In the early 1960s, Mary Jackson was a black woman working as a mathematician for NASA. Despite her brilliance, she was stuck in a low-level position, unable to advance due to racial and gender discrimination. But she didn’t let that stop her. Jackson fought for her right to attend graduate school to become an engineer, filing a lawsuit against NASA when they denied her. She won, and became NASA’s first black female engineer. Jackson’s determination and courage to break through the glass ceiling opened doors for countless women and minority groups to follow.

Unfortunately, even today, the glass ceiling is still very real for women. Despite progress in recent years, women are often paid less than men, underrepresented in leadership positions, and subjected to gender discrimination and harassment in the workplace. As Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, once said, “I believe women still face a glass ceiling that must be shattered.”

It’s time for all of us to join the movement to break the glass ceiling and ensure that no woman is held back from achieving her full potential.

Why Breaking the Glass Ceiling Matters

It’s not just a matter of fairness or equality. Breaking the glass ceiling is good for everyone, for society as a whole. Here’s why:

• We need the best talent, regardless of gender. Restricting women from top positions in companies, organizations, or government means we are cutting out half of the eligible talent pool. When women are held back, society loses out on the contributions and ideas they would have brought to the table.
• Diversity fuels creativity. Different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences lead to new ideas and more innovation. By breaking the glass ceiling, we enable more women to be part of the decision-making process, leading to better outcomes and more successful organizations.
• It’s good for the economy. Research shows that companies with gender-diverse leadership teams perform better financially than those without. When women are empowered to reach their full potential, they contribute to economic growth and development.

How to Break the Glass Ceiling

So, how do we break the glass ceiling? Here are a few practical tips:

1. Support and mentor women. One of the biggest barriers for women is a lack of access to mentors and networks. If you’re a woman in a leadership position, seek out opportunities to mentor other women. If you’re a man, look for ways to support and advocate for women colleagues.
2. Encourage transparency and accountability. Companies and organizations should track and report on gender diversity, pay equity, and promotions to leadership positions. By making these metrics public, organizations can help hold themselves accountable for progress and foster a culture of transparency and fairness.
3. Challenge biases and stereotypes. We all have unconscious biases that can influence our decision-making. Be mindful of these biases and work to challenge them. When you see stereotypes or discrimination in the workplace, speak up and take action.

Conclusion

Breaking the glass ceiling is not just a women’s issue – it’s an issue for all of us. When we create a more inclusive, equitable workplace, we all benefit. From Mary Jackson to the women of today, we owe it to ourselves and future generations to shatter the glass ceiling for good.