Why My Company Declared International Women’s Day a Paid Holiday
And Why Yours Should Too.
Yup. This is my company. Yes Exactly, Inc.
With of all the coverage International Women’s Day got in 2017, I hope I was not the only CEO making the decision to observe a paid holiday on Wednesday, March 8.
I had to put some thought into it, to be honest. Our core team is small and the financial outlay is real. But if there ever was a time, it’s now.
A year ago on this day, I wrote an essay about feminism. This year, I wanted to do something concrete and tangible. I also wanted to look past labels and reach out to those women who do not consider themselves feminists. I felt that as an organization, we could express our deep gratitude for the contributions of every woman, paid or unpaid, in every country and culture.
I took the time on social media to publicly acknowledge and thank 19 women who over the course of six and a half years have been vital to our survival as a company — as team members, investors, interns, and friends.
Our company was still reachable by phone or email for server outages or other emergencies, the same as on holidays or weekends. There were no significant effects for current customers. It’s not quite the same as going on strike. But it was more than a symbolic action.
International Women’s Day gives us a space to celebrate, remember, and honor the contributions of women — not just individually, but also collectively. Even as social media surrounds us with headlines about systemic harassment and gender bias in the workplace,
Celebrating March 8 as a paid holiday
- Sends a clear signal that your organization has zero tolerance for sexist attitudes, 365 days a year.
- Equally important, it demonstrates that empowering women is not not a zero sum game. Whether we’re taking the day off to spend time with our families, bond with our cats, or play ultimate frisbee, everyone can enjoy this holiday.
- Think it’s expensive? If this holiday prevents just one lawsuit or keeps one rockstar working parent from quitting, the day has paid for itself.
Women have so much more power than we realize.
We just need to claim it. How can we stake that claim? With support, love, and helping hands from other women. That is the only way.
It won’t happen overnight. There are no band-aid solutions to complex problems. But there are actions that will have an immediate and lasting impact. Recognizing International Women’s Day is one such action.
So next year, why not take the leap? Celebrate this very special day, and the half of humanity for which it stands.
Google and Apple, I’m looking at you.
Tess Gadwa
CEO, Yes Exactly
