International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated every March 8th and has been for more than a century. Today, it’s a day where the world recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women everywhere.
While International Women’s Day raises awareness for issues women are still fighting for today, it also brings communities together to honor the progress of the women’s rights front and the various movements behind them.
While the global theme for IWD 2019 is #BalanceforBetter, we want to also celebrate in our own way. At True&Co., our mission is to celebrate women every single day, so our approach to International Women’s Day is a lot like our design philosophy. We believe in supporting and empowering what makes every woman so uniquely, wonderfully her, which is why we’re shining the spotlight on you, our community. We’re highlighting all the ways you’ve shown us and other women what it means to feel comfortable in your own skin, beyond your body, and the lasting impact of that positivity.
A Community of Women
Our community is an invaluable source of inspiration and strength for all of us here at True&Co. and we’ve made our own efforts to help drive positive change for women. We know knowledge is power, so we’ve run our #TheFutureIsFemale Scholarship for three years in a row, awarding $3,000 towards an educational course of the winner’s choice.
Last year alone, we received over 27,000 (!) applications from women working to improve their communities. We were so inspired that we decided to award two scholarships! But it goes without saying that each applicant is a winner in her own right.
We form partnerships and build lasting relationships with other brands empowering women, including Sunski and, most recently, GRLSWIRL. As our communities grow stronger, so do the women within them.
Who Inspires You?
You already know who inspires us. Tell us who inspires you! Share a bit about who they are and how they inspire you by posting a pic (either of them or an image that relates to them) on Instagram with the hashtags #trueinspiration and #IWD2019.
Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at True&Co.
P.S. Check out what some of the team at True&Co. Submitted below!
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Michelle Lam, President
Image via The Nobel Prize
I’m inspired by Frances H. Arnold.
She drove taxis in Pittsburg to pay her way through school and became the 5th female winner of a Nobel Prize in chemistry. There have only been 13 winners since the Nobel Prize started in XX. She is a QUEEN and a force to be reckoned with. Oh, and she also invented directed evolution. *mic drop* Read more about her here.
Emily Snyder, Director of Planning
My sister, Erin, is my inspiration!
She’s a physician who treats all types of patients, doing so with compassion and understanding (in English & Spanish). She diagnoses people who haven’t found a solution to their problem for years. She’s also a super awesome business woman and leader in her male-dominated field.
Sam Quintanar, Social Media Sr. Coordinator
My mom is my rock and my biggest supporter. She didn’t have much when she had me at age 20, but has worked so hard to provide me with opportunities to thrive in life.
Michelle Cosaluzzo, Video Editor
A woman that has inspired me is Martha Graham, the mother of modern dance. She lived very deeply in her art and choreographed until her death in 1991 at the age of 96. Her longevity and honesty as an artist are forever inspiring.
Melissa Mar, UX Director
Malala Yousafzai inspires me.
Despite the threats on her life, she has continued to advocate for human rights advocacy and education of women. She’s the epitome of humanity. I recently read the story ‘Malala’s Magic Pencil’ to my kids and found myself crying as they were asking why the girls in the story couldn’t go to school. The motif of the magic pencil to make the world a better place is accessible for young children and a beautiful and powerful message.
Tiffany Lin, Data Analyst
My mom inspires me.
She always told me to aim to be the best version of myself so that I’ll be ready if and when any opportunities in life comes up.
Amena Elmashni, Graphic Designer
Pictured: 3 generations; my mother, my 2 sisters and their children
My mother and sisters inspire me every day to be a badass woman who is unapologetic of her womanness. They’ve shown me women can do it all with no limitations as long as we uplift each other and grow as a community. Growing up, I watched and learned from the 3 women in my life continuously sacrifice for family, community, and humanity. For that, I am ever grateful.
Alisse Vanderbeck, Buyer
Not only is my mom my inspiration, she’s also my best friend, travel buddy, and favorite hockey game date! She puts love and passion into everything she does and it’s contagious to everyone around her
Marlene Merwarth, Sr. Graphic Designer
I’m most inspired by the women in my neighborhood.
They are such an open and welcoming group! In busy times, it can be easy to close ourselves off to others—I admire them for always reaching out to build community.
Lauryn Zulkie, Creative Producer
I’m inspired by my two sisters-in-law that have something very cool in common: they’re extreme marathon runners. I say “extreme” because they battle some of Chicago and New York’s worst weather to train year round. It takes someone with wholehearted dedication to get out there, do the time, and have it pay off maybe several months to a year later at the next race. I find inspiration from their passion and it drives me to complete my own marathon one day. #goalgetters
Julia Ng, Executive Assistant
The most inspiring woman in my life is my very own mother – Mrs. Lien Pham 🙂
I think Lincoln said it best “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother”. Mom taught me about commitment and determination. Every time life pushes me down, and I feel like giving up, I recall how my 5’1” mother was able to carry me as a baby through the jungles and across the Pacific Ocean for a better future and I find the strength to pull myself back up again.
Anda Pho, VP Marketing
Mrs. Putich, Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
She is inspirational to me because with everything she does, she gives it her all. From small things like how she really gets into reading to young kids to bigger ideas like stop “stop light check system” to teaching kids structure.
Nikki Dekker, Design Director
Heather Langenkamp’s character, Nancy Thompson, in the Nightmare on Elm Street movies for always facing her fears and outsmarting the bad guy.