#sharing in honor of iwd

[hardynwa]

IWD: How home delivery almost claimed my life – Bauchi mother

A Bauchi housewife and mother of three, Susan Ayuba has shared her near-death experience during the delivery of her third child at her home in the Wuntin-Dada area of Bauchi metropolis. Ayuba who blamed poverty and stubbornness for her decision to deliver at home, told Vanguard that she was saved by the intervention of a healthcare professional who incidentally was visiting her home that day. She noted that because her two older children were delivered at home, she felt the third delivery would be seamless since she’s had two home-child delivery experiences. “I had a terrible experience with home child delivery during my third pregnancy. To put it in perspective, I have had two home births before when I gave birth to my two older children. But I would later learn that not all pregnancies are the same. “On that fateful day, I had just returned from work and was doing some chores when I felt my water broke. So I positioned on a couch to push as I did the other times but it didn’t go as I had intended. Apparently, I passed out after two hours, and I was not so lucky because no one was at home to help. “As I was lying there almost lifeless, then in my subconscious, it felt like there was someone knocking at the door,” she said. “I would later wake up to realize it was a family friend who is a midwife. She had revived me, before she helped push out my baby. There was also the case of multiple tears because I tried self-delivery. “Of course, she was angry that I did not follow her advice to deliver in a healthcare facility. She cleaned me up and immediately drove me to the health facility where she worked for proper health care. “I was lucky that I didn’t die that day. I will not even wish what happened to me that day on my enemy. That’s why I want to advise all pregnant women everywhere to attend Antenal and deliver their children in hospitals where they can be given proper care by experts trained for the job.” According to Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 8 out of 10 mothers in Bauchi State give birth to their children at home resulting in over 40 percent child mortality, despite huge investment in healthcare delivery by the government. In Taraba, the story is not too different as over 23 percent of pregnancies result in preventable child death because some Taraba women still indulge in home birth deliveries. A Health expert with UNICEF, Oluseyi Olosunde cautioned women against practicing child delivery at home to enhance their chances of their survival and that of their baby during childbirth. Mr. Olosunde who is the Health Officer of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office gave the warning Olosunde who presented a paper titled: “The Optics of Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Bauchi Field Office” made the remark at a Media Dialogue to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD). He said that home child delivery poses serious danger to the mother in case of breach during labour, as the home lacks the necessary equipment to detect the problem with a view to saving the baby and the mother. On his part, Dr. Tushar Rane, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office noted the need for gender equality and promoting women’s well-being in all facets of life, is paramount for building prosperous economies and fostering a healthy planet. He maintained that the International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead regarding the plights of women. “It’s a day to honor the trailblazing women who have paved the way for future generations, a day to recognize the invaluable contributions of women in every sphere of society, from politics and business to science, arts, and beyond,” he noted. He reiterated the importance and gains of Mama2Mama, an initiative of UNICEF where women empower each other and encourage their peers to improve their health-seeking behaviour, pointing out that the well-being of women generates transformative ripple effect that uplifts a community. Read the full article

[atardisnameddesire]

Happy International Women’s Day!!! In honor of International Women’s Day, I’m sharing a few quotes from one of my favorite authors, Sarah J. Maas. Her books are extremely feminist and empowering. They are filled to the brim with strong female characters and women supporting each other and finding their own inner strength. These quotes and many others from these series inspire me everyday. May they inspire you too! 💖✨🌙🦌 #internationalwomensday #iwd #iwd2023 #sarahjmaas #sarahjmaasquotes #acourtofmistandfury #acourtofsilverflames #acotar #throneofglass #houseofearthandblood #crescentcity #feminism #feminist #strongfemalecharacters #womensupportingwomen #femaleauthors #inspiration #favoriteauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/CpjAGzQr-lh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[meetcounsellor]

For all the incredible women that raise us and that we stand with - let’s come together and #EmbraceEquity in honor of International Women's Day this March 8th! ⁣ We too strive to make a difference by lending a hand in changing societal norms! By amplifying the voices of women and girls, we can finally achieve gender parity. Join us in striving for true equality.⁣ Help us stand up for what’s right, use #MeetCounsellor to share stories and be part of a collective vision for gender equality.⁣ #women #internationalwomensday #iwd #EmbraceEquity #IWD2023 (at MeetCounsellor) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpf3s0Evp3e/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[rjack2136]

In honor of International Women's Day tomorrow I want to share a quote about what makes a woman truly beautiful. #internationalwomensday #IWD #IWD2022 — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/kFpziT6

[a-shakespearean-in-paris]

I was in a toxic friendship

I want to preface this by saying I am so much happier right now and I am no longer friends with this person. Haven’t seen or heard from her in over a year. I also want to be clear this was a friendship I had in real life, not tumblr. I think however this story’s lessons can be applicable across the board to online friendships and even relationships with family members. Please, if you ever feel belittled by your “friends,” and you bring it up to them and they brush it aside and think you’re overreacting, it’s not a friendship. 

I was friends with this person, let’s call her Stacy, for about ten years before I realized I no longer wanted to speak to her or be her friend. I met her in the ninth grade and we bonded over Disney World and other things and I could talk to her about anything, including this huge crush I had on a twelfth grade boy. She came over to my house sometimes, though not a lot, and as high school wore on we started going to the mall together, stuff like that. I went to college in a different city and she came to visit me sometimes, and we even worked at the same theme park, though different departments. For all intents and purposes this was my best friend, though Stacey got upset when I also called my cousin my best friend, even though she spoke of her sister as her best friend.

She got a boyfriend when we were both around 21/22 or so, I think we were both juniors in college, though she took a semester off because she hated school and thought it was weird I was a double major. She told me her boyfriend was thirty and she met him at work. I thought the age gap was a little big, but I wasn’t one to judge. Later on I found out he was 36 and she told me she lied because she was worried how I would react. I met him and I thought he was nice, but when she got engaged when we were both around 23, I had only met him that one time for a birthday dinner she had, and my mom and dad told me they thought it was kind of strange. They also said it was weird to them whenever I hung out with Stacey it was only for like an hour, two at most, especially since my cousin and I could spend days and day together at sleepovers, chilling and being ourselves, interpretative dancing, lol. Privately I also found it odd I could talk to Stacey about anything, but when I asked questions about her life and her thoughts she’d barely talk. Her grandma passed away, she loved visiting my grandma because she could have one through me. One day I broke down and admitted my grandmother is a narcissist, and she is different behind closed doors. she berates me, used to call me fat, berated me. Stacey didn’t believe me. I can’t say when she started not being such a good presence in my life, but these were some seeds, and it got worse--slow at once and then all at once as they say.

Anyway, I was a bridesmaid of hers and her sister was the maid of honor--a mutual friend was another bridesmaid and there was one more (super sweet girl and I don’t even think Stacy talks with her much anymore either LMAO) and at this point in my life I was really into my first fanfic IWD. I was consumed with it, to put it bluntly. This is another story entirely but I spent so much of my college career as an English major writing for academia, and when I was finally writing something for me, I bloomed. I talked to her about it and she kind of laughed about this Cullen person but she liked to read fanfic herself so was whatever about me doing it. I shared with her my first piece of commissioned art and she laughed at Lydia thinking Lydia was just me, and I told her, no, she wasn’t, she’s based off of several old hollywood ladies and I actually made her avatar in game, but she wouldn’t believe it. I actually ended up saying “would you think this if I were white and she were white as well” and she laughed and didn’t understand. Needless to say the whole incident rubbed me the wrong way. I ignored it. Her wedding happened, her sister made a good speech, then when all the groomsmen did a speech for the groom the other Bridesmaids and I thought we had to do something, so we got up there and made an impromptu speech. I called her my sister and I told her I loved her. I didn’t know it then, but I didn’t believe her when she said “love you too.”

I wanted to go back to school, and I ended up in a Masters program after the wedding. My summer semester, my first, went well, starting in June and ending in July. I finished IWD and went to another fic, Stacey making fun of Sophie, my OC for that fic too, because I just straight up made her part Hawaiian like I am. When I told her I had little representation growing up other than like Lilo and Stitch and now Moana, (which I don’t like TBH but another story lol.) she asked me what the big deal was about that. Why did it matter that no main character ever looked as I looked? I couldn’t explain to her how much writing a character who was like me in a fanfic mattered. We planned on going to Disney World, me, her, her sister, and the other bridesmaid, but don’t post anything on facebook because she didn’t want to invite the other other bridesmaid. I wanted to go to a nightclub with her for my birthday but she didn’t want to go because her sister couldn’t enter, so after my whole family, plus her and her husband ate at my favorite restaurant, she went home even after I begged her to come with my and my cousin. She said it was stupid. Also, her husband was a huge ass to wait staff. Alarm bells went off for all of us.

But I was looking forward to Disney in December that year. (2018) I didn’t have a job at the time but was actively looking. Well, I got a job after interview after interview at restaurants that wouldn’t hire me, my dream job researching Shakespeare. It fell through. (I was promised to actively help the professor research, it fell through.) She paid for the trip without me knowing and I had to pay her back 800 dollars on writing commissions which I severely underpriced. because I was worried no one would pay otherwise. School wasn’t going well. Put it simply I felt really dumb and stupid and like I didn’t belong, (we were reading Ulysses!!!) which I later learned was a common sentiment with my classmates who began the same time as I. I will admit my relationship with academia is rocky at the moment, but I genuinely do love to write, love to research, love to make discoveries about new texts. Stacey saw how stressed I was and sad and got angry I was so sad, and asked why was I in school anyway Am I going to be on my deathbed and wished I studied harder? I didn’t have the energy to tell her it wasn’t about “studying harder,” it was that I loved writing and reading and wanted to be a part of academia. Learning makes me happy, expanding my mind. She belittled me anyway, thinking getting a Masters was dumb and I wouldn’t get a good job.

At Disney World I was so happy. I hadn’t been there since I was a child. She made fun of me for wanting to meet Ariel, for wanting to ride Soaring and being afraid to check grades when a classmate said they were up. I got so stressed I cried at the Japan pavilion at Epcot and stress ate sauerbraten at the Germany pavilion (Amazing by the way, I love German food.) She basically dictated the entire trip--we went to Universal for Harry Potter World at her request and refused to ride the spider man ride with me (it was fucking fun too-girl missed out.) All she wanted to do was stand around in Harry Potter world all day, (LOL now right?) I wasn’t that big of a Potter fan anymore, even at that point, and she told me I was going to stay there anyway and like it. She dictated the entire trip and when I questioned her about it she said I wasn’t listening to to her--we were following the agenda. Our last day there we went to a “Hawaiian” restaurant and made a comment about my “Hawaiian privileges.” I just didn’t have the heart to tell her that the crap we ate didn’t hold a candle to real Hawaiian luau food.

When we got back I was mentally drained and melancholic because I wondered why Stacey was so cruel to me. She always had a biting wit, but before it seemed playful. Now it was cruel, mocking. She made me feel so incredibly stupid. At this point my cousin got engaged and I cried because I wanted so badly to be in love with someone and get married. I was angry and I lashed out at people I shouldn’t have. I was later diagnosed as depressed. I felt like my life was at a standstill and matters with Stacey didn’t help. I also had a huge writing crisis--I told Stacey something I will always remember and always regret because she doesn’t deserve to know: I write the romances I want because no man wants me.  At this point, Stacy turned me into her project. She didn’t like how sad I was at Disney World, it put a bummer on her trip, and when I told her she seemed off she brushed it off. Her plan was to get me on dating apps and basically settle for anyone, even though I had used apps before and don’t like them, but when I got back on Bumble she basically patronized me and told me she was proud of me and “small steps.” On bumble, I wanted to vomit. (for the record, I am not against dating apps, I know success stories, but at that time I was not emotionally ready to date.) Also, she would teach me to drive so I could go on dates, but only in my Dad’s truck. 

I wish I could say I broke it off, that I told her not to talk to me again, but Stacey stopped talking to me first. However. the day she stopped was when I told her she was wrong and I wouldn’t listen to this anymore. What happened? I mentioned I was demisexual.  She said it wasn’t real. I said it was real to me--I don’t experience sexual attraction unless I have bonded with someone. Sure there are people I like to look at, but it’s not a sexual attraction. She asked about my crush on Tom Hiddleston, Cullen, “that robot guy” and was like yeah you’re sure demi, and lol it’s not real. It wasn’t just her words, it was the mocking indifference. 

I went off. I told her she didn’t have the right to tell me what was in my brain or how I felt. I knew who I was and who I am. I should have also told her I wasn’t her project, but I left her that day and it was the last time I saw her.

I talked to my dad that night and mentioned it to him, being demi, and you know what he told me? I think I’m the same way. I think I almost cried. 

I tried to talk to her again but she didn’t want to see me. She had “personal issues and was busy” I pissed her off. Good, I say now. But after this happened in March of 2019 I thought I had no friends. She was my only friend, and I lost another mutual friend (one we went to Disney with) because she knew Stacey longer than she knew me. But you know what happened in April? My cousin asked me to be her maid of honor and I fucking wept, because there was my best friend--my sister all along. Just because she lives in another city and we are growing up and it took me longer to figure out my career than her doesn’t change the fact that we have a bond that can’t be broken. My cousin is one of my favorite people and if you know her you love her--it is impossible not to. And when I told her about my fanfic and about being demi she wanted to know, wanted to listen. School got better too--I started chatting in class more and come to find out, one of my classmates also broke up with a toxic friend. God I love her and I miss her--wish I could see her. (thanks COVID) 

There was more, but this was a lot, and I spent more time writing this than I thought I would. I wanted to write it because seeing a few posts float around made me remember, and I want ya’ll to know, leaving a friendship is scary. Sometimes it can be worse than leaving a lover. But it is a brave thing to do. Part of me that knew I should have left at the first racist comment (oh yeah, she called me a pineapple one day before the Disney trip, did I mention it’s a slur for Hawaiian people? If my grandma were there she would have clobbed her.) but I stayed because I didn’t think I had any other friends. Well, I did and I do, and I know now friends lift each other up, not belittle or talk behind your back. They listen to me when I talk about how important my writing and my characters are to me. 

Sometimes I still miss her--but mostly the high school her that I knew before she met her husband. I don’t know if he changed her or this was her all along, perhaps both. I got fired from a job in November 2019 (which now I’d like to thank them because I got a better and more fulfilling job with a boss that respects me.) and when I cried outside the place, humiliated, I wanted to call her and vent like I used to. I didn’t. Now I don’t want to call her anymore or talk to her. I’d rather spend time with people who care, people who don’t kick me when I’m down. Since then I am so much stronger, in so many ways. The worst times in my life yielded the greatest lessons I have ever learned. 

If you made it this far, thank you. I did tear up a little writing this, but please know: it can be hard to walk a new path, but it is brave. You are brave. You don’t deserve to be belittled *hugs*

[bossbabesofmiami]

#SundayBrunch was 🔥🔥🔥 Boss Babes came READY to connect and celebrate Women's History Month! The energy was pure HONOR for each other. We shared. We teared up. We laughed. We met new boss babes. We connected. We created opportunities to collab. We toasted 🥂 CHEERS to our strength, wisdom, power, and so much more!!! @Tap42Bar @AventuraMall THANK YOU for hosting us! GIFT BAG SPONSORS made the day extra special with goodies from @mapleberryteaco @litwickscandles @mylasmylove_beauty @sunnidays @baked_in_sobe @tamgsmith @BossBabesOfMiami 📸 @sandramariephotography We are a UNITED modern movement of "Boss Babe" tribes who connect with Miami in any kind of way. Just know that you have TRIBES of Boss Babes who have your back! LINK UP: https://linktr.ee/BossBabesOfMiami Boss Babes Directory www.BossBabesDirectory.com  #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021, #InternationalWomensDay #SeeHer #womensday #women #internationalwomensday #womenempowerment #girlpower #feminism #womensupportingwomen #womeninbusiness #inspiration #iwd #womenpower #woman #motivation #march #foodie #brunch #happywomensday #womenshistorymonth #bossbabes #womenempoweringwomen #bossbabe #fashionblogger #miamifood #womenstyle (at TAP 42 AVENTURA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMR0TI5Llui/?igshid=150nq1k6qqsrc

[hardynwa]

IWD: How home delivery almost claimed my life – Bauchi mother

A Bauchi housewife and mother of three, Susan Ayuba has shared her near-death experience during the delivery of her third child at her home in the Wuntin-Dada area of Bauchi metropolis. Ayuba who blamed poverty and stubbornness for her decision to deliver at home, told Vanguard that she was saved by the intervention of a healthcare professional who incidentally was visiting her home that day. She noted that because her two older children were delivered at home, she felt the third delivery would be seamless since she’s had two home-child delivery experiences. “I had a terrible experience with home child delivery during my third pregnancy. To put it in perspective, I have had two home births before when I gave birth to my two older children. But I would later learn that not all pregnancies are the same. “On that fateful day, I had just returned from work and was doing some chores when I felt my water broke. So I positioned on a couch to push as I did the other times but it didn’t go as I had intended. Apparently, I passed out after two hours, and I was not so lucky because no one was at home to help. “As I was lying there almost lifeless, then in my subconscious, it felt like there was someone knocking at the door,” she said. “I would later wake up to realize it was a family friend who is a midwife. She had revived me, before she helped push out my baby. There was also the case of multiple tears because I tried self-delivery. “Of course, she was angry that I did not follow her advice to deliver in a healthcare facility. She cleaned me up and immediately drove me to the health facility where she worked for proper health care. “I was lucky that I didn’t die that day. I will not even wish what happened to me that day on my enemy. That’s why I want to advise all pregnant women everywhere to attend Antenal and deliver their children in hospitals where they can be given proper care by experts trained for the job.” According to Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 8 out of 10 mothers in Bauchi State give birth to their children at home resulting in over 40 percent child mortality, despite huge investment in healthcare delivery by the government. In Taraba, the story is not too different as over 23 percent of pregnancies result in preventable child death because some Taraba women still indulge in home birth deliveries. A Health expert with UNICEF, Oluseyi Olosunde cautioned women against practicing child delivery at home to enhance their chances of their survival and that of their baby during childbirth. Mr. Olosunde who is the Health Officer of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office gave the warning Olosunde who presented a paper titled: “The Optics of Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Bauchi Field Office” made the remark at a Media Dialogue to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD). He said that home child delivery poses serious danger to the mother in case of breach during labour, as the home lacks the necessary equipment to detect the problem with a view to saving the baby and the mother. On his part, Dr. Tushar Rane, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office noted the need for gender equality and promoting women’s well-being in all facets of life, is paramount for building prosperous economies and fostering a healthy planet. He maintained that the International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead regarding the plights of women. “It’s a day to honor the trailblazing women who have paved the way for future generations, a day to recognize the invaluable contributions of women in every sphere of society, from politics and business to science, arts, and beyond,” he noted. He reiterated the importance and gains of Mama2Mama, an initiative of UNICEF where women empower each other and encourage their peers to improve their health-seeking behaviour, pointing out that the well-being of women generates transformative ripple effect that uplifts a community. Read the full article

[pinkcloud9productions]

Michelle Lee Myrter says: I’m so excited! I will be one of the 100+ amazing women presenters on the Voices of Women Summit, in honor of International Women’s Day, on March 8, 2021! Six-time entrepreneur, Kimberly Crowe, has gathered together one of the most amazing collections of fun, powerful, creative, talented and influential women from around the globe that I’ve ever seen. These speakers are an amazing array of women bringing their brilliance to serve the greater good and contribute their zone of genius to the world. Women who are here to make a difference. Because what we are doing is bigger than what we are now! The global UN Women theme for International Women's Day (IWD) 2021 is “Women in Leadership”. This theme celebrates the tremendous efforts of women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future. This is an epic online one-day summit, and I’d love for you to come to watch me and 100+ other amazing women, sharing their passion and expertise! This Summit is all online, so you can join from anywhere with internet access for free! Register Now https://bit.ly/38dpDr5 ... Our speakers, from around the globe, will share secrets on topics like these.... Getting more speaking gigs and events that are profitable and impactful
 You Are One Conversation Away From Changing The World
 Keep Your Cash. Send your kids to college on other people's money!
 Creating Radiant Relationships with Sizzling S*x - without the Shame
 Lessons from a career in a male-dominated niche
 The secret of selling is serving 
 You're More Than Enough
 7 Freedoms - How to Map Your Pattern Of Success
 5 mistakes entrepreneurs make that destroy their profit. 
 How to Rock a TED Talk!
 And my Expert talk will be: “Why they Buy” The secret , the science , the system Attendance is free but space is limited, so please join early! Register Now https://bit.ly/38dpDr5 ... Cheers! Michelle Myrter PS: Share the love! If you would share this with other women, that would be wonderful! Please register yourself, and then share this link: https://voices-of-women-summit.heysummit.com/?sc=BmkmXXlq...

[nationaldvam]

Today begins our countdown to International Women's Day (#IWD) on 3/8! #TeamNRCDV celebrates IWD each year by commissioning or purchasing a piece of artwork made by a woman or a collective of women that honors the struggles and successes that we face.🎨 We'll be sharing these beautiful pieces from past IWDs for the next 11 days leading up to our 2021 IWD artwork reveal on 3/8! This 2010 piece by Gina Livingston Murray gives us life. Learn more at NRCDV.org/IWD. 

[inkstained-wretch]

I still can't believe that Scott apologists were pissed that Tessa didn't talk about him at an event honoring HER and the IWD. his fans share the same two brain cells he has

scott stans be setting back feminism 30 years with their meninist-like rants and tweets.

[lakeviewchamber]

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day!

We love our women-owned businesses in West Lakeview! From pastries and farm-to-table eats to dance lessons and chiropractic care, we want to give a big THANK YOU for being leaders in our community and sharing your passions with us. Stop by our women-owned businesses this weekend to give these #GIRLBOSSES some extra love and support in honor of IWD!  

Pictured here (from left to right): Angela Garbot Photography, On The Route Bikes, The Music Playhouse of Chicago, Southport Grocery & Cafe, Candyality, Flora Chicago, Community Chiropractic, Grassroots Grill, Wildwood Photography, Tooth Buds, LS Hair & Makeup Design, Suvarna Chiropractic, Loba Coffee & Pastry, Stretch Lab Lakeview, Arthur Murray Dance Lakeview, KidCreate Studio Lakeview, Lakeview Funeral Home

[lets-read-about-feminism-blog]

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!

We're celebrating today by hosting a discussion of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's new book, "Dear Ijeawele," Even if you haven't read the book yet, you can still participate! We'll also be honoring IWD by sharing pictures and articles about #ADayWithoutAWoman strikes happening in solidarity all over the world! If you're wearing red today as part of that movement, share a selfie with the group! In solidarity and global sisterhood~ Samantha

[bossbabesofmiami]

#SundayBrunch was 🔥🔥🔥 Boss Babes came READY to connect and celebrate Women's History Month! The energy was pure HONOR for each other. We shared. We teared up. We laughed. We met new boss babes. We connected. We created opportunities to collab. We toasted 🥂 CHEERS to our strength, wisdom, power, and so much more!!! @Tap42Bar @AventuraMall THANK YOU for hosting us! GIFT BAG SPONSORS made the day extra special with goodies from @mapleberryteaco @litwickscandles @mylasmylove_beauty @sunnidays @baked_in_sobe @BossBabesOfMiami 📸 @sandramariephotography We are a UNITED modern movement of "Boss Babe" tribes who connect with Miami in any kind of way. Just know that you have TRIBES of Boss Babes who have your back! LINK UP: https://linktr.ee/BossBabesOfMiami Boss Babes Directory www.BossBabesDirectory.com  #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021, #InternationalWomensDay #SeeHer #womensday #women #internationalwomensday #womenempowerment #girlpower #feminism #womensupportingwomen #womeninbusiness #inspiration #iwd #womenpower #woman #motivation #march #foodie #brunch #happywomensday #womenshistorymonth #bossbabes #womenempoweringwomen #bossbabe #fashionblogger #miamifood #womenstyle (at TAP 42 AVENTURA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKYIrlr7_5/?igshid=1b53ekvwuxw8b

[jeramymobley]

If IWD Had a Hammer: 5 Questions With Hiscox CMO Russ Findlay

Hiscox, the international specialist insurer, is kicking off the next evolution of its I’mpossible campaign with a full-page ad in The New York Times on March 8 in honor of International Women’s Day. This next phase of the campaign celebrates the courageous spirit and strength of female business owners and executives.

As an extension of the award-winning #EncourageCourage brand platform (which we featured in October), I’mpossible focuses on the positive power of risk-taking to transform the seemingly impossible into something possible.

The new print ad features a hammer and applauds the women who courageously continue to lead the charge of breaking through the glass ceiling. Produced in partnership with gyro, Hiscox’s marketing and advertising agency of record, the ad encourages women to shatter this barrier. It’s being supported on Hiscox.com and across its social media channels, along with additional I’mpossible print ads.

“Hiscox remains committed to inspiring female business owners to overcome the impossible by fostering and supporting their courageous spirit,” said Russ Findlay, US Chief Marketing Officer at Hiscox. “We are proud to serve these business owners whether they are launching their businesses, hiring their first employees or creating new products. Not only today on International Women’s Day, but every day, Hiscox is dedicated to #PressforProgress by creating a gender-inclusive environment and challenging others to do the same.”

The print ads aren’t what you might expect from an insurance company, which is the point. Hiscox, founded in the UK in 1901, prides itself on being unique and something of an iconoclast in a traditionally stuffy business. Its Instagram bio, for example: “Some might think insurance is dull but life at Hiscox is anything but. We insure the unique and interesting, and our people reflect that. #LifeAtHiscox”

Hiscox is also proud to support #SeeHer with this campaign, a movement led by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) whose mission is to increase accurate portrayals of women and girls in U.S. advertising and media by 20% by 2020, the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.

Findlay shared more insights in a Q&A:

Is this the boldest creative and campaign that Hiscox has run around gender equality and promoting women, IWD or not?

Yes. Hiscox has a proud history of highlighting courageous women entrepreneurs in our marketing and advertising.

Can you give us examples of what else #EncourageCourage does throughout the year?

Encourage Courage inspires small business owners to do more and be more. That message is reflected in a variety of ways, from sharing the stories of courageous small business owners in our marketing campaigns to sponsoring the annual “Courage Award” at the Austin Film Festival. Encourage Courage has also inspired our employees to do more and be more in their careers and through the charitable activities they participate in throughout the year.

And finally, the 2017 @HiscoxSmallBiz Courage Award goest to: Coming to My Senses! #EncourageCourage | https://t.co/aPjhg5Hoob pic.twitter.com/4i9sL9uwwm

— Austin Film Festival (@austinfilmfest) November 7, 2017

Are more women small-to-medium size business owners coming to Hiscox for support in launching and protecting their businesses as they grow?

According to the Small Business Administration, 35% of small businesses in the US are women-owned. We are seeing a much higher percentage of women-owned businesses turning to Hiscox.

What’s the makeup of your US workforce, C Suite and board in terms of gender balance? Where would you like it to be?

In the US, women represent more than half of the total employee population. We are taking deliberate action to increase female representation at the senior level. Some of these actions include: ensuring a 50/50 gender split amongst candidates shortlisted for senior level vacancies, monitoring the gender split on succession plans for senior-level roles and creating targeted plans to accelerate development where needed.

From our @hiscox_usa business insurance marketing campaign #Hiscox #advertising #encouragecourage

A post shared by Hiscox Insurance (@hiscoxinsurance) on Apr 4, 2017 at 1:24am PDT

How does Hiscox support women, its employees and customers, year-round?

The Hiscox Women in Leadership program is just one example of an initiative that aims to support women within the organization by teaching female leaders how to project themselves in male dominated environments while retaining their authentic styles. This program also offers an international peer group support system that extends beyond the program.

In addition, we have recently removed potential barriers to women by enhancing our maternity pay and encouraging flexible working for all employees. We have also recently launched our Women’s Resource Network whose purpose is to help attract, develop, and retain female employees as well as to bring light to social issues while bridging disparity gaps between genders.

The post If IWD Had a Hammer: 5 Questions With Hiscox CMO Russ Findlay appeared first on brandchannel:.

[af3irm]

Happy International Women's Day and International Working Women's Day! Today we salute and honor all the women warriors and feminist fighters committed to the struggle for our liberation and all the women who lives and actions make each day possible. We value the work women do - paid and unpaid, formal and informal, physical, emotional and spiritual. We continue to commit ourselves to our visions of freedom. We renew our pledge to our sisters worldwide that their fight is our fight for we know that no one is free until we are all free. And we absolutely know that without women - especially transnational, women of color - there is no revolution. Join us today and every day onward - our feminist uprising has already begun. Please share and tag all the women you want to recognize today! ---- • To read our statement for IWD, visit: http://bit.ly/af3iwdst • For our women's month calendar, http://bit.ly/af3iwd17 • If you're participating in the International Women's Strike, log your hours at http://bit.ly/iwdcalc