BECOMING AN ALLY FOR WOMEN: THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW

In July, the National Conflict Resolution Center hosted a conversation about gender equity in the workplace, featuring two leaders from business and government: Jane Howard-martin, vice president, labor and employment for Toyota Motor North America, and Susan Davis, former 10-term member of Congress from California’s 53rd District.

Both women spoke of the role that male allies have played in furthering their careers. Howardmartin, an attorney, noted that she was often an “only” (woman) in meetings with men. Male allies “looked out for me, validated me and spoke up for me when I wasn’t in the room,” Howard-martin said. “They gave me opportunities to demonstrate that I’m capable.”

For Davis, a member of the (female) minority throughout her congressional tenure, male allies were required to get things done. But Davis was not shy about calling out colleagues for their “deaf ear” tendencies. (Hint: It’s when a woman shares an idea, and it goes unacknowledged — but the same idea gets attention when voiced later by a man.) Davis believes their intent wasn’t harmful. They were just unaware.

I was reminded of our two speakers as I listened to the testimony of four female gymnasts — Simone Biles, Mckayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols and Aly Raisman — at a recent hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

These young women could have used a male ally — even one — as they endured systematic sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of the USA Gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar. Instead, their stories and pleas — intended to keep other girls safe — were diminished, falsified or ignored.

Their testimony sickened me. Hearing them speak, any parent of a daughter would feel the same way.

Maroney first raised allegations against Nassar in July 2015. After she described the incidents of abuse — which began when Maroney was 13 — the investigating FBI agent asked, “Is that all?” Seventeen months later, his report was issued, filled with false statements. And while the investigation languished, Nassar abused scores of victims. As Maroney said, “Nassar turned out to be more of a pedophile than he was a doctor.”

A Justice Department Inspector General report, released in July, concluded that FBI officials “failed to respond to the Nassar allegations with the utmost seriousness and urgency that they deserved and required, made numerous and fundamental errors when they did respond to them, and violated multiple FBI policies.”

Nassar was sentenced in January to up to 175 years in prison. But so far, there have been no consequences for USA Gymnastics (their CEO, who was forced to resign, left with a $1 million severance package) or the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which enabled the abuse. The FBI agent who mishandled the case, and then lied about it, was fired just before the convening of the Judiciary Committee hearing.

Members of the committee — male and female — uniformly expressed outrage at the abuse and neglect these young women endured. They praised the athletes’ courage in coming forth and made assurances that their testimony will lead to change. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-texas, aptly described these stories as “every parent’s nightmare” because we trust coaches (and doctors and trainers) to take care of our kids.

At the National Conflict Resolution Center, we provide training that enables people to become better allies. The ART of Inclusive Communication (ARTIC) 2.0 teaches that allyship is a journey. We launched ARTIC 2.0 last year, helping participants move toward anti-racist behavior. But the same principles apply to the pursuit of gender equity.

At the beginning of the journey, “armchair allies” are aware of injustice, but not inclined to act. “Emerging allies” feel concern — and maybe even guilt — which sparks an interest in learning more. With knowledge, they may become “engaged allies,” working to right a perceived wrong.

The Judiciary Committee members have taken important steps on the road to allyship. They showed compassion for the four athletes and acknowledged the systemic failures that protected the wrong people. But it’s unclear whether any “active allies” will emerge, to champion and effect the societal changes that are necessary to ensure the safety of all young girls.

The way we treat girls is a reflection of a patriarchal system that views women as second-class citizens.

It’s a system that needs to change. And so, it’s important for men to step up as allies, whenever we can, in workplaces and in society. That includes taking to heart the behaviors that made a difference for Howard-martin and Davis, both accomplished people.

Biles, Maroney, Nichols, and Raisman made it abundantly clear: The time to act is now.