“Here’s to strong women: May we know them. May we raise them. May we be them.”
Rosa Parks. Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Malala Yousafzai. Oprah Winfrey. Amelia Earhart. and My Mom.
These are just a few of the countless women who have shaped history, women who refused to accept the status quo, who fought for justice, equality, and opportunity, and who paved the way for future generations.
Rosa Parks’ quiet defiance on a Montgomery bus ignited the civil rights movement. Ruth Bader Ginsburg spent her career dismantling gender discrimination in the legal system. Malala Yousafzai risked her life to fight for girls’ education. Oprah Winfrey broke barriers in media and built an empire, redefining what was possible for women in entertainment. Amelia Earhart shattered stereotypes by proving women could soar to new heights, literally.
Their stories remind us that progress doesn’t happen overnight. It happens because of women who dared to take a stand, to challenge norms, to refuse to be silenced.
Women’s History Month: A Time for Reflection and Action
Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the achievements of women throughout history and to acknowledge the ongoing fight for equality. While we honor the past, it’s also important to look at the present and future.
Yes, we’ve made incredible strides, but we still have a long way to go in achieving true equity and inclusion in every industry. Women continue to face gender pay gaps, underrepresentation in leadership, and societal expectations that make it harder to advance.
And yet, change is happening, because of women who lead, mentor, and support one another.
For me, this month is also deeply personal.
A Woman Who Did It All: Balancing Career and Family
Growing up, I had a front-row seat to watching a woman who truly did it all, excelling in a high-powered career in media and music while also showing up for every important event at home. She thrived in an industry that, at the time, was heavily male-dominated, proving that women not only belonged in boardrooms and business meetings but could lead with confidence and grace.
Yet, despite her demanding career, she never missed a single one of my youth high school games I cheered at, my baton competitions when I was young, or my sister’s soccer games. She wasn’t just a spectator, she was our biggest supporter, our loudest cheerleader, and the person who made sure we always felt seen.
She showed me that being successful in your career doesn’t mean sacrificing your presence at home. She was proof that a woman could do both.
A Family Committed to Supporting Women in Media
The influence of women in media didn’t stop with my mom. My dad has also been a champion for women in the industry, serving as a Board of Directors member for the Alliance for Women in Media and as the Co-Chair for the Gracie Awards, which recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in broadcasting and digital media.
Through their work, I saw firsthand how important it is to uplift, recognize, and advocate for women’s voices in spaces where they haven’t always been given a platform. The Gracie Awards weren’t just about trophies and ceremonies, they were about honoring the women who were breaking ground in media, telling stories that mattered, and reshaping the industry.
Seeing both my parents’ dedication to this mission shaped the way I view success today. It’s not just about climbing the ladder, it’s about creating space for others to rise with you.
Women’s History Month: We’ve Come Far, But There’s Still Work to Do
While we honor the past, we must also commit to action.
The reality is that women still face unique challenges, gender biases, workplace inequalities, and systemic barriers that limit opportunities. But change doesn’t happen overnight, it happens through small, intentional actions that create lasting impact.
How You Can Make an Impact Today
Even if you’re not in a position of power, you can be a catalyst for change. Here’s how:
- Take Small Steps Toward Change
- Support women-led businesses, podcasts, and initiatives.
- Advocate for pay equity, flexible work environments, and parental leave policies in your workplace.
- Mentor, encourage, and uplift younger women in your field.
- Drive Positive Change in Your Community
- Get involved in local organizations that champion women’s empowerment.
- Create spaces, both online and offline, where women feel heard, supported, and included.
- Start conversations that challenge outdated norms and encourage progress.
- Overcome Gender-Specific Challenges & Own Your Mission
- Imposter syndrome, societal pressures, and traditional gender roles still hold many women back.
- Remind yourself that your voice, ideas, and leadership matter.
- Advocate for yourself. Ask for the raise. Take up space. Challenge the status quo.
- Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
- Growth happens when we take risks and open ourselves up to opportunities we once thought were out of reach.
- Say yes to the speaking engagement. Start the business. Apply for the leadership role.
- You don’t have to be “ready” to take the next step, just willing to learn as you go.
- Work Towards Building a Better Society Powered by Equity & Inclusion
- True progress means recognizing that women’s rights are human rights and that inclusion benefits everyone.
- This means amplifying marginalized voices, standing up for underrepresented women, and challenging the systems that still hold so many back.
- It’s about creating a future where women no longer have to fight for a seat at the table they are leading it.
This month, I encourage you to take a minute to reflect on the women who have impacted your life. Maybe it’s a mentor, a family member, a colleague, or a friend. Maybe it’s the women who came before us, paving the way so that we can chase our dreams today.
Who has inspired you? Who has shown you what’s possible? Let’s take this month to celebrate, honor, and uplift the women who continue to break barriers, rewrite the rules, and redefine what it means to lead.
Because every woman’s story is part of history, and every success, big or small, is worth celebrating.
Nikki Lanigan
Nikki Lanigan is a yoga, HIIT, and Barre instructor, she is also a Holistic Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Nikki is trained in Yoga Shred, Yoga Psychology, meditation, chakra balancing, and EFT/Tapping. She has done trainings with Sadie Nardini and Ashley Turner. She got her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017 at the Carrie Treister School Of Yoga. Nikki takes a holistic view of health, helping her students and clients reach a place of self-love not just through movement, but with mindset and lifestyle guidance as well. Nikki is also show prep writer for The McVay Media Show Prep and host of the podcast Fit, Fun, and Frazzled. Connect with Nikki on Instagram. www.instagram.com/nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness www.instagram.com/fitfunandfrazzledpodcast
