Modern business team discussing new ideas in the office. Businessman during a meeting in modern times … (+)
getty
In recent weeks leading up to the 2024 election, companies like Walmart have announced their exit from DEI, and many others plan to follow suit. Major universities in the United States are also considering what to do regarding DEI. The bottom line is that much of the professional and economic freedom that we women have enjoyed in and out of the workplace over the past few decades is now at risk.
Several major companies, including Ford, Lowe’s, Boeing, and Harley-Davidson, are cutting back on DEI and environmental, social, and governance programs in response to legal and other external pressure from political and conservative activists.
As suddenly proposed policy changes (see Project 2025) arrive in Washington in 2025 through the newly elected Trump administration and a new Republican-controlled Congress, women, including small businesses and corporate executives, will , we need to prepare for fundamental changes. Toward practicing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
For example, President Trump has promised to end “wokeness” in education, the largest pipeline to future entrepreneurs, business executives, and leaders. This is just one of many promises to eliminate DEI, whether in education, the military, or across the federal government.
The challenge for us as women is what to do to adapt to new changes, while at the same time maintaining the progress we have made and continuing to move towards the equal pay and true equality of opportunity we seek. That’s it. As a woman in the 21st century.
What changes can we expect?
To be honest, the group that benefited the most from affirmative action starting in the late 1970s and through DEI in the late 1990s and 2000s are women, especially white women. These gains come as the incoming Congress and administration wage a campaign to remove so-called “woke people” and “DEI recruits” from the federal government, military, and universities, and pressure corporate leaders to do just that. All now appears to be in jeopardy. same. Walmart appears to have gotten the message early and is now stepping up to help.
How big of a difference do elections make? On June 12, 2020, days after George Floyd’s murder, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon announced that the company’s goal is to “replace structures of systemic racism and instead “It’s about helping build a framework of equity,” he said in a blog post. And justice that solidifies our commitment to the belief that, without question, black lives matter. And now, just weeks after the 2024 election results, Walmart (previously a world leader in DEI) has pivoted to wanting to be the Walmart for everyone.
And let’s not forget that after the 2022 midterm elections, Republican attorneys general began sending letters threatening to sue some of America’s largest companies and force them to reconsider their policies. Now that Republicans have control of the entire federal government heading into 2025, women business leaders should expect to see more of the same.
Provide leadership and hold key positions in the federal government, academia, and beyond to ensure that we continue to move forward with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, sanctioned or not. Here are some things women can do. do not have:
Women must support other women. This is required. Not an option. We must do what men have done for generations: mentor, sponsor, and build a pipeline of diverse new employees to retain and advance in any industry. Women in positions of power in industry and academia must not be retreated from institutional programs or social status. Supporting diversity and inclusion. White women, like white men, earn more than black and Latina women. They must stand up for their fellow women of color. Men must be allies. Men continue to overwhelmingly hold positions of power in American academia, industry, and business. The same goes for federal, state, and local governments. We must continue to build partnerships and consult closely with them on the importance of women being treated equally and given equal opportunities in the workplace.
These three steps must be embraced individually, organically, systematically, and most importantly consistently. If we truly want to achieve positions of merit and create an America of opportunity and freedom for all of us, it’s up to us women to stand up for progress and stand up for each other’s success. It starts from.
