Today, my son asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks. As we talked about the transition from February as Black History Month to March as Women’s History Month, he said, “Do you feel double celebrated or double troubled?”
When I asked him what he meant, he replied with those words above. I am not often without words, but in that moment, I had none.
I have spoken before about this intersection and the “double bind” it creates, but hearing it named so clearly by a Gen Z voice made me pause. The 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, was ratified in 1865, 161 years ago, and yet the weight of race is still palpable in how opportunity is accessed and how leadership is perceived. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920, opening civic participation to women just over a century ago, and yet gender still shapes how competence and credibility are judged.
Yes, there are undeniably more doors open to women than there were 100 years ago. But my son’s question reminds me that policy progress does not automatically translate into perception.
So as we move through these months of recognition, my ask is simple: let this not be a seasonal reflection but a sustained commitment. For every generation, there is a role to play. Begin with examining our own biases, listening without defensiveness, using our influence to open doors, and choosing allyship that shows up in policies, pay, promotions, and everyday interactions.
If my son can see the double bind, then surely we can all choose to see, support, and stand beside the women who carry it. I am asking everyone who reads this to take one concrete step to uplift women, by advocating for one, investing in one, making room for one, and letting our actions reflect the equity and honor ALL women are owed.