Does the glass ceiling really exist?
I am no self-proclaimed feminist. Nevertheless, the distinct perspective or lack thereof of being a woman, and specifically being a woman of color has remained an unanswered question related to my chosen career.
In a professional universe like engineering, women like me have had to face challenges of being the “few” and sometimes even the “sole” one in an otherwise male-populated world.
This works in more ways than one – being heard, being seen, being respected. Females are often excluded in many professions. Some are deemed incompatible because of physical ability.
Cultural and religious reservations often warrant exclusions of women. Nonetheless, most follow stereotypical trends. Yet, historically, one evidential reason points to women who were forced to taking hiatuses from their careers to care for their newborns, because of the then lack of an alternative; until progressive family friendly laws came into existence later.
Nursing, teaching and several other careers that promise to offer a better balance between personal life and work continue to attract women to this day. In fact to date, percentage enrollment of women in many male-dominated professional careers have not significantly risen from the teens.
History shows that in many parts of the world, successful female political and corporate leaders are nothing new. Indira Gandhi headed the largest democracy as a prime minister of India for well over a decade.
But for the iron hand of Margaret Thatcher for over 11 years, England could not boast of a longer lasting head other that the queen herself.
The Republic of Dominica can claim Eugenia Charles as not only the first female lawyer, but also the country's prime minister for over 14 years.
As the world's first female elected democratically, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir held the role of Iceland's president for 16 years.
Indra Nooyi at the helm of Pepsico, Mary Barra of General Motors and Ginni Rometti of IBM, to name a few, have undeniably etched progress on a career path in global corporate behemoths that was only held by a couple of women two decades ago. Conversely, the “glass ceiling,” an imaginary barrier that is alleged to prevent progress within an organizational hierarchy, is also not new. That there have been many female heads of state or corporations has not diminished the societal need to address gaps in gender equality.
Will the diversity of professional careers continue to dictate specific gender barriers in entry and existence?
Barring organic physical constraints, are there justifiable reasons for exclusion of women? Will the everpervasive debate between nature and nurture help in alleviating these visible gaps?
Does the glass ceiling still exist?
If it does, are we close to shattering it? Perhaps.
The only way to shatter it is to applaud the continued progress of women while continuing to question its existence. Because in a world of a diverse blend of people with the proper skill sets and passions, regardless of their gender or color, there would be no glass ceiling, only a sky with no limit offering the best for all individuals.
And this year, we have a new vice president, Kamala Harris.
A woman.
A woman of color. A first in our history.
I pause at this distinct moment in my own pursuit of self, to reflect on our feminine past and to celebrate our diverse and inclusive future, as a nation and as a world.
Dublin native Padma Sastry began her career at Bell Labs and has served as a consultant to major health insurance providers. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Ohio State University and Franklin University.