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Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has broken the internet as of late. The ads are everywhere, and the movie is the topic of many conversations. Without giving too much away, I wanted to highlight the movie’s important message to society. In a world full of unrealistic beauty standards where “perfection” is impossible, the satirical fiction movie paints a world where everything seems so glamorous and perfect when that is actually not the case. I watched Barbie in the theater recently. I enjoyed the one-liners and the subtle pop culture references. The biggest takeaway was: this longing for perfection in a world where perfection is impossible and where women are expected to be, act, and look a certain way according to patriarchal society. Now, it can be easy to blame and point figures at the cause of this societal issue, but there is no one cause. There are multiple factors contributing to these unachievable expectations. Additionally, every person faces some degree of adversity in this society (the degree can ultimately vary). I saw the point Gerwig was trying to make. She intentionally used the main character, Barbie, to show that even those who seemingly meet idealized beauty standards have insecurities and problems of their own. One of the most thoughtful and impactful moments of the movie was a monologue by Gloria, played by America Ferrera . Here is the monologue : It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong. You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining. You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard! It's too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault. I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know. This speaks for itself. Gloria says the monologue when talking to Barbie ( Margot Robbie ) when she is down and doubting herself. Barbie was supposed to represent women and who they can be— Nobel Prize recipients, presidents, doctors. Most of all, the movie is trying to convey that they can be human. The movie and its impactful monologue show the plethora of pressures put on women, emphasizing why women should not try to conform to unrealistic standards. We can be what we dream of being. Your imagination can run wild now, just as it did when you were playing Barbies as a kid. Emma Bathurst The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business | Moody College of Communication emmabathurst@utexas.edu | emmabathurst8@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmabathurst/

Hello W.I.N. Community! My name is Divya and I am so excited to be a part of this amazing organization and interact with you all! I recently joined W.I.N. as a marketing intern and wanted to share a bit about myself! I am originally from California (the Bay Area) and currently here for the summer. I will be an incoming junior at Purdue University, but am actually hoping to graduate a year early to get a headstart on my career and maybe grad school (fingers crossed!). At Purdue, I am majoring in Brain & Behavioral Science, minoring in Design & Innovation, and pursuing a minor in the Applications of Data Science (it’s a very exhaustive list, I know!). I chose this degree plan because I am intrigued in the intersection of cognitive science and technology, and how it can be applied to provide innovative solutions in the workplace. This summer, I was searching for a valuable opportunity that will allow me to expand my skills and learn from business professionals and this position at W.I.N stood out to me in particular. I feel that W.I.N.’s goals and mission to support women in their career journey aligns with my personal values and interests. As a woman of color in STEM, I have noticed that the field is very male-dominated, which makes it difficult for women like me to feel comfortable and feel that what they have to say is not important enough. Earlier this summer, I attended TiEcon 2023, which is known as one of the largest technology conferences designed by Silicon Valley leaders. Right off the bat, I noticed that most of the speakers and attendees of the conference were men. At the end of one of the panels, there was a Q&A session, and a speaker asked if they could get a woman to ask a question since all the past questions were asked by men. I was a lot younger and less experienced than everyone else, so I felt especially intimidated to ask a question and hoped another woman would step up to the plate. My male friend who I went to the conference with was sitting next to me and encouraged me to stand up. I thought of a question to ask, but decided to keep quiet because I felt that it was dumb. Some time passed and everyone was silent. Suddenly, someone stood up, which caught the attention of the person passing the mic around. I looked over in curiosity and saw a man standing up. “I’m not a woman, but I have long hair, so I can kind of pass off as one,” he said, causing everyone to chuckle. As he was asking his question, I frowned and whispered back to my friend, “Maybe I should’ve asked my question. I don’t know why I was second-guessing myself.” Later, at another speaker event, the CEO of NextDoor, Sarah Friar, described her journey of reaching this high position as a female entrepreneur. I have always been passionate about becoming successful in the workplace, but this brought a recent surge of inspiration to stand up and make a difference. By being involved in the W.I.N. community, I am positive I will have access to valuable resources and meet ambitious people so that I can achieve this goal. The opportunity to learn from accomplished women leaders, gain hands-on experience, and participate in empowering initiatives fills me with both anticipation and gratitude. I am committed to making the most of this internship, pushing my boundaries, and acquiring the skills necessary to become a successful advocate for positive change and equity in the workplace. I am so beyond thrilled to be a part of this community, where we can uplift, empower, and inspire one another. Looking forward to meeting with you all and learning from each other! With immense appreciation and excitement, Divya Sarkar Email: divyasarkar123@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-sarkar-910b681b0/ Purdue University: sarkar42@purdue.edu

As a woman in STEM myself, I have noticed several issues in this domain. While progress has been made to promote gender equality in these fields, there are still significant barriers that women encounter, which I will be debriefing in this blog post. For one, there is underrepresentation and sometimes a lack of representation for women in STEM fields, which can cause a sense of isolation and discourage women from pursuing such careers. Without prominent role models, it can be challenging for young girls and women to envision themselves succeeding in STEM. Furthermore, w omen may have limited access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities compared to their male counterparts. This disparity can hinder their professional growth and development within the STEM field. Source: Commercial Cafe Balancing family responsibilities with demanding STEM careers can be especially challenging for women. Although as a society, we are moving away from gender roles, they still do exist. Women are still expected to be the main caregivers for their children and to do more work for the household, such as grocery shopping and cooking. Long hours and inflexible work arrangements in certain STEM industries can make it difficult for women to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Some STEM workplaces can be unwelcoming or even hostile towards women, leading to lower job satisfaction and higher attrition rates. Experiences of harassment and discrimination can further deter women from pursuing or staying in STEM careers. Additionally, women can face implicit or explicit bias and stereotypes that perpetuate the belief that certain STEM fields are better suited for men. These biases can affect hiring decisions, opportunities for advancement, and the perception of women's abilities in technical roles. In the case of female scientists and researchers, they may encounter biases in academic settings, affecting their chances of obtaining funding, publishing research, or achieving leadership roles. Source: Adobe Stock Many men feel threatened by or look down on female bosses. According to polls conducted by Gallup, men prefer male over female bosses. The main reason there is a lack of women representation in the workplace is because there is a lack of powerful female leaders at the top, which means there isn't anyone to encourage, support and mentor women who have just started working. In order to have more representation and make advancements, we must make efforts to push women up and help them climb the ladder to the top in workplaces. We must ensure that they have access to valuable resources and tools so that they can succeed and make a positive impact. And when it comes to work-life balances and hostile environments, workplaces must to be understanding and there should be mandatory training regarding harassment and unfair treatment, so that this behavior can be corrected. Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort from society, educational institutions, and employers to promote diversity and inclusion, provide equal opportunities, and challenge existing biases and stereotypes within STEM fields. Supporting and empowering women in STEM can lead to a more diverse and innovative workforce that benefits everyone. Divya Sarkar Email: divyasarkar123@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-sarkar-910b681b0/ Purdue University: sarkar42@purdue.edu

A mentor is defined as an experienced and trusted advisor. Mentors are important in the workplace because they help and guide others during their career journey. They can use their valuable expertise and insights to help you acquire knowledge and skills faster than you might on your own. Not only that but they often have a wide network of contacts, which can provide you with beneficial connections and opportunities. By being introduced to professionals in your field, potential collaborators, and other mentees, you expand your network and advance your career. Having a mentor who believes in your potential and provides positive reinforcement can boost your self-confidence and motivation. While mentors help with confidence, they also help with accountability. They can hold you accountable for your actions and goals. The knowledge that you have someone to report progress to can keep you motivated and on track. A mentor can offer fresh perspectives on your ideas and challenges based on their own experiences. As a result, you can learn from a mentor's mistakes and experiences can help you avoid making the same errors. This can save you time, effort, and potential setbacks in your journey. As I mentioned in my previous post, the main reason there is a lack of women representation in the workplace is because there is a lack of powerful female leaders at the top, which means there isn't anyone to encourage, support and mentor women who have just started working. Since they have been historically underrepresented in the workplace, mentorship is essential for women to succeed. Mentorship provides guidance, skill-building, and networking opportunities that help women break through barriers and advance in their careers. My previous post covered how women often face unique challenges in balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities. A mentor who has successfully navigated these challenges can offer insights, strategies, and support for achieving work-life balance. When it comes to gender biases and stereotypes, a mentor can give advice on how to navigate complex workplace dynamics, address discrimination, and effectively communicate in various professional contexts. They can also provide encouragement, positive feedback, and strategies for overcoming self-doubt, helping women build the confidence necessary to pursue leadership roles. Overall, mentorship is key, especially for women, to succeed in the workplace because it helps them develop the skills, confidence, and support network necessary to thrive in their careers and contribute effectively to their companies. Divya Sarkar Email: divyasarkar123@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-sarkar-910b681b0/ Purdue University: sarkar42@purdue.edu

During 2020, the Covid pandemic has significantly effected everyone in one way or another. In a Boston College study , women experienced more than 55% of job losses during the pandemic. More women were getting laid off compared to men as women felt more of the burden to stay home to take care of their children. Women to began to start their own businesses as they were determined to make their income from the convenience of their own home. Starting a business had it’s benefits as they were also able to choose their own hours to have a flexible schedule while attending to their children’s needs. As I was a student during the time of the pandemic, I was home with lots of freetime. As the months at home went by, I’d spend more time on TikTok. As I scrolled I began to see a TikTok video of a female entrepreneur selling bracelets. The video immediately drew my attention because I love jewelry. As I further looked into the woman’s account I saw she was a mother of young children that lost her job during the pandemic. She had the idea to start a jewelry business to due to her creativity and dedication to support her children in any way she could during these tough times. I was really inspired by her story and ordered bracelets for myself. They arrived fairly quick and arrived in cute packaging. I absolutely loved them. I began to promote her business to my family and friends in hopes to get the word across and give this woman more business. Overtime, I saw her business began to grow as she gained more followers and views. Social media has contributed greatly to the success of new women entrepreneurs attempting to start their own business. I felt honored that I contributed to the woman’s success. I was glad I was able to support a woman going through a hard time as I hope others will do the same to me if I am struggling. It is essential to continue to encourage and empower each other as much as we can during the good and bad times. Katelyn Davanzo University of Delaware kdavanzo@udel.edu https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyndavanzo/

I begged my mom to put me in violin lessons when I was nine. She found a local music teacher who would teach me how to play. Over the years, I would visit Miss Kim once a week for music lessons on the violin and eventually on the guitar and piano too. I quickly learned how to read music which helped me tremendously when it came time to join the band in the sixth grade. Practicing every morning before school was an escape from the gym where students would wait in the mornings before school started. Maybe I was antisocial or really passionate about the saxophone at the time. Either way, I used music to escape to my own little world where it was just me against myself. I have long used music as a way to connect with others. It tends to bring out the best in people. Everyone is so passionate about what they listen to or what they play (if they play an instrument). Music gives people a way to express themselves. How do people utilize music to make the most of their situation? Notice the people working out in the gym, walking in the streets, or studying in the library. Do they have headphones on? In all these situations music is a key part of the experience. Music helps people focus, escape, or to get pumped up, and it can improve one’s mood, enabling them to feel relieved and happy. Listening to music can be a great distraction or focus tool when you are getting nervous for an upcoming presentation, getting pumped up for a sports game, and getting in the right mindset for another day of work. The way in which we use our resources around us can change our perspective of the world and allow us to feel emotions. Ads and movies use music to enhance the plot and get the audience to feel a certain emotion. Music can be an escape for many. I encourage you to reflect on your music taste and how it influences you. Does it bring you joy? Calmness? Empowerment? How can you use music to enhance your business endeavors? Emma Bathurst The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business | Moody College of Communication emmabathurst@utexas.edu | emmabathurst8@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmabathurst/

On June 1st, we began our Reading Challenge for the W.I.N. Community Members to level up in areas of Professional Development! Did you know the average CEO reads 60-100 books a year? How many have you read this year? We’ll wait… Since the W.I.N. Community is all about growth, support, development, and authenticity, we are doing our first challenge for our WIN Members in August! Every month we are going to dig into a new read. That’s 6 books in 6 months. Feel free to do more, but for now, let’s start here! Check out the books we selected for you to WIN 🥇 June - ✅ comment *completed if you read July - ✅ comment *completed if you read August - The Secret - Rhonda Byrne September - Think like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO - Beverly E. Jones October - The Power of NOW - Eckhart Tolle November - The 80/20 Principle - Richard Koch December - Think & Grow RIch - Napoleon Hill WIN Reads Challenge book list with clickable links

Can women actually get along and work together while being in the same industry? This is a topic that can be debated by many. In a stereotypical world, some tend to believe woman are more difficult to get along or work with. There are many misconceptions that women gossip or feel envious towards each other leading them to be more competitive. A Harvard study has shown that women are more likely to collaborate with others. Women are more inclined to care for the collective . It is found that most women believe in the idea of being a good team player and assisting all of their colleagues to help them get their work done. In my personal experience as a college student, I have found that myself along with the other women I have worked with in a group setting tended to be more willing to take the initiative to collaborate with others. I found that some of the guys we would work with were more likely to slack off or wait until myself or my other female group member assigned them a task to complete. It seemed as though we put more effort into completing the task in a timely manner as we have other responsibilities to take care of. While the men did not feel any rush to get the tasks done. In the majority of my group work experience either myself or another woman tend to be the glue of the group. So in fact, women can work effectively and efficiently amongst each other. I feel more confident working with another female as I know we will be able to empower one another and have the potential to build a new relationship. In life this is important for us all in order to become successful and grow. In the workplace especially, woman should be building each other up, not down as we are all trying to navigate the business world in once known men dominated field. Katelyn Davanzo kdavanzo@udel.edu https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyndavanzo/

Competition can be good—great even. When trying to write a big report to get your company ahead with investors or trying to establish a good relationship with clients, competition can come in handy. But it has to be healthy. In my personal life, competition has been a recurring theme. You are competing to get a certain class rank, to clutch the state title in your sport, and to win your parents’ favor in liking your new partner. A little friendly competition never hurts, they say. It is when it becomes all-consuming that becomes a problem. I have long believed that you are your biggest competitor. I went through a time in my life where it consumed every part of me that I had to abandon doing some of the things I loved in order to get back on track. It took a lot of time and growing up, but I grew immensely in confidence and ability. I am my biggest competitor, advocate, and cheerleader. Changing your perspective to worry only about yourself, your actions, and your feelings is relieving and life-changing. I let my biggest competitor—myself—rule until I had had enough. I challenge everyone to embrace their own competitor while allowing grace in one's life. Harnessing the power of having yourself as your only true competitor makes working with others that much easier. Too often women are put up against one another. Whether it is on purpose or not, it can be harmful. We are forced to compete when we should be working together and empowering one another. It is important that we work together to be more efficient and more powerful than ever, especially in the world of business. There are more women CEOs now than ever before, but there are still not enough. When a woman in business wins, it is a win for every woman in business. So, we need to stick together and only compete with ourselves, empowering one another in the process. Emma Bathurst The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business | Moody College of Communication emmabathurst@utexas.edu | emmabathurst8@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmabathurst/

One conflict that I have seen effect women in business is having an inadequate support system in a particular company. I have seen this unfortunate situation happen first hand through my cousin as she began to navigate through the business world herself. Starting out, she began to notice her company was ran by men predominantly in higher executive type positions. As she started her first few weeks, she found it difficult to communicate and establish relationships with various coworkers some of whom she was working on projects with. As many of her co-workers were men, while working on projects she felt as though no one wanted to take her as seriously. As she gave her input on certain ideas, her other colleagues seemed disengaged. No one seemed to listen to her and she did not feel heard. As other new and existing male employees suggested ideas, they had everyone's attention. The other employees always respected what the men had to say and what they wanted to do. As the months went by she realized other employees that were also new were starting to form relationship with each other. She felt discouraged and left out. She knew that starting a new position could be challenging as she was new to the workforce but she did not expect it to be like this. She considered herself completely alone with no support. She was being ignored and it was hard to even decipher if she was performing well at her job. She began to realize more that this is not the work environment she wanted to belong to. She needed some sort of support system or positive influences in her life day to day life while navigating the business world. She started to apply for a position with various companies. After a few weeks of applying, the wait was worth it. She secured a job and immediately after starting she could feel a difference in the work environment. As there was more of a mix between men and women, she noticed others listened to her more to her ideas and felt more of an important attribute to her new company. It is crucial for not just select companies but all companies to step up to the plate and provide women with more opportunities to be a leader. As the years have progressed, there is increasingly more women in business. If businesses actually want to ensure women will stay, they need to provide the proper tools and resources for them. Workplaces must be dedicated to make these adjustments. It may even require some companies to change the way the go about running their business or require more training programs. Employees should know how to respect all of their colleagues. If companies want more women on board they need to build an environment where they feel comfortable while ensuring they have the ability to grow and become successful. Katelyn Davanzo kdavanzo@udel.edu https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyndavanzo/

I like the underdog. I enjoy rooting for the underdog in March Madness and in music festivals. At times, I even like being the underdog. I joined the band in the sixth grade. I was put on an instrument with very few girls in the section. One could argue that position put me at underdog status. Ironically, however, I remember feeling a sense of empowerment being one of the only girls in the saxophone section. As I became a middle schooler, then a high schooler, I used my “ underdog ” status to hone my abilities. I would practice in the mornings and late at night (sorry, Mom and Dad) so that I would be taken seriously by my peers, teachers, and community. A male-dominated environment demands a greater effort to navigate stereotypes and bias. So, I adapted. And in doing so I found my voice and grew with confidence. I befriended younger and older peers, became first chair, and led the band as drum major. Now, as a college-aged student, I am faced with similar circumstances in the world of business. To overcome obstacles, I seek opportunities and mentorship from others with a range of backgrounds and experiences. I like the underdog stories. I like hearing of overcoming adversity. My experience and the experiences and stories of others empower me further as I navigate the business world. As a woman, breaking into the business world full of men can make one feel like an underdog. Some people may take one step, while you have to take two or three to accomplish the seemingly same distance. As women, we must capitalize our “underdog” status to empower us and empower others. Let us challenge the norm and change the narrative. Emma Bathurst The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business | Moody College of Communication emmabathurst@utexas.edu | emmabathurst8@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmabathurst/

Blog written by Allegra Jackson, Founder What is content??? Content is written and visual material. It refers to any information, material, or media that is created and shared to convey a message or provide value to an audience. It can take many forms, such as text, images, videos, audio, infographics, and more. Content is used for various purposes, including entertainment, education, marketing, and communication. In the context of content marketing, your business can create and distribute content to attract, engage, and retain your target audience, ultimately driving profitable customer actions. Valuable and relevant content is essential for building brand awareness, establishing authority, and fostering meaningful relationships with customers. Attend this workshop What is content Marketing? Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach that involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a specific target audience. The goal of content marketing is to build trust, establish brand authority, and ultimately drive profitable customer actions, such as making a purchase or subscribing to a service. The content can take various forms, including blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, social media posts, and more. It’s a powerful way for businesses to connect with their audience, provide value, and foster long-term relationships. Why is content Marketing so important? Content marketing is crucial for several reasons including Audience Engagement, Brand Awareness, Establishing Authority, Lead Generation, SEO and Organic Traffic, Customer Retention, Cost-Effectiveness, Long-term Benefits, Social Media Impact, Adaptable and Versatile. Content marketing plays a vital role in building relationships with customers, enhancing brand reputation, and driving business growth in a more sustainable and customer-centric manner. Attend this workshop We are having our next workshop on August 3 @12pm EST and for the late owls, we will be having another one late August as well (date and time is TBD). Check the website portal for details… www.wincommunity.org/becomeawinmember This workshop teaches you how to create content specifically for the target audience you are looking to reach and sell to. #networking #businessnetworking #networkingcommunity #wincommunity #womenintonetworking #community