Last year was a dynamic one for women. The #MeToo movement brought sexual harassment to the forefront and shed light on many toxic and discriminatory practices long overlooked. In its wake, women found solidarity and empowerment and started to lead in new ways.

In fact, 2018 was so pivotal that it was deemed “the year of the woman” even before it began. We saw women stepping up in many different ways—in communities, business circles, civic activism, and politics.

We now have more women in the U.S. Congress than ever before, and the new group of lawmakers elected in the 2018 midterm elections represents greater diversity— in terms of gender and more—than in the past. Also last fall, California lawmakers enacted a bill requiring public corporations in the state to have at least one female director on their board by the end of 2019.

While women are certainly making progress, we still have a long way to go before equality is achieved. Forbes reported in May of last year that there are only 24 women serving as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Meanwhile, female representation in other C-suite roles at those companies varies. Women make up nearly 13 percent of chief financial officers, 19 percent of chief information officers, and a more equitable 55 percent of chief human resources officers.

At many associations, women may be represented equally in membership but only minimally in the boardroom or
C-suite. All associations can examine how fully they are including women and, in most cases, do more.

What Does This Mean for Associations?

This mixed landscape may signify a societal shift and a turning point for women in associations. We must take notice. Women are asking for and expecting more, and associations must be ready to respond. Furthermore, this may signify a market shift in your industry that may necessitate new and refreshed programs, products, and services to meet this market’s unique needs.

Male-dominated industries, in particular, have a responsibility to ensure that women have a voice and seat at the table. Associations in those fields may need to help women build their skills and provide more opportunities for women to participate more fully in industries that have been slow to include them.

What might that look like? Consider the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association and the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, which stand out as allies for women. These associations host conferences for women to help increase their leadership acumen and teach skills necessary for success in those industries. PMMI also has a broad initiative called the Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network, which offers women ways to engage with each other and the association throughout the year.

At many associations, women may be represented equally in membership but only minimally in the boardroom or C-suite. They may have nowhere to turn to meet and network with allies for the purposes of coaching and mentoring. So, while we may be able to do more, it is also clear that women in most industries want to connect with their male counterparts in meaningful ways, rather than always be relegated to women’s programs.  It is a somewhat complex landscape, but one that every progressive association should examine more fully. 

Questions to Consider

Here are just a few questions to begin a conversation about women’s representation in your organization and opportunities to become more inclusive:

• What percentage of your members are currently male and female? And what does this mean for how you strategize for future events, programs, and services?


• Is there potential to attract more women to your profession or industry? If so, how might you do it?


• How many women serve in leadership positions, either as staff or volunteers? What can you do to cultivate women as leaders? 


• Do you have regular conversations with all of your constituencies, including women, to better understand their needs?

Your association will likely have opportunities to leverage products and services to you reach your female members in a meaningful way this year. The onus is on all of us to pay attention to this movement of female empowerment taking shape.