March is Women's History Month – a time to pause and reflect on the contributions women have made to history, culture, and society. GOJO has a long and robust history of female leadership, starting 75 years ago with our co-founder, Goldie Lippman, and some of the first employees of GOJO: Eleanor Morris, Wave Swigert, and Nancy Foose, whom we honored last year during Women's History Month.
We are proud and humbled as a WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise, to continue that legacy of female leadership today. More than 75 years after our founding, Marcella Kanfer Rolnick, GOJO Executive Chair and third generation of family leadership (and the great-niece of Goldie Lippman), and Carey Jaros, President and CEO, lead our business. Under their leadership, GOJO navigated the tremendous challenges of the past two years, expanding our capability and capacity to better meet the needs of our customers, both for today and tomorrow.
We know Women's History Month is not only about honoring the most memorable women in history that have left indelible marks on our society, but it is also about the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others who have made an impact. Sometimes what seems ordinary to one person may be extraordinary to another.
The significance of Women's History Month is meaningfully different for each person. We asked our GOJO team members what Women's History Month meant to them. Below, you will find their inspiring responses. This month, we invite you to read what they said and take a moment to honor the memorable women in your life, someone who may have left an indelible mark on your journey.
Amanda Copeland, Product Development Manager
- What does Women's History Month mean to you?
Stopping to reflect on Women's History Month allows me to take the time to acknowledge and be grateful for how far we've come. Having a voice, being recognized as equal, and encouraging other women is a privilege we have fought for and can celebrate daily. Celebrating the contributions of the women before us and empowering other women around us creates such an exciting, supportive community. Showing my daughters all of the opportunities they have and that the sky is the limit motivates me every day.
- Who is a woman that inspires you, and why?
My mom inspires me and always has! She worked full time, coached sports, raised three kids, volunteered in the community and church, and is now an amazing grandma. Last year, she beat breast cancer and was the epitome of strength. She focused on the positive, exercised every day throughout chemo and radiation, and has developed relationships and continues to support others in the cancer community. I can only hope to be half the woman she is.
- What advice would you give to a woman who is beginning her career?
Don't be afraid to be uncomfortable. I have found that when I have leaned forward into an opportunity that felt like a stretch and made me uncomfortable, that is when I have had the most growth and developed me into a stronger chemist and a stronger leader.
- Is there a quote from a woman in history that inspires you, and why?
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else." – Judy Garland. I love this for young women today. There are so many standards women are held against, and social media is an incredible pressure. Being authentic, sticking to your morals and beliefs, and being confident in yourself is so powerful.
Gwendolyn Blackshear, Workplaces Specialist
- What does Women's History Month mean to you?
Women's History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the struggles and the strength of all women-kind. I use this month to reflect on past victories and encourage myself to seek out new challenges for myself in work and personal avenues of my life.
- Who is a woman that inspires you, and why?
My mother is my biggest inspiration. She has always been an individual who had a heart for people and her community and raised me to be the same way. Selfless, kind, and always hopeful, she is a fantastic role model and advocates for women everywhere.
- What advice would you give to a woman who is beginning her career?
Don't settle for less than you know you are worth. Be curious and always ask questions.
- Is there a quote from a woman in history that inspires you, and why?
"It was when I realized I needed to stop trying to be somebody else and be myself, that I actually started to own, accept and love what I had." — Tracee Ellis Ross This quote inspires me to never compare myself to anyone else and to fully embrace the awesome fact that I am the only Gwen like me that ever was or ever will be. This idea reminds me that I have a unique purpose and perspective to embrace and share with my friends, family, and community.
Carol Wilson, Social and Behavioral Sciences Senior Scientist
- What does Women's History Month mean to you?
It's a time to reflect on and celebrate the influence and contributions of women who have come before us – how they have impacted our culture, our society, and our individual lives.
- Who is a woman that inspires you, and why?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the 2nd woman and first Jewish female justice of the Supreme Court, who was a champion for ending gender discrimination and affording equal protection under the law to women. Her passion, tenacity, and resilience in overcoming obstacles to advance human rights and gender equality was truly inspiring.
- What advice would you give to a woman who is beginning her career?
Know your true worth, and don't settle for less than being fully valued, whether it's how others treat you, how you treat yourself, or what goals and expectations you set and pursue. If others can create, accomplish, earn, learn, or deserve something, then so can you if you apply the right strategies and effort.
- Is there a quote from a woman in history that inspires you, and why?
"No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizens." – Former First Lady Michelle Obama. This quote is a great reminder that we need Everyone if we are to realize our collective potential, and women are an essential part of that (as are men). What can we each do to ensure that Everyone's participation is valued and All contributions are included?
Donna Wolcott, Production Director, Packaging
- What does Women's History Month mean to you?
Women's History Month is a time to reflect and celebrate what the women who came before us have accomplished. We all come from a long line of strong and courageous women. I have a picture on my desk of my grandmother, her two sisters, and myself at a family wedding. I look at each of those women and pull my strength from them. I take a few moments each day to think about what they overcame in their lives and how truly resilient each of them was. I reflect on the role that mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and granddaughters play in advancing women with each passing generation. I don't take their contributions for granted. Their names may not be known by the world, like Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Sojourner Truth, or Sandra Day O'Conner, yet each played a part in paving the way for me to be a leader in the previously male-dominated industry of manufacturing. I am grateful to each of them, as I am for Marcella, Carey, and many other women at GOJO who shall remain nameless like the matriarchs in my own family. One of my favorite quotes that pretty much says it all is: "Here's to Strong Women: May We Know Them, May We Be Them, May We Raise Them."
- Who is a woman that inspires you, and why?
My co-worker Cheryl Miller inspires me. Cheryl has been a role model for me during my entire career at GOJO. She not only sits among many male vice presidents in Supply Chain, but she "Leads" among them. She is a role model for our GOJO Values, and for all women in manufacturing at GOJO.
- What advice would you give to a woman who is beginning her career?
I would tell a young woman who is beginning her career that the sky is truly the limit. She needs to understand and embrace her value. I would tell her she is "good enough" and to never let herself doubt that. When she is struggling and feeling like it might not be worth the effort, she needs to remember all of the strong women that came before her and know that she too can do it. I would tell her to be humble but to carry her head high.
- Is there a quote from a woman in history that inspires you, and why?
"If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader." – Dolly Parton. This quote inspires me because it is exactly the legacy that I hope to leave in my own life. It's what I strive to do in my career and in my personal life.