In recognition of International Women’s Day, Sanicle and WHOW Organization held a special roundtable style panel discussion on equality with gender and race and equity. This was a lively and informative discussion held at Central Library in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over 20 Individuals also attended to watch in person on March 8. In partnership with Walmart, Sanicle and WHOW (Women Helping Other Women), this annual event celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world and serves as a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Our panel of eight creatives discussed the barriers women face in achieving equality and ways we can work together to overcome them. There were also vending and networking opportunities.
The top questions of the night were
What does equity mean to you?
Ray’Chel Wilson of Raise the Bar Investments said, “it’s equitable because it’s giving underrepresented groups, disadvantaged groups, oftentimes groups that are discriminated against what they need to be successful. And sometimes to be successful you have to be liberated too, so I think equity and liberation are good cousins.”
Sandra Tolliver of Tolliver Law said, “I have a rule in my practice of being nonjudgmental, so whoever walks in the door, I’m not going to judge them for what their color is, their religion, their ethnicity”.
What does empowering yourself mean to you?
“I empower myself in education. I feel like education is the one thing that anyone can ever take from you. Once you have it in your head, it’s yours forever” said Abi Bermudez of Abundance Beyond Financial
Hannah Lee of Mon Amie Nails and Spa said, “Empowering myself is, first of all, investing in knowledge for myself and investing in my self-care and I end up showing respect to others’ opinions.”
How do you motivate yourself?
Walela Knight of Native Americans and Progress said,
“It’s ok for people not to like you. It’s ok for us not to be friends.”
“You can do it. You don’t have to be afraid. You are a woman. You are empowered. You can do anything,” said Shazia Rizwanzls of Shay’s Threading and Beauty Salon.
What ethnicity do you identify as?
“I was born In Montego Bay, Jamaica. We came here when I was eight years old and I identify as Caribbean American. I did grow up here, and I identify with being an American,” said Roxanne Stewart of Sanicle
“I identify as a black woman because I’m in the United States. But I am African and Native American with family members that are Irish, Hispanic, and French,” said Crystal Ifekoya of WHOW Organization.
How will you embrace equity?
Follow Sanicle on Social Media @sanicle.us
Watch the live stream replay https://bit.ly/whowsanicleiwd
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About Sanicle, a femtech startup dedicated to breaking the cycle of period poverty by fostering understanding and trusting environments.
About International Women’s Day:
An annual international campaign celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality celebrating women’s achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality.
About Women Helping Other Women:
A nonprofit organization creating an atmosphere of belonging regardless of race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience by empowering women to advance in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.