Celebrating International Women’s Day

March 8 – International Women’s Day!

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2016, an organization to which I have been a “very active” member of since 1987, Toastmasters International, salutes women around the world.

Dominantly a male organization since its founding in 1924 in Santa Ana, California, today, more than HALF of the non-profit organization’s 332,000+ members are females who join Toastmasters to become more confident speakers and leaders. I did too!

As a young, female business owner in another male-dominated industry, graphic design and printing, I needed to gain instant credibility and respect with my clients and potential customers. I also needed to learn the art of offering constructive feedback to my employees, each of whom was older than me. So another businesswomen invited me to attend her local Club in historic Old Town of San Diego, California. I had NO IDEA how that 7am meeting would change my life!

This month, I celebrate my 29th consecutive year of membership in this global organization. I’m proud to be part of the change empowering and embracing women in the culture, and perhaps, even be one of its “influencers.”

Toastmasters-Honors-Successful-Women-on-International-Womens-Day