Ketanji Brown Jackson. The venture capitalist funding gap. The Great Email sign off. These are just a few of the vital topics Hearst UK employees touched on at the company's first #SeatAtTheTable discussion during Women’s History Month.
On Wednesday, March 23 employees across the media house – from PR and communications, ELLE UK's editorial team, sales and commercial strategy – took part in an inspiring roundtable discussion about gender equality, and how we can get more fantastic and deserving women a seat at the ‘power table’. The event was co-hosted by ELLE UK's Editor-in-Chief Kenya Hunt and Hearst's Chief Commercial Officer Jane Wolfson.
The discussion began with each person discussing their own experiences of gender inequality in the workplace, as well as instances when they’ve felt they had to adopt ‘masculine’ behaviours in order to gain respect and climb the career ladder. Later, the conversation focussed on the sense of oscillating opportunity for career advancement, for women wanting to also have children.
Members of the ELLE UK editorial team also provided insight on its latest #FundWomen campaign, which seeks to challenge venture capitalists and the UK government to urgently improve funding for female inventors and entrepreneurs. According to research commissioned by former Chancellor Philip Hammond and undertaken by the British Business Bank together with Diversity VC and BVCA, for every £1 of venture capital investment, less than 1p goes to all-female led teams. Meanwhile, all-male founder teams receive 89p and mixed-gender teams acquire the remaining 10p.
The event took place at a poignant moment in history. This week, Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson faces questioning from senators on the Judiciary Committee during her confirmation hearings. The former federal public defender is the first Black woman nominated for a seat on the Court, and, if appointed, would become the first nominee of a Democratic president (President Biden) to be confirmed to the Court since Elena Kagan in 2010.
Earlier this month, Hearst launched its #SeatAtTheTable project, which aims to bring together women from more than 100 countries to converse and collaborate on what’s needed to eradicate gender inequality in and outside of the workplace.
On the same day as Hearst UK's event, The Female Quotient, NBCUniversal, The Female Lead, and ELLE magazine USA hosted female leaders from across industries at an in-person gathering in New York City, including the likes of Olympian Lisa Leslie, make-up artist Bobbi Brown and model Brooke Shields.
#SeatAtTheTable is encouraging women around the world to self-organise their own gatherings to advance the conversation around gender equality. You can sign up here to receive a hosting guide, conversation starters, and additional ways to engage in this discussion online.
27 Of Our Favourite Outspoken Feminist Celebrities, From Beyoncé To Emma Watson
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
