South Africa commemorates Women's Month in August as a tribute to the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws. Remembering these brave women and the achievements and struggles of the generations of women who came before us, we challenge everyone to become the role model you admire most. Each of us has a responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation of women and we all need role models at all stages of our careers.
As Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic woman to become a US Supreme Court Justice, said
"a role model … provides more than inspiration; [their] very existence is confirmation of possibilities one may have every reason to doubt, saying 'Yes, someone like me can do this'."
Women need to see confidence and accomplishment in other women to inspire their own journeys.
However, women also need to see men actively involved in helping to advance the equal treatment of women in the workplace and in society at large.
At Webber Wentzel, we expect all our men and women in leadership positions to take active steps to create a more inclusive, enabling and equitable working environment in their teams, and to encourage everyone to be able to be their authentic selves at work.
As we commemorate Women's Month in August, we are reminded that it is each of our responsibility to do all we can to challenge unequal gender power relations and that each of us has the potential to be a role model. We encourage you to actively share your stories and your insights to help others achieve their full potential.
*Collage: At Webber Wentzel, 43% of our partners are women.
