The Female Quotient

Cooking with gas? Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health are reporting that women are disproportionately affected by harmful fumes from gas stoves and ovens because they simply cook more. Think: respiratory issues like asthma. In fact, one 2022 survey found that globally women cooked more than twice as many meals as men. “Women are both exposed to cleaning products, which can have negative impacts on your immune system and your respiratory health and then they’re also being exposed to the cooking fumes from gas stoves. That’s compounding the health impacts,” shared Mary Margaret Johnson, principal research scientist in Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Department of Environmental Health.

“That’s what girls have to think about all the time.” 👏 Actress Saoirse Ronan spoke out on ‘The Graham Norton Show,’ spotlighting the dark reality of violence against women after a joke about self-defense was made. Safety isn’t a joke; it’s a basic right.

Chelsea Handler is here to remind women that they are worthy before and after having children… or as is her case, if they never plan to have children. That’s *okay* too! After all, motherhood or a child-free journey are both options that can hold so much joy and meaning.💡 Let’s respect women’s decisions that are so uniquely right for *them*.

Did you know that over 1.5 billion women are suffering from women’s health issues, yet many accept this suffering as a “normal” part of being a woman? That’s nearly 1 in 2 women. It’s time for a change. We’re proud to be a part of Bayer’s #AnythingButNormal movement – to shine a light on what “normal” really looks like in women’s health. To raise awareness and advocate for women’s health education, we’re painting one of our lips. Grab your boldest lipstick, paint one of your lips, and post your own selfie using the hashtags #AnythingButNormal #1in2Challenge. #InitiatedByBayer #womenbybayer

This beautiful expression conveys an accepting approach to autism, emphasizing that everyone experiences life at their own pace with their own unique perspective. It embodies the Māori commitment to honoring diversity and individual differences, encouraging an understanding of neurodiversity that goes beyond a deficit-based view, focusing instead on inclusion and respect for each person’s distinct way of being. And yet only 7% of companies globally have neurodiversity recruiting plans in place. The current workplace is not set up for the neurodiverse to succeed, and they often encounter bias from others who dismiss them because they don’t follow the norm. This is a huge opportunity for companies, because when the neurodiverse are aligned with jobs they are most qualified for–they outperform their peers. Embracing neurodiversity in the workplace is not just a matter of inclusivity; it's a strategic advantage. Companies that foster a neurodiverse environment, appreciating the unique perspectives and talents of individuals with diverse neurological conditions, are often more innovative and creative.

Justine Lupe’s personal experience is flipping the script—this historically, and unfortunately, true narrative is indeed shifting. While on set for “Nobody Wants This”, she shared how her castmates and crew went above and beyond to make her comfortable while filming—yep, pregnant! Pregnancy does affect women, physically and mentally (duh!) but it doesn’t have to mean their careers come to a screeching halt during or after.

Traditions following "I do" continue to shift. A recent report by The Female Quotient, along with The Knot and SmithGeiger Group, shows that 77% of married women still take their partner’s last name, but among unmarried women, only 64% plan to follow this tradition when they marry. This shift signals a growing awareness of the impact that names have on personal identity and professional recognition. Hannah Bronfman, Founder of Pres10 Ventures, kept her last name when she married —and she has several reasons why, all of which prove that some modern-day brides are straying from age-old marital traditions and creating new ones. “I think we are here to be who we want to be, have the relationships we want to have, and I think everyone’s entitled to do what they want to do.” 👏 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gdUavhhM

$10.8 trillion – the total earnings of women's unpaid care work as reported by Oxfam. $1.5 trillion alone in the United States according to an analysis by the New York Times. (And that's if they're only making minimum wage). Domestic labor is labor – full stop. @everodsky, author of "Fair Play" says the solution can come from "recognizing how important care and housework are to the functioning of our society — and having men do it, too." Where to start? Have the conversation. ✍🏼: @vulgadrawings via Instagram

The Female Quotient and Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator celebrated female founders during National Women’s Small Business Month alongside 4U by Tia founder Tia Mowry! Despite significant strides, women founders still face an uphill battle in the startup world. To put it in perspective in 2023, all-male-founded companies secured over 35x more VC funding compared to all-female-founded ventures. Navigating the funding landscape and building diverse and productive teams will help founders break through barriers to build their dream company. And always remember to lean on your community of female entrepreneurs, working together to cross-promote and share the values and unique strengths of each of your businesses. This is the power of the pack! Sell on Amazon #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounders #FemaleFoundersEquityTable Danyel Surrency Jones

Allow the past and present you to be proud of how far you’ve come—and never stop giving "future you" things to beam about, too!