Each year, as we kick off Women’s History Month in the United States, I am reminded of the book, Never Underestimate the Strength of Women. Even if I weren’t featured in the NUSW book, I would still recommend it. The women in it continue to inspire me. Their lives are testaments to the resilience and tenacity of women who continue to overcome formidable odds. Certainly, at least a few of our stories will bring hope and inspiration to those of you currently navigating your own struggles. Here are a few of the highlights.
Amelia Moran Ceja
Born in a small farming community in Mexico, Amelia lived with her mother, sister, and grandmother while her father worked on farms in the United States. At age 12, they joined her father in California, where she learned to grow grapes and develop the wines she continues to sell at Ceja Vineyards.
Where she is now:
- Still President of her Napa Valley business.
- Featured in Diversity Woman magazine (2023).
- Produced more than 100 videos pairing wine and Mexican dishes.
Mellody Hobson
Raised by a single mother with six children, Mellody got mixed messages about money growing up. Her mother’s cleaning business often failed to produce enough income to support them, and she was frequently denied loans because she was Black. Yet she taught her children how to calculate what she could about money, whether monthly bills or restaurant tips.
Mellody realized success required financial knowledge and continues to gather that to help others at Ariel Investments, a firm where she began working as an intern. She has been President since 1991.
What she’s been up to:
- Listed as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women (2020).
- Became the Starbucks Corp. chairperson (2020).
- Bought into the Denver Broncos ownership (2022).
Kathleen E. Hands, M.D., F.A.C.E., ECNU
Committed to becoming a doctor from the age of four, Dr. Hands overcame delays in her education due to her mother’s illness only to face age discrimination and other challenges. She was not deterred. Her exceptional work and leadership gained her supporters who helped her fight for licensure in Texas, where she continues to practice. According to her website, she “is the only thyroid-dedicated endocrinology specialty in South Texas.”
Achievements since NUSW was published:
- Listed in the top five of endocrinologists in San Antonio (2019).
- Made masks and provided personal protection equipment (PPE) during the pandemic (2020).
- Became the first female endocrinologist in North America to perform non-surgical thyroid procedure (2021).
Conclusion
Although NUSW features 25 women who have overcome many obstacles to achieve various levels of success, women in the US are still at greater risk than men of:
- Homelessness due to domestic violence. One in four homeless women in the US are without shelter due to domestic violence. Families led by single mothers of minority races and with at least two children are especially vulnerable.
- Poverty. US women remain at greater risk of poverty due to violence, discrimination, wage disparity, and higher employment in low-wage jobs or participation in unpaid caregiving work.
- Employment in low-wage jobs. We are not expecting wage parity—for white women—until 2058. There are no clear projections for minority women.
- Unpaid caregiving work. The US is one of only seven of the world’s economies that fail to provide any paid maternity of family leave.
- Sexual violence. One third of US women have been victims of sexual violence.
- Limitations on reproductive rights. The US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision effectively overturning Roe v. Wade has substantially cut programs that offer women similar reproductive freedom to that enjoyed by men.
- Sexual harassment at work. Women are at greater risk of sexual harassment in the workplace.