Let me be real with you—because sugarcoating this only keeps us stuck.

Women today are more educated, more skilled, and more essential than ever before.

We are leaders, breadwinners, caregivers, and entrepreneurs. And yet, despite the degrees, the experience, the endless multitasking, and the million invisible mental tabs open at all times, we are still fighting to be seen as equal.

I remember when a former job had a year long pay equity assessment —and myself and several other women armed with a university degree, years of experience, and results that couldn’t be argued with—and being kept at the same pay grade as our male counterparts with only a high school diploma for " balance". Let that sink in. Bigger job. More education. More responsibilities. Less money. Why? Because we were women.

And this isn’t just about one job or one story—it’s the system.

Banks still require husbands to co-sign on pension paperwork.

Canada ranks 67 out of 193 countries in women’s representation in Parliament. In 2025.

And we won't even start about what's happened/happening south of us.

Pay equity? A distant dream.

Women—especially mothers—still carry the overwhelming majority of the domestic load: the school calls, the appointments, the fevers, the snow days (15 this year in Muskoka alone). Remote work with kids at home? Mostly a woman’s job. Remember Covid? And we’re still expected to show up with a smile, do our jobs flawlessly, and apologize for wanting flexibility.

We are penalized for the very roles society expects us to carry.

Our worth is still too often measured not by our achievements, but by outdated benchmarks:

“Is she married?”
“Does she have children?”
“Is she nice?”
" is she pretty?"

Nice doesn’t change systems. Equity does.

You want to talk about the ripple effect? Every single part of our economy suffers when women aren’t equal. When women can’t fully participate, when we’re underpaid, underrepresented, and overburdened—businesses suffer. Innovation stalls. Communities shrink. The future dims.

Let’s go even deeper.

Are there roads in your town named after women? Statues? We have Rene.

Medical research based on female biology? (Spoiler: The BMI scale was designed for men.) Even our bodies are misunderstood.

So, where do we go from here?

Here are 5 tangible ways to create more equality and recognition for women in our communities—no massive budget, no fancy programs required:

1. Name It and Claim It: Start renaming streets, parks, buildings, and awards after notable local women—past and present. Visibility matters.
   
2. Create a Local Women’s Equity Audit: In your business, school board, or community group, assess pay scales, leadership ratios, speaking opportunities, and event panels. Then act on what you find.
   
3. Celebrate Women’s Work—All of It: Host community events that showcase unpaid labour—caregiving, organizing, volunteering—and give women public recognition for it.
   
4. Put Her on the Panel: Whether it’s a town hall, business roundtable, or community fundraiser, make sure women are leading, speaking, and shaping the agenda. Every. Single. Time.
   
5. Start Young: Partner with local schools to offer mentorship programs that pair girls with women leaders in every field—from trades to tech, from politics to art.
   

This isn’t about blame. It’s about balance.

About giving every woman the space, respect, and opportunity she’s earned.

Because when women rise, everyone rises.

And I’ll leave you with this quote—one I return to when the fire in me needs stoking:

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama

Let’s start seeing women. Really seeing them. Not just for what we carry, but for who we are—and what this world could be if we were finally, truly, equal.

And if you are a female entrepreneur , consider joining @theforum. A huge resource of support. Consider listening to these podcasts; @I'vehadit, @wiserthanme, @melrobbins and so many more.

xxFyonna