Slowly but surely, gender-specific roles are becoming irrelevant in today’s modern society. In 2019, approximately 29% of senior management roles are held by women, the highest number ever recorded. As history has shown, women make to be impactful leaders, changing the norms of the past. In fact, they are also essential in the push toward a variety of innovative, inclusive, and morally centered policy ideas.
Leaders like New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern prove that women can generally better handle conflictual and multifaceted situations. On March 23, a month after the country had recorded its first case, New Zealand committed to the elimination strategy. A few days later, Ardern announced a strict national lockdown when it only had 102 cases and zero deaths. Her swift decision making won international praise, including from the World Health Organization(WHO).
Women are more willing to embrace complex solutions, reflecting their greater experience with contradictory roles and expectations. But some people may see these modes as embedded in inherent female nature. However, others may believe that these more “feminine modes” are being led by women’s socialization and life experiences. Nevertheless, everyone agrees that these qualities are of both women and men leaders.
Let us see which women and queer leaders are making the hugest difference in the world and how.
Danica Roem – Transwoman Leader
Image Courtesy: wikipedia.org
Danica Roem brings diversity to America’s Government as the first openly transgender woman who was elected to serve in the U.S. state legislature. She, as a queer leader, constantly demonstrates to the people across the country that members of the LGBTQ community can win in life because they are civically minded like everyone else. She is one of the leaders who represent the cause that the issues of the community are unique.
“Danica Roem is making history, becoming the longest-serving and first openly transgender elected official to be re-elected in our nation’s history. Throughout her tenure in the House of Delegates,Roem witnessed hateful and divisive attacks from anti-LGBTQ groups and her opponents. However, she remains focused on the needs of her constituents ”
-Alphonso David, Human Rights Campaign President
Angela Merkel – The Fighter
Image Courtesy: csmonitor.com
Angela Merkel is the first woman Chancellor of Germany. She came to power in 2005 and is currently serving her fourth consecutive term. She remains to be the de facto leader of Europe as she is leading the region’s largest economy. In 2015, Merkel was named ‘Person of the Year’ by TIME magazine. She steers Germany through financial crisis and back to growth. A woman, a world leader, and an advocate for climate change resolutions, she continues to inspire not only young girls but people throughout the world. One can learn from her steadfast views and strong character. Addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic, she addressed her country in a matter-of-fact and calm, reasoning manner rather than rousing, creating a message that hit home. This is definitely unlike the male counterparts who give scaring and panic-generating responses to address their people.
“You could certainly say that I’ve never underestimated myself, there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious.”
– Angela Merkel
Christine Lagard
Image Courtesy: hbr.org
Christine Lagard is the first woman to head the European Central Bank on November 1, 2019. Lagard took on several positions throughout her career including partnership, managing partnership, membership to executive committees, the role of chairperson of the executive committee, and chairperson of the global strategic committee in Baker & McKenzie. Also, She took upon the role the deputy minister of foreign trade in France at first and then the minister of finance in 2007. Moreover, Christine Lagarde was elected as the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the first woman to hold this position.
I have a theory that women are generally given space and appointed to jobs when the situation is tough. I’ve observed that in many instances. Moreover, Women leaders step in to sort out mess, face difficult issues and in circumstances involving restoring the situations.
-Christine Lagard
Mahdia Lynn – One of the Finest Leaders of the Queer Community
Image Courtesy: everyoneisgay.com
Mahdia Lynn is the founder and Executive Director of Masjid al-Rabia—a women-centered, LGBTQ affirming, a pluralist mosque in Chicago—where she spearheads unprecedented programming in support of marginalized Muslims. She is a disabled bisexual transgender woman herself. Therefore, she understands and works towards the welfare of the minority segments like no other. Her prolific career as a community organizer and queer leader has centered transgender liberation, disability justice, prison abolition, and youth suicide prevention. Subsequently, Programs such as the Black and Pink Crescent program are providing services for hundreds of incarcerated LGBTQ Muslims across the globe.
“When trans people stand up and assert ourselves we can risk abuse, ex-communication, violence or worse. As a result, Many people can’t come out of the closet or assert their rights because they stand to lose everything in the process. Finally, Ask yourself, “What do I have to lose by standing up for trans people?” Remember that “being an ally” is something you do, not something you are.”
-Mahdia Lynn
Did you know that @MahdiaLynn and other leaders of @masjidalrabia created the Black and Pink Crescent, a prison ministry and outreach program for LGBTQ+ Muslims that is the only of its kind in the world? https://t.co/krj58ae4wZ
In 2008, she was elected as secretary of state of Oregon, U.S.A. as the first openly LGBTQ person. Kate Brown, in 2016, was appointed as the governor of Oregon as the first openly LGBTQ person. As a queer leader believes very strongly that by having a diversity of voices at the leadership table. Not only that, She works toward making public policies more reflective and more respectful. In addition, she continuously uses the voice and her experiences as a member of the LGBT community.
“I have watched the feminist movement ebb and flow over time. We have taken steps forward, and we have had to take steps back. Hence, I am and will continue to fight for LGBTQ equality in this state. In the end, we will continue to move forward, and we will continue to move in the direction of justice and equality.”
Fifty Shades of Gay believes in a fair and equal India where everyone can achieve their full potential, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.
