Breaking Through: Women in the Workforce

by Maria S. Salinas

As we bring the year to a close, I reflect on the many issues that we have championed throughout the year, including job creation, infrastructure development, access to education, and more importantly, the vital pursuit of gender equity. As we saw women exiting the workforce during the pandemic, we reexamined our role and recognized that this crisis situation warranted special attention.

We launched our Women’s Policy Council and stepped up our advocacy efforts to not only support the return of women back to the workforce, but to ensure women thrive. We have reviewed public policy and identified policy priorities. Earlier this year, we signed the California Equal Pay Pledge, an initiative to close the pay gap, led by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Partners Project. These efforts will continue to keep gender equity a top priority for us.

McKinsey & Company recently released their 2023 “Women in the Workforce” report, highlighting hard-fought gains in the C-suite, while exploring barriers that keep women from advancing. Understanding the data and debunking myths is essential, given the fact that little progress has been made, especially for women of color. Recommendations include tracking outcomes to improve women’s performance and advancement, supporting management with training, recognizing and ending microaggressions toward women, and exploring flexible work models.

The Chamber’s Women’s Policy Council will host its Women in Leadership event to understand barriers, the meaning of “broken rungs”, and the impact of a flexible work environment. The event will include a deep dive into the newly released report with Nicole Robinson, Associate Partner from McKinsey & Company, followed by an engaging discussion with women leaders to address unlocking the potential of women in the workplace.

In order for women to break through, we need organizations like the Chamber, championing public policy priorities for a more inclusive workforce, bringing experts to speak on data points, and hearing from women leaders for insight and inspiration. Join us for our Women in Leadership event on December 7 at the California Science Center. Register today.