The Female Quotient

Naomi Osaka is BACK at the US Open for the first time since her maternity leave. And the tennis superstar is proving she’s just like any other mom out there juggling—and savoring—it all. 🫶

At the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, The Female Quotient took the fast track to drive equality forward—literally. The FQ’s rose gold car was a powerful symbol of our commitment with Formula 1 Academy to accelerate change in motorsports and inspire the next generation of women to see themselves behind the wheel. If you aren’t familiar, #F1Academy was founded by #Formula1 to propel female drivers in their motorsport careers. And it’s a savvy business move: 40% of #F1 fans are women, contributing to a total 2022 season viewership of over 1.5bn! And it’s not only female drivers - it’s the entire ecosystem around racing. One powerful example? Cisco brought their Networking Academy students who were all aspiring engineers or #STEM majors. They hosted these young women at the #DutchGP to get them excited about all of the possibilities in STEM - from the mechanics to engineers who are crucial in motorsports. #Motorsports have long been dominated by men, but that’s changing. Our F1 Academy driver, the incredible Nina Gademan, didn’t just go for gold—she went for *rose gold*, achieving the highest-scoring wildcard finish in F1 Academy history 🔥

Borrow some inspiration from women who prove that pursuing your dream has no age limit and no time limit. ✨

Their on-court battles are the stuff of legend, and their friendship off the court is one of deep understanding. Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova first met as teenagers in 1973, became friends, and then split apart as each rose to No. 1. Yet they always came back to each other. After a 15-year rivalry, they left their careers with 18 Grand Slam victories each. They faced each other in over 80 matches - 60 of them finals. “We were the last two left standing,” Evert says. “… I saw her at her highest and at her lowest. And I think because we saw each other that way, the vulnerable part, that’s another level of #friendship.” Their friendship, through many ups and downs, has now spanned over 50 years. They’ve supported each other through battles with cancer. Evert shared, “With all the experiences we had, winning and losing and comforting each other, I think we ended up having more compassion for each other than anybody in the world could have.” When women support women, we’re unstoppable!

No earring was found, but a moment of pure humanity was revealed. A win is a win. 😌 🎥 @themainenanny via Instagram

Sümeyye Boyacı is a Turkish Paralympic swimmer who competes in freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke events—even though she was born with no arms. She does this by focusing on what she *can* do. She’s secured silver and gold medals, becoming the world champion in the World Paralympic Swimming Championships in 2022. She’s proven time and time again just what’s possible. "There is sweat, tears, and injuries in this journey. But there is always hope. Even when I lose, my true success is that I love this job as much as the first day and that I can continue on my way,” Boyacı shared. 🎥 @paralympics

Overheard @ the #EqualityLounge in #CannesLions2024: Lindsey Abramo, CEO of World of Good Brands, shared a powerful insight. In our conversation about bold leadership, Lindsey emphasized the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset while navigating today’s ever-changing market. If you missed the conversation, catch the replay here: https://lnkd.in/guuPrSQM • Amber Coleman-Mortley, Sr. Director, Community and Culture, The Female Quotient • Gina Cavallo, Chief Revenue Officer, Audigent • Lindsey Abramo, CEO, World of Good Brands • Kya Sainsbury-Carter, CVP, Microsoft Advertising • Mary Ann Packo, CEO, North America, Ipsos

Trust employees to manage their time and workload? FINE! Managers, tell us what you think. Do you require your employees to provide reasons when running late or out sick? Why or why not? 👉 Brigette Hyacinth

“We should change laws that diminish women, but changing mindsets is even more important. We should enact policies that support women. But changing cultural attitudes is even more important.” According to Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozie Adiche, when the same behaviors and characteristics are judged differently, based on whether you’re a man or a woman, a few key changes need to happen. Let’s collectively shift our mindsets and attitudes toward equality and fairness, and away from deep-seated unconscious biases that hold women back.

PSA: calling women in power by their first names, rather than their last names, only widens the gender gap. Studies show individuals are twice as likely to refer to a man in power by his last name, versus a woman. This seemingly small nuance actually affects judgements of eminence, deeming those who are referred by last name with more eminence and therefore, more deserving of recognition. Typically, referring to someone by their last name denotes a position of power. Think of famous male writers, politicians, or scientists: Shakespeare, Lincoln, or Einstein. The convention goes away when you think of women in similar positions of influence and power: Jane Auston, Jane Goodall, and Kamala Harris, for example. It reflects different attitudes toward men and women, and a big part of gender equality is addressing these societal norms that move us closer to treating men and women equally. It’s all part of the bigger picture. 🎥 @etymologynerd via Instagram