125. Diversity & Women in the Workplace: Claim You Space with Amira Barger
Aug 29, 2024
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Amira Barger, a strategic communications and marketing counselor passionate about diversity and women's empowerment, dives into the unique challenges women face in the workplace. She shares insights on the role of organizations in addressing systemic inequities and the significance of self-advocacy. The conversation highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and fostering inclusive leadership. Amira also discusses the intersection of work and home life, the complexities of representation, and strategies for creating equitable environments that support empowerment.
Amira Barger emphasizes the importance of recognizing systemic inequities in the workplace to foster true diversity and inclusion.
The conversation highlights that women in nonprofits often face unique challenges, including biases and the expectation of uncompensated labor.
Empowerment for women involves actively claiming their space and finding allies to amplify their voices in professional settings.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Volunteerism and Personal Background
The discussion highlights how personal experiences shape one’s passion for volunteerism. The guest, Amira Barger, shares her journey of volunteering stemming from her upbringing in a family dedicated to serving others, which inherently connected spirituality with meeting basic human needs like food and shelter. This early exposure instilled a lifelong commitment to service, emphasizing that true volunteerism is about making meaningful connections and addressing the needs of the community. The conversation underscores that the essence of volunteer work is about understanding and responding to the needs of others, which aligns with successful community building.
Diversity in Nonprofit Workforces
The episode addresses the significant presence of women in the nonprofit sector while acknowledging hidden diversities often overlooked. While women dominate this workforce, the conversation reveals that there are still systemic challenges that prevent true equity and inclusion within organizations. It emphasizes that volunteerism is still frequently perceived as 'women's work,' which can lead to undervaluing the contributions of those involved. The dialogue encourages a deeper exploration of the types of diversity within the field, pushing for a more inclusive understanding of what that diversity entails.
Organizational Responsibility Towards Equality
The conversation stresses the crucial role that organizations play in addressing systemic inequities within the workplace. Amira argues that both individuals and organizations benefit from existing privilege and have a responsibility to recognize and address these systemic barriers. By failing to engage with these societal issues, organizations neglect their duty to care for their employees, many of whom are affected by external challenges like burnout and inequality. This calls for a more proactive approach from organizations to foster an inclusive environment and acknowledge the lived experiences of their staff.
The Complexities of Women's Experiences in Nonprofits
The episode delves into the challenges women face in nonprofit organizations, highlighting issues such as caregiving support and the demand for women to perform roles beyond their basic job descriptions. Amira points out that despite the female majority in nonprofit spaces, many women encounter biases that limit their opportunities for advancement and fair compensation. There is an unspoken expectation for women to accept lower wages while prioritizing mission-driven work. The dialogue emphasizes that for women to thrive in these environments, organizations must focus on providing equitable benefits and working conditions.
Empowerment Through Taking Up Space
Amira discusses the importance of women claiming their power by confidently taking up space and engaging actively in conversations. Empowerment involves finding allies who support and amplify voices in professional settings, challenging the notion that women should remain passive. The exchange reinforces that empowerment is both a personal endeavor and a collective responsibility, where allies and co-conspirators must actively participate in disrupting norms. The concept of taking up space is essential for creating inclusive environments where all voices can be heard, fostering greater diversity in leadership.
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson invites strategic communications and marketing counselor, Amira Barger for an enlightening discussion on diversity and women in the workplace. They explore the unique challenges faced by women, the role of organizations in addressing systemic inequities, and the importance of advocacy and taking up space.
Amira shares her personal journey and experiences, offering practical advice for empowerment and the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and inclusive leadership. They also touch on volunteer management, burnout, the positive disruption necessary for social change, and strategies for creating a more equitable and supportive work environment.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.
For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.
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