Meghan Ryan
March 11, 2021
International Women’s Day (IWD) and Women’s History Month are holidays that commemorate women’s achievements and remind us to strive for women’s equality. This year, the theme for IWD is #ChooseToChallenge and sets to call out gender bias and inequality. We’re using this time to become more cognizant of how women are challenging norms and fighting for action in their spheres of influence. Read on to find 11 of the most inspiring #ChooseToChallenge videos made by women on Prezi Video.
Have difficult conversations
Sahra Kaboli-Nejad, head of diversity and inclusion at On, has a passion for designing workplaces that promote diversity, equity, and a sense of belonging, and uses International Women’s Day as a reminder to create space for important and often difficult conversations. In her Prezi video, Sahra discusses the meaning of IWD and shares a few tips to make the most out of the holiday:
Tackle gender inequality
As a journalist, professor at Northwestern University, and author of Moon US Civil Rights Trail: A Traveler’s Guide to the People, Places, and Events That Made the Movement, Deborah D. Douglas points out that structural inequality is one of the most important issues of our time. She chooses to challenge gender inequality, as the sooner we can make the world a better place for women and girls, the better it is for everyone. Watch her Prezi video to learn more:
Acknowledge hard truths
As a result of the pandemic, over 3 million women have had to leave the workforce in the US, making women’s jobs nearly twice as vulnerable as men’s in the pandemic. Elena Valentine, founder of Skill Scout Films and co-founder of Mezcla Media Collective, challenges you to acknowledge the hard truths that women face and do your part to reconcile these differences. Watch her video here:
Make work more sustainable for women
Amina AlTai, holistic leadership and mindfulness coach, works with women around the world to foster their advancement at work. Due to the pandemic pushing more women to leave the workforce at a greater rate than in prior years, she calls upon male leaders and allies to reset norms around flexibility and make work more sustainable for women. Watch her video to learn more:
Speak up against microaggressions
Helen Kim is the Assistant Director of Digital Engagement at the Northwestern Alumni Association, and this year for International Women’s Day, she advocates for space and to speak up against microaggressions. Get inspired to be brave and call out unethical behavior when you watch her video:
Lift others while you climb
As Lauren Hagerty, Director of Marketing and Community at PowerToFly, notes, she would not be where she is today without other women supporting her so that they could rise in their careers together. She challenges herself to lift up other women by giving them the opportunities that they may not already have and to advocate for equality at work. Watch her video to learn more:
Focus on learning ability
Shelley Osborne, VP of Learning at Udemy, challenges the idea that we need to have the experience or the background to be ready to step into a new role at work. Instead of focusing on experience, focus on learning ability. Learn how women are affected by these expectations in her video:
Challenge gender stereotypes and bias
Dr. Tomi Mercy Ademokun, public health advisor for the CDC and host of the podcast Wellness and Wahala, celebrates the women in her sphere of influence who have acted as trailblazers and leaders, and chooses to challenge gender stereotypes and bias. Learn why this is important in her video:
Accept your vulnerabilities
Neha Taleja, Director of Product at Prezi, chooses to challenge the idea that we can’t be vulnerable as women. So what if you feel weak in certain areas? Acknowledge it and help others so you can learn and grow together. Watch her video to learn how embracing your vulnerabilities can help you and your team:
Call out gender bias
As Head of Marketing at Prezi, Stefanie Grossman has the opportunity to call out gender bias at work and in the content that her team puts out. In her video, she shares an example of how she challenged gender bias and how it impacted the men and women on her team. Watch her video for more:
Remain flexible
There is no straight path to where you want to go, so Patricia Vidal, Lifecycle Marketing Director at Prezi, urges you to embrace the unknown and remain flexible as you navigate your career. Watch her video to learn more:
Check out more videos celebrating International Women’s Day at #IWD2021 and #internationalwomensday, or create your own video with Prezi video today.
