They said, "The sky is the limit," but they didn't specify that this message is meant only for a particular gender. When women spread their wings, aiming for the stars, they crashed against a glass ceiling and watched their dreams drift away.
Today, in 2023, we can safely say that times have changed. There is a revolution in the works. Let's discuss how the glass ceiling has been shattered for women.
Times Have Changed
For as long as we can date back, women have been a victim of stigma. Men were considered the breadwinners, and domestic responsibilities burdened women. As time passed and women were finally accepted into workplaces, they came face to face with the "glass ceiling." This term describes a barrier to advancement; even though it is an epidemic that affects minorities as well, the glass ceiling is most famously known to affect women in society.
It was almost as though men saw the potential in women and wished to mitigate and mute their voices. They would use biologics, shunning women for being inferior to them. But, scientifically, women have traits that make them more skillful and better in workplace performance. Their ability to withstand stress, be emotionally intelligent, and be empathetic toward subordinates are just a few abilities that set them apart.
Even though women are still stigmatized for excelling in workspaces, society today is much more progressive. One can say it is moving toward a brighter tomorrow.
Here are some sectors where women are thriving, showing evidence of how the glass ceiling has been shattered.
Politics: Kamala Harris became America's first-ever female vice president, setting a precedent for women worldwide to believe in themselves. Jacinda Ardern, the former prime minister of New Zealand, tightened the firearms laws within a week of a lone gunman attack at two mosques. Most recently, Mexico is bracing for its first-ever female president. It is liberating to notice these changes, considering there was a time when women were not given the right to vote.
Education: One cannot simply excel in life without education. Perhaps it is due to their patience, diligence, or natural fortitude toward nurturing the young that women influence the education industry. Fun fact: Women comprise 73 percent of all classroom teachers in Pennsylvania.
Healthcare: Another industry that requires compassion and resilience. Being in healthcare is a mentally demanding job. According to the United States Census Bureau, 76% of all healthcare jobs are occupied by women. That's not all; women have contributed 80% to the overall growth in the healthcare industry.
Administration: You can't run an office without smooth and streamlined operations. Nearly 94% of administrative assistants are women across various fields, from social and legal to business ventures.
Beauty: In 2022 alone, the beauty industry generated a whopping 528.59 billion worldwide. Kylie Jenner became the youngest female self-made billionaire, mainly due to her Kylie Cosmetics business. Her success exemplifies how far women can go with their unique attributes, interests, and enterprises.
Oh, and let's not forget how singer-songwriter sensation Taylor Swift generated $4.6 billion in total consumer spending, which is larger than the GDP of 35 countries!
That is the power of women.
As we walk proudly on the clear pavement leading toward abundance, it's liberating to look back at the shards of glass left behind by a broken ceiling.
Another woman who exemplifies the power of dedication and resilience, author Dr. Lori Schneider, pens a beautiful ode to women's empowerment in celebration of the glass ceiling shattering.
Read "The Glass Ceiling Has Shattered" in her book, reflecting positivity in hopes for A Brighter TOMORROW. Grab your copy—now available on Amazon.
