Faye McCray

I walked into my first job interview holding a Sprite can. My hair was spray dyed blue, I wore shorts I cut with scissors, and I giggled before answering each question.

Judy, my prospective boss, stared at me over the rim of her glasses sizing me up. The look she gave me was a mixture of scold and amusement.

Judy told me to lose the Sprite can, go to the mall and stock up on clothes that were “business casual” for interviews, and always pause before answering a question.

I was 14.

She gave me the job.

And I proudly carried the title of camp counselor all four summers of high school.

Surviving vs. thriving in the workforce as women can be uniquely different experiences. Aside from the obvious markers of equity like pay parity and combating workplace discrimination, finding a support network can be invaluable to developing a sense of belonging and true inclusion in the workplace. Women who can provide a safe space for your honesty. Women who celebrate your wins like their own. Women who can tell you that you forgot to put down your soda can.

Celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day by reflecting on Judy and all of the other women who take that extra step to nurture, celebrate and uplift the women around them.

Sometimes equity means creating a seat at the table, sometimes it means making sure that seat doesn’t fall apart the minute you sit down.