The 2020 MAKERS Conference: Take action
The 2020 MAKERS Conference has come to an end — but the spirit of NOT DONE lives on. Powerful individuals who are helping reshape the landscape for women in the workplace (and beyond) took to the stage and shared insights from experience and actions to take. Now let’s go out and join their fight. To relive the entire conference, watch here.
Kathrine Switzer, Athlete, Author & Advocate, was the first woman to officially enter the Boston Marathon and she encourages us to give young people “every opportunity to be empowered” possible. “Talent and capability is everywhere,” says Switzer. “It just needs an opportunity.” Check out 261fearless.org.
Cameron Esposito, Comedian, Speaker in the Together Live Tour, says that she’s used her success to help other queer comedians get ahead, and that she hopes others will do the same. “If you get through the door,” says Esposito, “then you need to hold the door open.”
Willie Jackson, Keynote Speaker, Consultant & Facilitator, ReadySet, introduces what it means to be an “accomplice” instead of an ally. “We need people who are willing to put their shoulders to the wheel when it is inconvenient, when we didn't plan for it and what it might cost us something, right?” says Jackson. To learn more about Jackson’s work, click here.
Glory Edim believes that everyone deserves the chance to tell their story. She’s also using her platform, Well Read Black Girls, to share diverse writers with the world. Check out WRBG and join the club!
Rebecca Traister, Journalist & Author of Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger urges women to use their frustration, rage and resentment to drive them — and the movement — forward. “Start to think of anger as fuel,” says Traister.
Kamilah Newton, Writer, Producer & Activist, Yahoo Lifestyle & MAKERS, asks the audience to follow the Women’s Prison Association on Instagram to expose themselves to more stories like hers — and to not discount hiring women with criminal justice histories.
Olivia Wilde, Actress, Director & Activist, says that to influence the impact of women in Hollywood, we have to change how women are hired. She also recommends applying for grants — and there are plenty, like the newly-announced Verizon fund.
Anita Hill, Chair, Hollywood Commission, wants to gauge the extent of harassment, bias and abuse in the workplace. Take the Hollywood Commission survey by Feb. 24.
Yvonne Orji, Actress on “Insecure,” Comedian & Author, challenges the audience to take more chances — quit the job, move to a new city, start over in a new industry. Because fear, she says, is “like food poisoning,” but regret — like a disease — “stays with you forever.”
Katie Hill, Former Member of Congress & Advocate, asks for support of her newly-formed PAC Her-Time dedicated to breaking the glass ceiling in Washington. “We have to change who is in power,” says Hill, “and change the motivations that are behind power.”