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Associates from Retail Business Services – the services company of Ahold Delhaize USA –gathered virtually on Monday, March 8, for a special International Women’s Day program to honor and celebrate women in the workplace. The program supported the 2021 International Women’s Day theme, #ChooseToChallenge, to combat gender bias and inequity. During the two-hour event, hosted in partnership with Peapod Digital Labs, attendees heard insights from four accomplished women on how to balance work, life and well-being.

The event opened with Bethanie Baynes, a motivational speaker, podcaster and technology executive, discussing “Breadwinning Moms” – a conversation on the challenges women face when they become their family’s primary breadwinner. But being a primary breadwinner doesn’t always mean holding down the main job.

“People talk a lot about being the main provider, and I want to argue that the notion of provisions isn’t just financial,” Bethanie said. “There’s logistical provisions; there’s emotional provisions.”

Women are often the primary partner handling childcare and housework in addition to holding a full-time job. This imbalance in responsibilities has become even larger during the pandemic. To offset that, Baynes said women in the workplace must learn to take care of themselves, create boundaries and become self-advocates.

Another speaker, Carm McDonald – a Lead Product Designer at CDW and co-founder of DesignTech, a community supporting minority women in non-coding technology roles – discussed in “Addressing Imposter Syndrome” the ways gender and ethnic inclusivity can combat women and minorities feeling as if they do not belong in the workplace. When people don’t see people like themselves in the workplace or in leadership positions, they may have difficulty imagining they can advance in their career path.

“It’s very hard to aspire to be something that does not exist,” Carm said.

She also shared ways to avoid microaggressions and unconscious bias.

Kelly Nash, Success Manager at Salesforce, a software company that provides customer relationship management services, coached associates in the art of self-promotion during “Career Advocacy.”

Kelly shared that, according to studies, 84% of women feel uncomfortable talking about their professional life and accomplishments. To build up confidence in their accomplishments, she suggested that women start small – such as sharing thank-you emails they receive from clients with their managers.

Ashley Quinto Powell, a sales and revenue consultant and TEDX speaker, wrapped up the program with a discussion on how to balance work, family and self-care; becoming a good advocate; and positive ways to negotiate for things you need in life – whether it’s a raise, a job, or some peace and quiet at home.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this 2021 International Women’s Day event to life!