The month of March is designated as Women's History Month in the United States, but it originally started as "Women's History Week" corresponding to the week of March 8th, International Women’s Day. We've asked the women at JZ Design Group to respond to a question of their choice about what it is to be a woman in the workforce and the design community.
What would you tell young women who are just entering the workforce?
You are your own best advocate for getting the job you want and creating the environment around you. Don’t be shy in communicating your wants and needs to a company and feel comfortable saying no when needed which creates boundaries for yourself and others.
Why do we need more women in leadership?
A woman’s natural emotional and caring state is often viewed as a weakness in the professional world, but I believe is it our greatest power. I believe encouraging empathy will create more desirable work environments and ultimately slow the “great resignation” occurring in corporate America.
What advice would you give women looking to grow within the company they work for?
Work hard, be kind, and create the path that you want to set for yourself. Be vocal in how you want to grow and prove that you can handle it.
Who is the most influential woman you know? How does she inspire you?
Textile designer Stacy Garcia is an amazing design influencer and leader in all aspects of life. Her business smarts, raw talent, and kind heart have guided her throughout her career, successfully building up other women along the way. She inspires me to embrace my individuality and unabashedly challenge the world to do better, be better.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Create your chances to grow and to be what you want to become. Success is for everyone. You just need to take the first step and improve your skills.
Admirable achievements by Women:
Marie Curie received the Nobel Prize in 1903, and the first person to win a Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win a Nobel prize in two scientific fields, pioneering research on radioactivity. ”We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”
Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics as a NASA employee were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S. crewed spaceflights.
“In math, you are either right or you’re wrong.”
Iris Apfel is 101 years old and has had an extensive career including textiles, fashion and design. She became a model at 97, and was a visiting professor at the University of Texas in 2012.
“When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else.”
JZ Design Group is capable of multidisciplinary design and architecture, with a team ready to take on any challenge. We bring quality, care and extensive experience to each project and look forward to our future opportunities.