#15: This Week in Patriarchy-Smashing
Ok, I've gone back and forth on this one (so has The Pool's Gaby Hinsliff), but in the end I've come out in favor of the women-only social clubs like The Wing in NYC, and AllBright here in London that are springing up everywhere lately. Honestly, I don't have some well-constructed feminist argument to defend my position; I just really want to take every opportunity to participate in a community of smart, vibrant, and ambitious creative women. There are too many things that make finding and connecting with female friends so difficult, this seems to just clear the obstacles. And you know what, these clubs look like gorgeous places to hang out. I want to go to there.
I believe I've adequately covered off on a decent amount of the workplace bullshit women have to deal with, so when I came across the Within leadership retreat for women in design, I had a real hallelujah moment. Organized by design leader and coach Mia Blume (who's own CV has some pretty badass bullet points from her tenure at Pinterest, Square, and IDEO), April's inaugural event in Palm Springs (!!!) promises to be a total woo-tenanny bringing together an impressive roster of serious design boss ladies. My people! I'm on the waiting list for now, a safe space where I can bask in the delusion that my newly un self-employed ass will be able to afford the ticket.
The Wall Street Journal last month published a sweeping report on Women in the Workplace, with research by LeanIn.org and McKinsey. There's a lot to dig into here, so go have a poke around, but this piece on the Catch-22 of women who ask for raises really takes the cake.
Finally, my friend, colleague, and intrepid founder of Yodomo (the startup I've been working with), Sophie Rochester published a recap of lessons she's learned as a female founder over the past year of her journey. Chock full of truth-bombs, I read this missive with a grin on my face and a tear in my eye, because I've been a firsthand witness to much of the frustration and aggravation she's experienced. Nevertheless...well, you know the rest.