay Gap

Pay inequality is a significant barrier to gender equality, and it continues to affect women in various industries and professions. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2022, American women typically earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This disparity is influenced by a range of factors, including occupational segregation, caregiving responsibilities, and discrimination. Various legislative and societal initiatives have been undertaken to remedy pay inequality; the latest trend includes passage of state laws that require employers to include wage or salary information, or a compensation range, in all job postings. The idea behind these laws is that it will increase transparency in salary negotiations so that all candidates, both women and men, will start from the same place and with the same information when negotiating their salary or wages with a new employer. Although such laws also give heartburn to some employers – for example, the hourly pay rate that a company pays its consultants can be deemed proprietary, confidential business information – overall, I think it’s a good thing. At Day & Zimmermann, heartburn or no heartburn, we understand the intent behind such laws and comply with them in good faith.

Challenging Unconscious Bias

I kid you not, I once was told that because I often am “the smartest person in the room, that can be intimidating to some people.” Can you imagine how that made me feel? Do you think a man would be given such “constructive” criticism? I’m not unique. I suspect that every working woman in America has been subjected to unconscious bias, which means attitudes and beliefs held unconsciously, not intentionally, which can affect one’s ability to advance in career and education.

Although unconscious biases are deeply embedded in us due to cultural conditioning and societal norms, certain strategies mitigate their impact. First, recognizing our own biases is a critical step towards challenging them. By examining our thoughts and assumptions critically, we can start making more objective decisions. Second, learning about different cultures, perspectives, and experiences can broaden our understanding of others and reduce stereotyping. Finally, implementing policies and practices designed to reduce the influence of biases in the workplace go a long way. For example, Day & Zimmermann has a long-standing requirement that group meetings start with a diversity message. This brings other cultures, beliefs, and customs directly into the workplace. I too have unconscious biases, we all do, but I’m proud to work at a company that takes active steps to reduce the impact of biases in the workplace.

In closing, to me, Women's History Month is not just about honoring women's accomplishments, but a reminder to actively work towards a fairer future for women in America and beyond.