It was only in very recent memory that the United States began to recognize the powerful contribution women have on our country's history. In 1980 President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8th National Women’s History Week. Several years later, it was extended into all of March, and of course International Woman’s Day is March 8th.

On this day, we are asked to “Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.” We don’t need to tell you that too many people across the world continue to be marginalized. As a female owned and operated technology business, we strongly believe it takes each person to take action and to make change.

We shine a light on current technology statistics and highlight some startling figures with this graphic from NowSourcing. Young girls are discouraged from choosing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and lack female mentors, which would help bolster their early educational interests.

At Evia Events, not only do we employee females of all ages in leadership roles, we invite all ages and demographics into the workplace. Our hiring process is reflected with our commitment to track the seniority of mentorship that employees receive. As a GEN-certified business, we are aware that men have traditionally had access to more senior mentors who have sponsored them into senior roles, while women have historically had ‘horizontal’ mentors. By intentionally matching mentors and mentees at Evia, we ensure that everyone has equal access to mentors who can turn into sponsors.

Gender bias still exists, but there are some other great examples of tech companies that are closing the gap. With them, we honor International Woman’s Day’s theme to #ChooseToChallenge and invite all colleagues and industry peers to take action every day to make change. It is everyone’s “job” to pay attention, to highlight where there is gender bias and inequality and to continue inviting woman to be thought leaders.