Change happens best through evolution, not revolution – Cincinnati.com

Terry Sexton Segerberg 10:27 a.m. ET March 20, 2017

Terry Sexton Segerberg(Photo: Provided)

Terry Sexton Segerberg is the chief executive officer of Cincinnati-based Mesa Industries.

As a young woman, I worked for a major fine china manufacturer. At first, I wanted to be valued as both a person and a woman. I took great pride when I accomplished something that was unusual for a woman. Over time my attitude or perhaps my approach changed. I no longer wanted to have my gender a part of my strategic thinking. I wanted to be judged for what I contributed. When I walked the production floor it was no longer important to me to be viewed as a female. I had earned my place.

Now when I hear the word feminist I cringe. I feel a huge disconnect. I was a feminist. I wasnt angry or aggressive. I simply chose to prove to each person and challenge that as a woman I was capable. Yes, I took on roles and challenges that women didnt traditionally do. I was one of the first women to be allowed to join the Rotary club and later one of the first female club presidents. Yes, it was hard sometimes to be the only woman in meetings. Sometimes men walked out of meetings because I was there. But I was determined to prove the doubters wrong through the quality of my work. I never used anger. I never asked for an opportunity that I wasnt qualified for.

There were quite a few inappropriate remarks and efforts to minimalize me. Oddly, some of the loudest offending voices were women. Some were hyper critical of me and often resisted sharing information with me because I was a female manager in a male role. Nonetheless at 20 years old, if someone attempted to disrespect me, I stood my ground. Privately I shook but never where I could be seen. Big girls dont cry.

Some young women today have changed the dialog. They have lost their direction. They are angry because they think womens equal rights are essentially non-existent. I say the issue has become more complex as sexual harassment and maternity leave became unforeseen factors. I agree that altering the workplace to accommodate for these issues is a challenge that must be addressed. Nonetheless, we arent owed anything simply because we are female. It is incredibly easier because of women like my mother and me. Where we faced opportunities completely blocked to us; these same opportunities today are nothing special.

Those angry voices want to change the rules. They feel that they must play like the boys. I have seen an increase in crudeness in language and behavior from women. In doing this they quit being women.

The female perspective is different from the male. We all know this. By dampening that voice because a woman feels like she needs to behave like a man, she has devalued her contributions. And far worse, she has devalued herself.

Proof of the value of the female perspective are the vast opportunities for women today. Just slightly over half of American workers are women. Almost 52 percenthold professional-level jobs. While they dont hold an equally impressive number of upper echelon positions that number is improving. Change happens best through evolution, not revolution.

Men are used to having working spouses. Therefore; they are more accepting of working side by side with female co-workers. Daycares are plentiful. Companies have begun to realize the importance of offering benefit programs that support families as a huge plus in attracting top talent.

Yes, there are still disparities. As a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, I am often the only woman at professional events. Yes, there is strong evidence that women dont get paid at the same rate for the same job. Yes, it is amazingly challenging to be both a mother and a full-time employee.

And yet we have made progress at becoming equals in every aspect of life. Our mere presence as a majority in the workforce has required the rules to change.

So perhaps, I have come full circle. Today I am proud to be a woman who has accomplished things other women havent. I have seen the world change. Is it perfect and equal? No. But because of how far we have come, the rest of the path is clear.

Going forward women can set the agenda. We can take the topic of reproductive issues out of the discussions. We are far more than a pair of ovaries. It is up to each of us to set our reproductive rights. Not politicians and not our employers. We are smart, educated people who can contribute highly intuitive and valuable skills and talent to todays workforce. We must not be distracted by those angry voices but rather encouraged by those have succeeded. Candace McGraw CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. Shakila Ahmad President of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. These are accomplished women!

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Change happens best through evolution, not revolution - Cincinnati.com