Bring it into Balance – International Women’s Day

This Friday, March 8, 2019, is International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is #BalanceforBetter – strive for a gender balanced world. As a female who has been in several fields dominated by males, I hope I am part of a shift towards balance. [I will admit I am one who left a STEM field, but not because of what may be considered traditional gender issues.]

I feel fortunate my gender hasn’t (noticeably) impacted my career path. I played front yard football with my brother and the neighborhood boys in elementary school. I wanted to play and they gave me a chance. In high school, I was the only female marching with the drumline. I feel I earned respect because of my skills. (Side note: here’s a study from Megan Aube – her PhD dissertation on females in percussion from 2011.)

In my non-coaching professional career, I worked for a semiconductor manufacturer and was one of only a handful of female engineers. I now work for a nonprofit in the development realm, and it is not balanced either, but in this case the majority of employees are female. Seeing both sides of the spectrum I will say, in my experience, gender balance is better.

What does balance look like in endurance sports? In the 2016 demographic report, 35% of USA Triathlon members were female, up from 27% in 2000. But only 15% of USA Cycling license holders are female. (Ladies – get on your bikes & ride! And race!) At the 2018 XTERRA World Championships , only 28% of the competitors were female. Running appears to be tipped the other way with a 2017 Running USA survey showed 63% of runners are female. I spot checked the results of a local half-marathon and found it 50-50.

What can sports do to help with balance? Participating in sport is about doing something that challenges you – doing something you thought not possible. I’m always inspired by the Women’s Mountain Biking Association of Colorado Springs. Over the years they have made many, many female riders more confident on their bikes out on the trails, myself included. Kudos to them to bring better balance to the world of mountain biking.

Confidence gained through sport can translate into your career, your relationships, and other life challenges.

In my own personal life, especially dealing with some of the challenges of multiple sclerosis, I’ve said to myself, “this is nothing; I’ve done an Ironman.” I take a deep breath and proceed step by step, just as I had to do to finish an Ironman.

So what can you do to work towards #BalanceforBetter? Here are some personal tips I have to hopefully inspire you:

1. Embrace your dreams. Back in middle school, I just wanted to play the drums. It didn’t matter that I didn’t have a female role model at the time. I was fortunate to be supported by my parents (reluctantly perhaps, because drums) and was able to join the percussion section of my school band. I was surrounded by boys but I just wanted to be the best player I could be.
2. Get educated. Be a knowledge sponge about your chosen field or sport. Know the history, the current situation, and create your vision for the future. I truly believe knowledge is power. If you want respect, know what you are talking about.
3. Have a role model, mentor, and a coach. If you want to get to a certain level, who can help guide you? If you want to learn, you can find someone who will teach you. Male or female, learn from the best. Learn from those who have the experience to help you.
4. If the path isn’t cut, make your own. Be persistent and creative to break the barriers. If you have the knowledge and vision, hard work will get you where you want to be.

Wherever you are in life and in this world, I hope you think about where you want to be, and do everything you can to get there for better balance.