YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’ Post

Last week, we had the pleasure of presenting to Cedar Valley Women Connect on creating, achieving, and maintaining balance in our lives. If this is something you struggle with, we invite you to do this exercise: Make a list of your values. (These values are the guiding principles with which we strive to live our lives.) Then, after you list out your values, reflect back on the last week. Where have you said yes to something outside of your values? Being aware of our "yes's" and if they are in alignment with our values or not will give us a clearer picture of where we could be out of balance. The question then becomes - Why am I saying yes to something that doesn't align with my values? And that is where we can grow and learn a lot as leaders and as important members of our families to create a better trajectory forward. - Nick Kuhle & Kayla Becker

Read profiles of the 2024 class of Women in Business, professionals who are lifting their careers and companies while adding value to the community.

Women’s month is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate women in our lives. But we could do so much more… the real conversations need to start in our own homes and our workplaces. In what ways are we daily advocating for women? In what ways are making room for them to be heard and celebrated? In what ways do we intentionally set women up for wins? Women should not have to wait for August to feel celebrated. Our campaigns and events about protecting, standing up for and standing with women should not be a facade to please or impress the crowd, this should be a genuine desire to see women win at home and at the workplace. Women are role models, prayer warriors, and leaders to many people in their communities and circles. Personally, women have had the greatest impact on my life— their resilience to keep dreaming even though the odds are against them, the tenacity to keep going when it could be easy to quit, the audacity to serve even when not appreciated, the miracle of carrying life and raising children, the power to love, to work, and to enjoy life. The drive to honor and vouch for women should not stop when the month of August ends. It should be an ongoing pursuit… 💛

What does ten years of honoring Detroit women mean for MCR? We explore our Power of One Dedicated Woman awards and its impact in our new blog post. Read it to learn about why our ceremony on August 20th is a milestone for us. https://hubs.li/Q02LnhG80

Let's have a conversation about #WomeninPhilanthropy No matter what stage of life you are in, strategic giving and community building is for everyone. If you ever wondered what philanthropy can look like for you, please JOIN US next week for a fantastic session featuring my dear friend Badia Weeks! Registration information below!

Check out this feature on Wendy Daray for Women in HVACR!

How we start our saterday

Entrepreneurship Isn't a Solo Journey Running your business can feel lonely, but remember, you're not alone. Today, I had a heart-to-heart chat with a friend in the IT industry. We discussed the challenges of starting a company and pushing forward each day. It is not easy, and it's not for the weak. What makes it difficult is it does get lonely when you don't have someone to explain what you're going through or someone who understands you the challenges your going through. What I've learned is connecting with your peers is critical. I've learned so much from conversations with friends, vendors, and people like Melanie Rae. It's these connections that keep us going. Just a reminder to all entrepreneurs out there: don't be afraid to reach out and talk to others in your field. It really helps. #teamspn

I come from an industry that is predominantly powered by #women However, even today, most industries are dominated by men. In 2022, #data collected from the International Labour Organization concluded that, out of 180 countries - the #unitedstates ranks number 71 for % of women in the workforce. The percentage of women in the #workforce in the U.S is 46.38% Women remain #underrepresented at all levels, in most industries. However, know that when you call 9-1-1 it’s likely that the #hero under the headset is a #strong , #brave , #courageous #female According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report in 2021 - 74% if 911 operators are women. “People need to see leaders who look like themselves, to understand that it’s possible for them.” Happy #womenshistorymonth #womenempowerment #womenchangemakers #genderequality #911dispatch #911dispatcher #dispatchers #publicsafety #publicsector #everydayheroes

Today, on International Women's Day, we honor and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across the globe. This day also marks a call to action and serves as a reminder of the importance of solidarity, advocacy, and action towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone. Learn more about International Women's Day: https://loom.ly/3HJRbPU Want to get involved with women in the parking industry? Learn more about Women In Parking: https://loom.ly/CVwQqhI