#ChooseToChallenge
By Richard Schooley
03/11/21
March is Women’s History Month. A time to look critically at equality and opportunities for women and to educate people on women’s history. On Monday, March 8th, International Women’s Day was celebrated with the theme, #ChooseToChallenge. “To challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. To seek out and celebrate the achievements of women. To collectively create an inclusive world. From challenge, comes change.”
From Challenge, Comes Change
When my father died and my mother was left to raise three sons, that was challenge. What I witnessed in my mom afterward was amazing strength and resiliency. The changes came in seen and unseen ways. My parents had traditional roles. My father worked outside of the home, took care of the cars, and paid the bills. Mom cooked most of the meals and made our house a home. When we would go on vacation, my dad hooked up the trailer and my mom filled it with food.
Our lives changed quickly after Dad passed away from a fast-growing liver cancer. It wasn’t long after he died, that Mom announced a family camping trip — I think, in part, to learn how to hook up the trailer. Before long, she was doing everything my father had previously done. And I learned a lot just by watching how she lived her life.
Even in this pandemic, women are disproportionately affected by the consequences of workplace disruptions and the impacts of daily life. And women of color are affected to an even greater degree. While we are all experiencing unprecedented pandemic-related challenges, our team at Potentia is adopting #ChooseToChallenge as a way to commit ourselves—more deeply than ever—to the financial health and well-being of the women we serve.
I #ChooseToChallenge the gender bias against women in finance. I am capable, knowledgeable, and a leader in my industry.
To be a strong and ambitious woman has often come with labels, some positive, some not so positive. I #ChooseToChallenge those labels. I will be an example with my words and actions.
To quote Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” I #ChooseToChallenge myself and others around me to make sure RBG’s words are true.
As for me, I #ChooseToChallenge myself to learn more deeply how gender differences affect one’s approach to money and wealth management. To uncover any hidden biases I may have that prevent me from being the best financial advisor I can be to women in particular. So, what’s the change I wish to see? Richer conversations and deeper understanding.
From challenge, comes change. I’d love to know your challenge and the change you wish to see.
Kevin C. Swanson
CEO
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any financial product or service. It is not designed or intended to provide financial, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice since such advice always requires consideration of individual circumstances. If professional advice is needed, the services of a professional advisor should be sought.