Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26 to commemorate the adoption of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which gave women in the U.S. the right to vote. It took many years of perseverance, courage and struggle for women to gain this important right. The historic moment led to the creation of Women’s Equality Day, with Congress officially recognizing the observance in 1973.
Women’s Equality Day is more than a recognition of history – it’s about celebrating women who are leading, inspiring and playing a vital role in every part of American life.
Members of ASRC Federal’s Executive Leadership Team reflected on this day by sharing insight and personal experiences in the following Q&A.
Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned or piece of advice that you hope to pass on to the next generation of women leaders?
A: Be true to yourself, and do not let external pressures change who you are or dictate your path. You may encounter cultural norms and expectations to be or act a certain way, especially when you are the only woman in the room. Be confident knowing you are there because you bring a different perspective, and this variety of viewpoints is required to solve the hardest problems and tackle the best of challenges. Don’t be afraid to sit at the table and speak up.
– Ann Stevens, ASRC Federal Chief Strategy Officer
Q: What can those in leadership roles do to empower and inspire the women in their organization?
A: Leaders have a great opportunity and responsibility to recognize and empower women in their organizations. This can take many forms, such as mentorship through guidance, support and advice; sponsorship and access by advocating for high-visibility roles; and fostering a supportive environment where all voices and experiences are heard and considered when making decisions. But most importantly, leaders need to inspire all women by acknowledging their achievements in the organization as well as highlighting their contributions and successes to the business.
– Mike Manzo, ASRC Federal Defense & Intel Operating Group President
Q: Reflecting on past roles/experiences, is there a female leader or mentor who has had an impact on your career, and why?
A: Absolutely, there have been many over the course of my 30-year career. Perhaps most notably, I had the opportunity to work for a true trailblazer in our industry, Linda Gooden. Linda started her 40+ year career at General Dynamics as a software engineer and retired from Lockheed Martin as the Executive Vice President of Information Systems and Global Services business area, a $10B+ organization.
Linda was an inspirational leader who consistently broke through ceilings of bias and inequity that existed across the defense industry. As a woman of color, she was often underestimated, which she used as fuel to propel her rise through the executive levels of the organizations she worked.
Linda’s drive, intellect and savvy business acumen were impossible to ignore. She consistently built strong organizations, actively developed current and future leaders and always delivered on her commitments to the organization. Her lead-by-example approach was contagious, and I was proud to be part of her team.
My time working with Linda heavily shaped my approach to becoming a leader and has had an enduring influence on my leadership journey in the 10+ years since last working with her. I would go as far as to say, Linda is perhaps a reason I joined ASRC Federal – welcoming the opportunity to work for another industry trailblazer, ASRC Federal President and CEO Jennifer Felix, who represents many of the same leadership qualities and successes as Linda.
– Dan Cuviello, ASRC Federal Chief Growth Officer
