With March playing host to International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, it’s safe to say there’s been a lot of “girl power” making its way to our screens. But take note, this isn’t just spring fever. Ads like the Always #LikeAGirl commercial that aired during the 2015 SuperBowl and GoldieBlox’s campaign to encourage young girl’s interests in science and engineering are slowly countering the everyday messages and mindset our society has adopted. And I have to admit, I’m nervously excited by it.
Celebrated men and women are taking the public stage to support initiatives like #HeForShe and pay equality; however, simple policy enforcements aren’t necessarily going to change things. We people as a whole need to rewire the way we think, the way we act, and there are a few things us women (particularly those in PR) can do to aid this mental shift on an everyday level.
Create a culture of collaboration. “Can you send me your media list?” Why does this simple question cause so much tension and drama? If a friend or PR pro from another agency has something of value to contribute to a journalist you know, why Regina George them with a “you can’t sit with us” attitude? Wouldn’t the journalist be happy and in turn, thank you for making the introduction? Though society typically uses the term catty, in reality this mentality is just competitiveness on steroids. We fear sharing our media contact would somehow translate to losing our contact and/or opportunities in the future. But this way of thinking is self- deprecating.
Be confident in yourself and the work you do, enough so to lift and inspire others to join you on your level. How can we expect the world to treat us fair and kindly when we cannot treat each other that same way? Help out and support your female (and male) peers at every opportunity! Because I’m willing to bet that if you scratch her back, she’ll likely scratch yours back and probably invite you to join her on the next buy-one-get-one Starbuck’s happy hour. A small act of kindness without strings attached can form a deep impression, and I find that the more we work together and pay it forward, the stronger the cycle of supportive reciprocation becomes. This is public relations after all.
Ask and you shall (maybe) receive. A recent PR industry analysis was released this March, revealing a disturbing $46,000 pay gap between male and female professionals of equal experience level in the field. (No, I am not making this up. You can find it here.) The same study also found women were less likely to negotiate their salaries “due to the social costs of advocating for themselves.” It seems, women fear contending their worth will get them labeled as “pushy” or “bossy.” And for good reason. In an analysis of 450 million texts printed over the past 20 years, women are twice as likely to be called “pushy” over their male counterparts.
Ladies, repeat after me: You is Kind. You is Smart. You IS Important. Go to bat for yourself! Ask for that last slice of pizza, that guy you like out for a date, that journalist to feature your client, that promotion at work; it doesn’t have to be scary. The worst you can hear is “no,” and then you’ll be in the exact same spot as you are now, only less stressed about the pain of peeling the Band-Aid slowly. The answer is always yes until it’s a no. If you never dare to ask, you’ll never experience the joy of hearing it. (Click to tweet!)
Stand Tall. Real talk for a second: I was once, during a department-wide meeting, patted on the head by my (male) boss after discussing an initiative I’d successfully completed. Granted, I stand just about 5ft 3 inches tall, but that is beside the point. This seemingly innocent gesture is how you treat a child or a puppy, not a regarded colleague; it’s incredibly belittling, both literally and figuratively, and was never carried out on my male coworkers of short stature or otherwise.
It was after that moment I fully understood what all of the gender equality fuss is about. It’s not about gaining a position of power. It’s about starting the game standing on an even playing field, and getting a pat on the back, not the head, just like everyone else. Unfortunately there’s no hideaway from it; as a woman, you’re going to face inequality and sexism in many forms, from men and women, sometimes intentional, sometimes not. And when you do, you have the power to decide how you want to be treated. Don’t accept anything less than respect, and if you must, gently remind people what that looks like.
It’s a genuine smile when you see your fellow female coworker get recognition for her excellent work. It’s a firm handshake when you meet a client for lunch. It’s fearlessness after you counter your salary for a new job offer. It’s a woman who doesn’t feel the need to say “sorry” before asking a question, and a woman who has the confidence to jump from safe ground without looking down.
Megan O’Neal graduated from UCLA in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, emphasizing in mass communications. She is currently the PR Specialist at Marketing Design Group and volunteers with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, freelancing for the public relations department. Connect with her on Twitter @megannenicole.