International Women’s Day 2024 is all about inspiring inclusion and bringing women together. We had to get involved! Our latest Lioness Networking event invited women from around the globe to celebrate their achievements and set goals for a more inclusive future. We cheered as attendees shared their latest entrepreneurial milestones: writing a book, reaching the anniversary of launching their businesses, transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship, starting a nonprofit and learning new skills to grow their companies.
In our breakout rooms, we dived into three main topics:
- Personal experiences of feeling included – or excluded – in the entrepreneurial community
- How to “inspire inclusion” as a female entrepreneur
- Naming the women entrepreneurs who inspire you
Finding your space in entrepreneurship
Attendees shared deeply personal anecdotes of feeling welcomed or shunned by their fellow entrepreneurs. For some, their gender or parental responsibilities were met with belittlement and discouragement. But others found support from colleagues who put a stop to sexist environments. Both fellow female entrepreneurs and male allies were key to fostering a sense of belonging.
Every conversation tied back to the importance of championing diversity and investing in women’s empowerment.
One attendee, Nickesha Grant, shared her entrepreneurial story with the group. Despite facing personal tragedies and numerous job rejections, she secured an agency position – only to face micro-aggressions from a colleague. Going against a full-time employee as a temp felt impossible.
But the situation improved. Her coworkers were the ones to intervene, escalating the matter to the higher authorities and resolving it.
At the time, Grant’s coworker reassured her, saying, “You’re not alone. You’re in an environment where people care about you as a person. You’re being looked out for.”
“That was the first time I’d ever had an experience like that … I want to be able to pay that forward, to do the right thing because that’s what we want. We don’t want bystanders.”
Join us for our next networking event
At Lioness, our commitment to celebrating women and fostering inclusion goes beyond International Women’s Day. Come to our next networking event for women entrepreneurs on April 2nd!
Date: Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024
Time: Noon – 1 p.m. ET
Looking to expand your business network? Lioness Networking is your monthly opportunity to connect with ambitious women like you! Join us for enriching conversations, invaluable advice, and camaraderie. Through a series of engaging breakout rooms and guided discussions, we’re here to provide valuable support for female entrepreneurs.
Ready for more inspiration, meaningful interactions and actionable strategies? Sign up now!
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