Women share experience with gender bias for International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day, we asked some of our colleagues about the bias they’ve experienced during their careers.

Their answers offer a window into the work of women leading the PR industry and how colleagues can support their female coworkers. And, they offer some hope for the future.

1. How has your perspective of bias towards women changed? What have you learned?

Debbie Paras

Debbie Parriss, managing partner: I am much more aware now of bias.

While there have been many improvements, it’s still there in the work environment and across all walks of life. One issue that is often not addressed is “queen bee syndrome,” describing a woman in a position of authority who views or treats female juniors more critically. I’ve personally been on the receiving end of this, and it has been documented by studies that show that even avowed feminists can think of men as more competent than women.

Christina Fee, director: When I started work, there was an expectation that women did certain jobs. There have always been female lawyers, doctors, scientists, but back then, not such a proactive focus on removing barriers to entry.