From Trailblazers to a Seat at Every Table: Honor, Empower, Inspire
Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the women who came before us—the ones who paved the way, the ones who had the courage to grab ahold of the doorknob to doors that were closed, and in many cases, locked tightly. These women didn’t just try to walk through doors; they turned the knob, cracked them open, and started something bigger than themselves.
Because of them, we are where we are today. And because of us, the next generation will go even further.
Honor: Remembering the Trailblazers Before Us
The women of past generations were pioneers. They didn’t wait for permission—they acted. They faced barriers that seem unthinkable now, but they pushed forward anyway, making choices that changed history.
For me, that spirit of trailblazing courage is deeply personal.
My great-grandmother, Grandma Virginia, was born in West Virginia, the daughter of a bank president. She fell in love with a coal miner at a time when social class determined everything. But love—and courage—are stronger than expectations. She and my great-grandfather eloped, leaving behind security and predictability for the unknown.
Not long after, she became pregnant, and with the mining industry slowing down, she and my great-grandfather made a bold decision. It was 1934, and they packed up everything, driving west in search of opportunity. They eventually settled in Oklahoma, where my great-grandfather found work in the oil fields, and my grandmother, Mimi, was born.
Grandma Virginia was resilient, independent, and fiercely determined. After my great-grandfather passed away at 52, she never remarried. In fact, she never even went on another date because she believed in eternal love, and Great Grandpa Benny was her soul mate. She did so many amazing things! I’ll never forget the stories of her traveling to Africa on her own and how she truly lived to just four days shy of her 89th birthday.
Then there was Mimi—my SHEro. She was an advocate for the deaf community, a God-fearing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. And the woman who raised me. Because of her, I learned the importance of standing up, taking action, and making an impact.
Truthfully, I wouldn’t be where I am today without Grandma Virginia and Mimi—they were strong, intelligent, determined, capable women who fought for their beliefs and their communities. They were trailblazers and the pillar on which our family was built.
Many other women like Grandma Virginia and Mimi opened doors in ways they probably never imagined.
Empower: The Women Standing Beside Us Today
Because of the women before us, our generation has taken those same doors and flung them wide open. We’re walking through more doors, more frequently, and with more confidence than ever.
And the proof is in the numbers.
Women in Leadership: Today, women hold 35.3% of senior leadership positions in major companies, a significant shift from past generations.
Women Leading Fortune 500 Companies: As of 2024, 10.4% of Fortune 500 companies are led by female CEOs—a number that is still too low but continues to grow. Additionally, women now hold 30.4% of board seats in these companies, compared to just 9.6% in 1995.
Women-Owned Businesses: Women now own over 14 million businesses in the U.S., accounting for nearly 40% of all businesses and generating $1.8 trillion in revenue.
These numbers prove that we are no longer knocking on the door, asking for a seat at the table—we are taking our seats, making decisions, and driving change.
Our generation has been the first woman to… in so many spaces. The first woman CEO, the first woman to own a multimillion-dollar company, the first woman to sit on a board of directors, the first woman to lead in historically male-dominated industries.
That is why empowering each other matters. That is why we must support the women standing beside us today. Through peer groups, mentorship, and leadership development, we can continue to build upon the legacy of the women before us.
Inspire: The Future of Women in Leadership
Why does this matter? Because the next generation is watching.
They are seeing how far we’ve come. They are learning about the women before them who fought to:
Vote for the first time
Own land without a man’s signature
Open checking accounts and credit cards on their own
Lead companies and industries
We’ve come so far, but the work isn’t done.
My dream is that the next generation never has to be "the first woman to..." because so many before them already have. That they never have to have tough conversations around equality—because we are equal. That they walk into boardrooms, leadership roles, and executive suites as a given, not an exception. That they push even further, taking what we’ve built and raising the bar for the generations after them.
How do you continue the Legacy of Trailblazing Women?
Honor the Past – Learn and share the stories of the women who paved the way. Keep their names, their struggles, and their triumphs alive.
Empower the Present – Support, mentor, and uplift the women around you. Advocate for them. Make space for them.
Inspire the Future – Show young women what’s possible. Be an example. Give them access, opportunities, and a voice in the conversations that matter.
Who Opened a Door for You?
This Women’s History Month, take a moment to reflect. Who are the women in your life—past or present—who opened doors for you?
Share their story. Say their names. Honor their legacy.
And then, ask yourself: Whose door can I open next?
#HonorHER #EmpowerHER #InspireHER
— Kristie Clayton
HERverse Founder
#HERthoughts
