#49 Owning My Racial Identity

Yesterday was international women’s day and the theme this year is break the bias. There’s a viral campaign spreading where women and allies share photos of themselves with their arms crossed in front of them, forming an X to motion fighting bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

I love to see this act of solidarity to support gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

We’ve made a lot of progress since Susan B. Anthony days, but there’s still a long way to go. Even today, women are paid a lot less than white men, especially women of color. And they are underrepresented in leadership positions by a pretty significant amount.

In the chart below you’ll see that advancement opportunities diminish for women in the workplace and increase for white men. Women of color make up only 4% of the C-suite while white men account for 62%.

My experience in corporate America is accurately reflected in this study.

In an interview with my friend, coach and healer Anné Klint, I share what it was like as an intersectional minority in a male dominated workplace. I talk about how I whitewashed myself to find a sense of belonging and “look the part” to portray the perfect employee. But what actually ended up happening was that I completely disconnected from myself.

This self-abandoning behavior began to take a toll on my well being, my relationships and my career.

Listen to Episode 49 now

Changing careers and moving away from my old work environment gave me the space to heal and develop a stronger sense of self. 

I no longer find myself conforming to other ways of being, people pleasing and overworking like I used to.

My experiences taught me a lot and gave me the inspiration to support other women who are on similar paths in their lives and careers.

Share your story with me in the comments section below

P.S. The podcast episode this week was originally published on Anné Klint’s youtube channel. If you’d like to watch the video version, you can click here.