Commemorating Women’s Role in Society By Giving Them a Space to Inspire Others

International Women’s Day is a special time of celebration and commemoration for women across the globe. Often, our inclination is to express our feelings of gratitude and admiration for the women in our lives as we shower them with gifts and words of affirmation, and while this is a worthy and admirable way to celebrate the women around us, there is more that can be said and done. We can frequently overlook the many women who play an integral part both in our personal lives as well as in society at-large, and therefore their work and voices can often go unnoticed. This year, we decided that one of the meaningful ways we could celebrate women is to leverage their influence and give them a space to be heard so that we may elevate and learn from them.

At Rosaprima, we are fortunate to have several brilliant female leaders like Pamela García, Katia Espinosa, Natasha Viedt, and Magaly Cadena, who work extremely hard to make our company as great as it is. In the words that follow you will learn how these women navigate their professional and personal lives as they strive to conserve gender equality in the workplace.

“I think that the best way to celebrate such a special day is by acknowledging ourselves as being capable of achieving whatever we set out to do. We should value each other and determine that together we are stronger and can go further.” (Pamela Garcia, VP of Corporate Services)

“Share about why you care. Talk to people about International Women’s Day and why it matters. Social media can be a great and powerful tool to spread awareness, so utilize this space by sharing and re-posting valuable resources and information. Spreading the word is critical. Don’t let the chance to reach someone pass by. Gender equality isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s a human issue so it’s essential to educate your son, husband, boyfriend, dad and urge them to be part of the movement” (Natasha Viedt, Marketing Manager).

“The best advice I could give a young woman is to have integrity, to always preserve her values and always give more than 100% of her effort. Every task we take on, from the smallest to the most complex requires our full attention and dedication. To me, every day is an opportunity to be a better version of myself, to contribute new ideas and learn. Never stop training and growing yourself, and when you feel that things get difficult, remember just how valuable and capable you can be only if you put your mind to it” (Pamela Garcia).

“Don’t let anyone disrespect you, make your voice heard, say it loudly. You can do anything you want, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Always stand for what you believe in and for who you are. Be curious and think differently” (Natasha Viedt).

“To me, gender equity is recognizing that within the differences that exist between men and women, we all deserve the opportunity to develop ourselves on an equal playing field. Thus, a person’s gender cannot in any way determine their rights, opportunities, and responsibilities. Regarding the workplace, I believe that the best way to guarantee equal participation without stereotypes is by offering every member of my team the opportunity to carry out their work in an environment of respect where there is no partiality of any kind. Fostering this kind of environment allows both women and men to demonstrate their abilities and grow within the professional field based on their efforts and with no concern of favoritism” (Katia Espinosa, Sales Ops & Planning Manager).

“At Rosaprima, every employee can aspire to accomplish anything they set out to do. The salary and job evaluation policies extend fairness to all as they evaluate individuals according to the skills and preparation that each person has gathered to occupy a position – regardless of gender. One of the most important assessments carried out each year is the technical review of the value of each position at the company. The assessment is overseen by a senior management committee where the score is calculated according to the value that each position contributes to the fulfillment of organizational goals. The person who takes on a particular position is the one that best fits the description of that role. Rosaprima gives me the freedom and confidence to present myself as a resilient woman capable of contributing significant ideas that are always listened to and valued” (Magaly Cadena, CFO).

I always make sure to plan and structure my priorities according to Pareto’s Law, also known as the “80/20 rule”. I list my tasks from most important and most valuable, to least important – this way I can win the day. I make decisions daily according to the benefit or influence a certain result will have on the company at-large. I apply this method in every area that I manage, it helps me stay consistent and disciplined to follow through on the most important goals both personally and for the company. – Magaly Cadena.

The most difficult time I had as a leader was when I was working on finishing my master’s degree, it was a challenging and demanding two years. Juggling a full-time job along with studies and the home is a big challenge, time is limited, and it requires a great deal of organization and discipline. In my case, especially at the end of the second year, I faced very difficult days where I felt overwhelmed and thought I wouldn’t be able to accomplish all my appointed tasks, much less dedicate the appropriate amount of time and attention to them. However, this hardship became the ideal opportunity for me to strengthen my organizational and team-working skills. Recognizing and leveraging the abilities of each member of my team was the success factor. In the end, everything worked out and the personal and professional growth that those two years of sacrifice and dedication gave me was incredible and totally worth it” (Pamela Garcia).

“Thankfully, I have never had to choose between my career and my personal life, Rosaprima has allowed me to develop myself both professionally and personally. My family has always been my unconditional support in the fulfilling of my goals and dreams within every aspect of my life. I have a wonderful job and a beautiful family, for which I am very grateful for the blessings that life has given me” (Magaly Cadena).

“Achieving a healthy balance between our professional and personal lives can be challenging, but it is essential. Finding the sweet spot between these two facets is not only positive on a personal level, but it allows us to obtain better professional results as well” (Katia Espinosa).

I believe that to find the right balance between work and personal life, it is extremely important to learn to value your time well. One of the things that has personally helped me a lot over the years is to plan my day in advance, this way I am able to establish clear priorities and objectives, which allows me to be more productive at the office and have enough time to focus on my family as well as myself. – Katia Espinosa

As you think through how to celebrate International Women’s Day this year, we encourage you to take some time to listen to the women around you, ask them questions, promote their stories and share them with others. You’ll be surprised how much worth can come out of these conversations and the difference they can make. Take a moment to recognize and praise the hard work that women put into all kinds of industries and spaces, whether they are an executive in a company or a stay-at-home mom, there is beauty and value in the wisdom garnered by women from all walks of life. Happy International Women’s Day!