Women have slowly been ascending the leadership ranks to the top levels of companies, organizations, and countries, becoming beacons of inspiration and change for a whole new generation. In the course of my 30+ year career in the Canadian public service, I have gone from being the only woman in the room, to representing 50% of our ambassadors abroad.

Progress varies across industries, companies, and regions. While 14.5% of the world’s leaders are women, less than one third of UN Member states have ever had a women head of state.  And in corporate America, there are still more men named John sitting around boardroom tables, than there are women. (Just let that sink in for one moment)

This is slow progress, despite a backdrop of data that tells us that when women have equal access to the economy, countries create greater wealth, the quality of life improves, companies do better when more women are at the board table, and the world is more peaceful when women are involved in peace negotiations.

That is why it is incumbent on all of us to illuminate pathways for female leadership and support women who light the way for others.  This is not just woman’s work; it is all of our work.

Dare to be the light for the women in your life, your sphere of influence, your business, or your community.  The world is riche, better and more peaceful, when women are in it.