Today is International Women’s Day where we celebrate and honor the achievements of women throughout the world. This holiday is celebrated every year on March 8th to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. This year’s campaign theme is #BreaktheBias which spotlights the individual and collective biases against women that fuel gender inequality. 

During my 38 years in education, I have had the honor of working with outstanding female leaders at all levels including principals, central office administrators, superintendents, and teacher leaders. We tackled many educational challenges together ranging from closing the achievement gap, to solving budget challenges, to navigating the pandemic. At the state level, I have had the opportunity to work and collaborate with Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents on Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) committees that focus on race, equity, diversity, and inclusion. I also have learned so much from my colleagues on the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission where we focus on providing guidance to schools on how to make them safe and supportive for all students. In my current role as an education expert for the School Liability Expert Group, I am so impressed with the knowledge and skill that each member of our team has to offer and how we discuss and problem solve our cases as a team.

One of the challenges facing women in education is that while women make up the vast majority of the education workforce, they are in only a quarter of the top leadership positions. Dr. Jennie Weiner, Associate Professor for the University of Connecticut is an expert in this area. In a Harvard Graduate School of Education Podcast that was published in April 1, 2021, Dr. Weiner breaks down the gender issues in the field and suggests ways to push toward equality. If you have 25 minutes, it is worth listening to Dr. Weiner’s words and thoughts.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of women across the world, I am appreciative of all that I have learned from my female colleagues. There is strength through inclusion and equity and it all makes us all better leaders and better people.