Today is International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, professional, and political achievements of women around the world. To celebrate we’re highlighting some of our leading ladies at Tacala! Check them out below to learn how they use their girl power for good and how they are helping the next generation of female leaders.
“International Women’s Day is about celebrating other women, empowering each other, clapping for one another, and focusing on gender equality. I think it is very important to support other women and empower them to believe in themselves and keep pushing past barriers and achieving new goals. It is important to have women in leadership positions set an example and open doors for other women. As a female leader it is important to me that I am inclusive of others, set an example of kindness and resiliency, and share my knowledge and appreciation. I encourage and lift up other women on my team by complementing them, celebrating their achievements, sharing kind and encouraging words, and motivating them to keep performing at their greatest level. The opportunities for growth are endless when we support one another and rally together.
As a Market Training Leader, women from my past and present often catch me off guard telling me thank you, but their appreciation is the best motivation and reminds me of the impact my leadership has had on their personal and professional lives. They make me want to want to push for more, work even harder, and make an impact in the world.”
– Crystal Ramirez, Market Training Leader, Uvalde, Texas
“Today celebrates women for all the great things we do daily. Whether it’s being a leader, entrepreneur, mother, wife, or all of the above, this day celebrates the endless job that comes with being a woman.
As women we all have dealt with carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders, but when we support each other, we can help lighten the load and nurture each other to greatness.My mother is one the strongest women I know. She’s handled so much adversity and never quit even when her world was upside down, and I’m grateful to have learned so much from her. Being a female leader gives me the opportunity to show little girls that they too can accomplish great things and there’s no limit to the goals women can achieve. I always remind my team we get back what we put into the world and more, and I try to pave the way for them and help them advance their careers to reach their full potential.”
– Calandria Turner, Area Coach, Valdosta, Georgia
“Today we are celebrating women’s achievements and all that we have accomplished. Women have a lot to be proud of! Women understand each other, and when we encourage and support each other we can all achieve many things. In my position I get the chance to lift other women up by providing opportunities, holding them accountable to their goals, encouraging them to keep going, and celebrating their wins. I try to mentor, listen, and motivate as many women as I can to help make an impact on future female leaders.
I want to encourage other women to not be intimidated to take on leadership positions, because being a leader comes naturally to most of us. Women in leadership positions attract other women to the organization, bring a different set of skills, and challenge men on communication, creativity, and handling crises. I’m motivated by several of my female friends who have successful careers, and I look up to them as I continue to grow. If we all support each other, there will always be another woman around to support and mentor you too.”
– Laura Maravi, Region Vice President, Texas
“International Women’s Day is about recognizing and applauding the women around us by showing support and celebrating them! Celebrating this day is helping to break the stereotype that women don’t support other women. Women empowering women is one of the most powerful things, and together we’re building female leaders and finding success for each other. It’s important to have women in leadership positions, because once upon a time I didn’t have a strong female leader to look up to. I want to be that mentor and support for other women, and show them that anything is possible.
I look up to Maya Angelou, Arrianna Huffington, and my mom, because each of them have had a positive impact on my life and paved the way for me and other female leaders. Maya Angelou’s poems are motivational and have helped me through some tough times in my life. Arianna Huffington built an empire all while empowering other women along the way. My mom is the strongest and most incredible woman in my life. She has terminal cancer, but she still calls me every day and reminds my daughters to make a difference at school. My mom is fighting a terminal battle, but she’s fighting as hard as she can. She doesn’t believe in the word “can’t”, and she’s taught me and my daughters to only have a can-do attitude too. She is my biggest motivation, because if she can do it than I can too! I’m doing my best to be there and encourage my mom, the same way she has always done for me.”
– Carrie Brown, Area Coach, South Alabama
“Today is a special day giving us the opportunity to honor and celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness about women’s equality. I’m proud to set an example for other female leaders and women wanting to become leaders, because we cannot be what we cannot see. It’s important to support, empower, and help other women, so we can all pave the way for each other and make this a better world. I’m blessed to come from a strong foundation of women, my grandmother, mom, sister, and sister-in-law, who have helped me be the person I am today, and I strive to carry on the tradition and be the same role model for my daughter and my team as they have been for me. My goal is to always bring out the best in people and leave them feeling encouraged. I’m proud to have coached and encouraged females on my team to believe in themselves and take on new leadership roles they never thought were possible. One of my favorite quotes that inspires me is, “Whatever it is your heart desires, please go for it. It’s yours to have.” from Gloria Estefan”
– Maricela Morales, Area Coach, Bryan, Texas
“International Women’s Day is a chance for us to celebrate and recognize women for the important work and contributions they make daily to their homes, jobs, and society. Supporting each other as women is important, because balancing so much for our families, friends, coworkers, etc. can be overwhelming. Having the support of another woman who understands your feelings is extremely helpful and encouraging. My mother is the most influential woman in my life, because she always sets a great example, encourages me daily and supports me in every way she can. She showed me it was possible to be a great mother and wife, and still have a fulfilling career, and it’s because of her that I am who I am today.
Women in leadership positions set the standard that women can accomplish anything that men can. I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given throughout my tenure with Tacala to mentor young women and watch them grow into great leaders. Being able to teach someone the skills they need to be successful is a rewarding feeling, and seeing these women continue their success brings me so much joy. I encourage and lift up other women by being supportive, lending a listening ear, and celebrating their personal and professional accomplishments. Young women need female role models to look up to and know that they have every opportunity available to them, and I’m proud to be a female role model for the next generation.”
– Dena Smith, Dean of Tacala Leadership University
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate all the women around the globe who overcome obstacles in life, break barriers, and achieve success in their personal and professional lives. It is also a day to inspire, motivate and pave the way for young girls and other women to follow. The tide is changing, and I see more and more women uplifting each other, sharing feelings and content, and celebrating each other’s success, which will continue to pave the way for future generations. There is power in empowering others and celebrating each other’s success. I encourage my team to excel in every aspect of their life, and I provide advice and assistance with the tools and resources they may need. I celebrate my team’s wins, big or small, personal or professional. There are many women I look up to, but my mother was my biggest role model. Her character, optimism, and resilience were embedded in my upbringing and helped me become the woman I am today. It is a privilege to work in my position as Tacala’s Chief Compliance Officer and be able to support other women and work for a company that believes employees, including women, are their greatest asset. Women in leadership positions add value, bring different perspectives, and foster an environment that is collaborative, creative, and open to difference. Female leaders inspire other women, who systematically underestimate their own abilities, to shift mindsets, drive engagement, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.”
– Angelique DeFranco, Chief Compliance Officer
“In this month of International Women’s Day, I would like to celebrate one of my own female mentors that also happens to be a Tacala employee. From the moment I met Marjorie Perlman, Tacala’s Chief Marketing Officer, I knew I needed to take note! She immediately made an impression on me as a hardworking, community minded woman, and I knew that was how I wanted to be viewed. Her mentorship of me grew slowly and very organically, and I don’t even think she knew she was my mentor, as we never made it “official”. Marjorie has always been a woman that I admired both professionally and personally. I’ve not yet perfected Marjorie’s humor but the rest of what I have witnessed in Marjorie as a professional woman has been a tremendous guide for me in the workplace and in my life overall. As you are growing in your own career look for someone that embodies the characteristics you want to see in yourself and seek that person out to mentor you the same way Marjorie has done for me.
Below are some mentoring guidelines found in Forbes Magazine that I found to be particularly helpful. I hope that you find them helpful, too.
People to Consider When Looking for a Mentor:
-Someone in your field (your profession or industry)
-Someone who has been in your circumstances (e.g.; single parent, similar professional designation, like minded career goals)
-Someone who is one of your greatest cheerleaders
-Someone who will critique you
-Someone who is a leader in the area in which you aspire to grow or succeed (e.g., professional, spiritual, personal)
-Someone from a generation older
-Someone from a generation younger
-Someone who can introduce you to others (e.g., in your profession or community)”
– Ragan Cain, Chief Administrative Officer
We wish all of our ladies at Tacala a very happy International Women’s Day, and as Beyoncé said, “Who run the world? GIRLS!”
