Celebrating the Women of Print

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has profoundly affected American families. Millions are out of jobs, and White House economic advisers are predicting that unemployment rates could surpass 20 percent. In-school learning is finished for the year, and come September, the classroom is going to look quite different. Nothing about this situation is normal.

My husband and I are fortunate enough to have jobs that allow us to work from home, as we attempt to juggle the roles of providers, home-school teachers, parents, etc. Sometimes—OK, oftentimes—it’s hard to stay positive. COVID-19 has forced all of us to grieve lost routines, social connections, family structure and our sense of security. As for the future, there are so many unknowns.

But this too shall pass. Just think about what members of our industry have had to overcome. I reflected on this when writing the Women in Print and Promo spotlights for our May issue. The challenges facing women in the workplace have been well-chronicled, and, even in 2020, continue to be a topic of interest, with the gender pay gap and other systemic problems still making headlines.

Although we’ve come a long way, there is still work to be done. I am proud to say that this year’s honorees are changing the narrative for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. They are managing teams, driving growth and overseeing internal operations—all while navigating an unsettled business environment. Their self-confidence, decisiveness and caring attitude are unmatched, and it’s important to highlight their experiences now more than ever, when hope is so sorely needed.

Take a moment to read their stories. They’ll leave you feeling inspired. In the meantime, stay informed and be kind to yourself. We’re in this together.