Raise your hand if you're tired of hearing the question "how do you do it?"
Anonymous
Raise your hand if you're tired of hearing the question "how do you do it?"
This post right here is one of the reasons Fairygodboss exists. Our community is an authentic career space for *all* women to feel supported and empowered to make their next move, so when one of our members (and working mother) Travise shared this story with us on social media (link in the comments!), we knew we had to amplify her message. Here it is:
"Something happened that has NEVER happened to me on a plane before.
Since March I have been living the bicoastal life, and for the first time, I woke up in first class as the ONLY woman and ONLY person of color. Now to many that isn’t a BIG DEAL—and let’s be clear, it wasn’t an 'I have arrived' moment at all.
I regularly encounter being the only Woman of Color in most settings that are work related. I regularly hear the question 'How do you leave your family or significant other so often?' And that is the "AHA* of it all.
Men do this travel work-life balance (and have forever!). But recently, more women have been offered opportunities to do the same and we have also figured out how to balance the entire work, family, and life—but all the while still being questioned about how we can do it?
In the year 2021!
You rarely hear the same question asked of a man whether he be single, whether he be a father, whether he be married, or whatever his relationship status is at that time.
Do I think I could have or would have chosen this career I'm in when my tribe was younger, when I was married, or when I was younger? Absolutely not. But let’s be clear, there were women who showed up to children’s events late because they just got in from work, just flew in from a meeting, or were making sure ends would meet—and they had the same trials and tribulations that I had when I was a stay-at-home mama (13 years) to my tribe.
Let’s normalize that there can be a choice in 2021—and when the mama chooses first class over a parent-teacher conference, it's OK!"
Have you had a similar experience or encounter as Travise? Share your story—publicly or anonymously—in the comments below!
Share your insight
Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.
14 Comments
Join the conversation