Happy International Women’s Day 2025 (and March is Women’s History Month). This year’s theme is #AccelerateAction—a call to push forward, break barriers, and drive faster progress for gender equality.
I did not grow up pushing for women’s equality. But like many women, it found me somewhere along the way. And this year's theme resonated with me. The fight for equality isn’t some distant history—it’s my lived experience and that of my family and friends.
- It was just 50 years before I was born that the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote. That means my grandmothers were born into a world where they had no voice in our democracy.
- It was just 10 years before I was born that my grandfather told my mom that women shouldn’t go to college. So my mom made sure that I did.
- It was 7 years after I was born that women couldn’t get a credit card or mortgage without a male co-signer. I saved up for a down payment and bought my first home (with a mortgage) when I was 31.
- It was in my early 20s, 30+ years ago, that men in leadership roles where I worked told me my sweater was too loose, and my skirt was too long—at the same time the Anita Hill hearings were happening. I wrote my entrance essay about “expanding my perspective” and went to graduate school.
- It was 30 years ago when my bosses at an investment bank told me I couldn’t wear pants to work. A female colleague and I confirmed with HR that this wasn’t true.
- Around that time, I was told I couldn’t attend a celebratory closing dinner for a transaction I led because they were planning to go to a strip club afterward. I made sure that didn’t happen again.
- It was 25 years ago when my boss at the same investment bank told me to tell a female junior analyst that her sweater was too tight, and her skirt was too short (read that again). I said no way.
- It wasn’t until 20 years ago that I finally found an amazing female role model in a senior leadership role. It was actually part of my decision to join that company. I didn’t fully realize the profound impact of having women in leadership until then—it meant broader representation, diverse thinking, and a better workplace for everyone.
- Just 15 years ago, following in the footsteps of those who accelerated action before me, I broke another barrier, becoming a CFO. I hope I helped expand the path for other women.
- And just 9 years ago, I was elected to a community that had already elected its first female mayor of Hoboken and where I was surrounded by female council colleagues and role models. I feel so lucky.
Seeing #AccelerateAction this morning made me reflect on my own journey and how grateful I am for those who took action before me. Without them, I would not be here, and we wouldn’t have seen the progress we have over the past century. But we also know we are not done—gender gaps persist, and setbacks still happen.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s each ask ourselves: What action can I take today to accelerate progress? Whether it’s advocating for equal opportunities, mentoring a young woman, speaking up in a meeting, or simply recognizing and challenging bias when we see it. Most importantly, be an ally for the women in your life—your wife, sister, mother, daughter, friends, and colleagues—by listening, supporting, and advocating for them—every action matters. This is not a partisan issue. It is both a national and a local issue—one that affects every family in all of our communities.
Thank you for listening to what turned into a bit of a soapbox. Remember #MoreVoicesAreAlwaysBetter.
A personal aside, thank you for all the support during my latest bout of COVID. I am happy to say that I finally tested negative this morning!
Have a great weekend and as always, please share this with everyone you know who may be interested and reach out any time on any issue important to you: 201-208-1674 or [email protected].
Tiffanie Fisher
Hoboken City Councilwoman
Engage. Inform. Advocate.
“More Voices are Better”
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