Women’s experience in the workplace continues to be disparate from their male counterparts. In 2024, according to Pew Research Center, women earned an average of 85% of what men earned. This is only slightly up from 2003 when women earned 81% that of men’s salaries. Studies show that women’s day-to-day work experience is often influenced by the presence of benevolent sexism in the organizational culture. Benevolent sexism is an ambivalent form of sexism that comprises behaviors that appear benign or even positive but actually promote traditional gender roles and a patriarchal status quo. In this session, we will discuss signs of benevolent sexism and how one can recognize and counter them. Additionally, we will discuss how male colleagues can be allies in dismantling cultural elements linked to benevolent sexism.

Studies suggest that women joining forces with other women has a much greater impact on the culture of an organization and towards shifting gender norms. It’s a long-held belief that women work against each other, and we have found that it is actually productive for women to serve as allies to each other. Research also suggests that women inadvertently internalize patriarchal messages that lead to mistreating and underestimating other women in an attempt to increase their own status and power. In this session, we will discuss actively seeking out other women as allies and building bridges to benefit women as a whole.