The other day I went golfing with my husband. Not only was I allowed on the course, I was able to play golf, drive the golf cart, have an alcoholic beverage, speak to whomever I wanted, have an opinion, pay using my own credit card, and wear pants! Wow!

Now I didn’t necessarily do all those things, for example, I wore a skirt but the point is, that was my choice. I had the ability to do all of these things and the choice as to whether or not I wanted to. It’s not lost on me that in addition to the right to vote and equality in the workforce, women have not always been allowed to do many of the every day things we take for granted today – and that some still may not be able to in other cultures around the world.

Despite the now widely acceptable idea that women can do anything, women are still in the minority when it comes to holding political office in the United States. Women have only been able to vote in this country for 101 years, less than that for many women of color. There is still progress to be made, however, slowly but surely, progress IS being made.

While there are arguably more women than ever helping run our country (military as well), you can see there’s still quite a ways to go for equal representation. However, let me be clear, I don’t think we should vote for someone just because they are a woman, just like I don’t think we should vote for someone just because they are a man.  I do think that regardless of the individual politics of these women, they are still blazing the trail, and still in the minority in a country predominantly run by men.

When it comes to politics, could a man share our values and beliefs? Sure. Represent our stance on issues important to us? Absolutely. And it should go without saying that just because we’re women does not mean we all share the same values nor want the same things when it comes to how our country is run. But, I’d like to think we can still support and uplift other women in some way or another. At the very least, refrain from tearing one another down or commenting on physical appearances. Stick to the issues, but we all know politics isn’t so.

Whether you’re in politics or not, there are still many challenges facing women in the workforce. Take for example, the pay gap. Women make $0.82 for every $1 men make, while Black women and other women of color earn significantly less than that. However, according to a recent Forbes article this difference is the “raw gender pay gap”. When taking into account factors besides gender, such as education, experience, industry and location, the gender wage gap reportedly shrinks to $0.98 for every $1, just a 2% difference, as opposed to the raw 18% difference. For more on that and why that 2% still matters – like the affect of pay disparity compounded over time and job offers based on previous earnings, see the full article linked above.

Our society is realizing that the messaging we give our children regarding gender starts very young. Things previously considered ‘for girls’ or ‘for boys’ are being challenged. It’s easy to see with toys but it happens with education as well. For example, if a girl is told ‘girls aren’t good at math’, or even subtly led to believe that boys are better at math and that girls are better at reading, that can have a legitimate domino affect on her performance, chosen field of study and inevitable career path towards potentially higher paying jobs. And just as so for boys and children of different races and ethnicity.

Once they enter the workforce there are still challenges such as parental leave, subconscious bias, and more that can affect starting position and promotion opportunities – on both ends, employees and employers.

I attended a virtual panel discussion for Women’s Equality Day this year, something the panelists acknowledged hopefully won’t be needed one day. For now, it’s still important to have these conversations with one another, and men, as to how to continue moving forward and fight discrimination and sexism.

I don’t believe there is a magical way to truly ‘have it all’ and do it well – not all at the same time, not all day every day; something always has to give.

But, today and every day let’s not forget how far we’ve come. Let us be thankful to those who’ve paved the way for women in the workforce, politics, and yes, wearing pants. (I don’t know about you but I really appreciate being able to wear pants!)

Let’s strive to work together, support one another and speak up!

Seek guidance from mentors and be one to others. Ask for feedback. Network.

Give your best and don’t be shy to share your achievements.

Be brave, be bold, and take risks. That is the only way to affect change.

Let’s help one another to remember these things and to feed our minds, bodies and whole selves. Always.