The Great Resignation
Shortly after April spearheaded MacStaffing, a staffing agency that Hallmark utilized to manage the pay-rolling of 1099 contractors, she became pregnant with her third child. She excelled at her work of recreating the staffing division in other locations. When her boss told her that she could not make sales while pregnant because it would not sell, she felt deflated. He explained it was not safe and advised her to do in-house organizing and management instead.
It was not long after this conversation that she went into labor with her son. Her boss called an hour after she delivered. Rather than asking about the baby, he asked if she completed her assignment that morning. This was when she realized she needed a new job. (Go April!)
April confided in her dad about what happened.
It was one question from her dad that became the turning point of April’s career. He asked her, “Well, what are you going to do about it?”
April knew he was suggesting that she should open up her own staffing company. She became overwhelmed with fears and excuses, like: I just had a baby, I do not like numbers, this will negatively affect my family, etc.
Although April could think of every excuse to keep her from leaping, she was able to move past her fears. She decided to start a staffing business that serves the best interest of the creative. During her maternity leave, she launched Creatives On Call in 1995.
Why is Overcoming Fear Important?
During the Social Origin podcast, April shared advice she would give to her younger self, but feel free to take the advice for yourself.
Fear is a liar. Don’t let it get in your head. When you do, break it down, and figure out why you’re afraid; because half of the time, it’s the unknown.
If you’re afraid of the unknown, educate yourself.
If you don’t think you can do something, test it out. Figure out why you can’t do it.
If it is truly something to be afraid of, you will know you need to walk away.
Other Women Taking a Stand Against Gender Inequality
April decided to take her dad's advice. Her stand was to create a company culture where people would not have to deal with these inequalities. Instead, they would feel valued as friends and contemporaries.
“I hope girls and women are not dealing with that same kind of stuff anymore, but in 1994-1995, that was still going on. Pregnant women were not interesting or appreciated.”
- April Koenig, CEO
Unfortunately, gender inequality is still happening today. Yet, women are continuing to take these obstacles and harness their creative power to make an impact, like:
Allyson Felix, a 10-time Olympic medalist in track
She recently created a personal shoe brand, Saysh, in response to Nike's pay cut while she was pregnant
Read more on her recent Olympic debut, wearing her new brand as she received Bronze in the 400-Meter competition. Allyson Felix Wins 400-Meter Bronze in Her Own Shoes, Not Nike (NKE) - Bloomberg
Allyson Felix || Introducing Saysh || Know Your Place
(Allyson Felix powerfully introduces her brand, Saysh.)
“All of my experience of becoming a mom, of raising a daughter, helps show me my true competitor: Inequality.”
Serena Williams, Sarah Brown, and Dana Vollmerare
Serena Williams, Sarah Brown, and Dana Vollmerare are three of many female Olympic athletes who have demonstrated a woman’s capabilities while pregnant and postpartum. Read this article to learn about their accomplishments: (Female Athletes Talk About Competing While Pregnant | Time)
(Serena Williams, 36, competing at a major final one year after delivering her baby)
“Pregnancy isn’t a disability, ...we have a ways to go before a pregnant athlete excelling at her job will be commonplace rather than [a] cause for excitement, questions, or scrutiny.”
-Bill Moreau, the managing director of sports medicine for the U.S. Olympic Committee
Johanna “José” Zeilstra, CEO of Gender Fair
Gender Fair, a public benefit corporation, is changing the workforce by informing consumers, employees, and investors with data that reveals organizations that support gender equality.
José encourages employers to “...aspire to go above and beyond legal requirements to help pregnant and nursing women so that they can continue to work.” Some ideas she includes are:
Allow a modified work schedule, frequent breaks, sitting, light duty, or short-term leave for pregnant women.
Nursing moms need a lactation room to express milk. Employers can also offer breast milk shipping benefits to employees who travel.
Employers can focus on providing temporary backup care, and subsidies to make childcare more affordable.
Allow flexibility and reduced working hours, ensure women earn the same as men for comparable work, and provide more paid time off.
Offer paid leave for both moms and dads (maternity and paternity) in order to reduce the childcare responsibility solely on moms and ensure they continue in their participation in the labor force.
Want to work for organizations that are gender fair? Check out this user-friendly app on Apple Podcast | Google Play. The app allows you to scan the logo of 2,500 brands to see if a company is Gender Fair. If not, it provides an alternative that is Gender Fair. Read more in José's recent interview with Ethisphere Magazine.
Every day we are becoming more aware of how to improve as a nation, corporation, and individual. There is an opportunity like never before to harness your creative power and make an impact with the trials you have faced. April Koenig leaves us inspired with a story of resilience and how she got the best revenge on gender inequality. She has portrayed what a woman is capable of accomplishing even with a baby on the hip.
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If you are a creative looking for equal opportunities, visit Creatives On Call | Marketing & Creative Resources to fill out a profile.
If you are a business and looking for creatives, contact April Koenig on LinkedIn.
Listen to their conversation hosted by Social Origin: Apple Podcasts | Google Play
Article Written By:
Lisa Carnegis, Creative Copywriter | LinkedIn
