Embrace Wellness This Women’s History Month
By Michelle A. Banks, Kohl’s Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
There is something special about women coming together to support each other’s accomplishments. Since the 1980s, we’ve used the month of March to do just that. This Women’s History Month, we honor the strength, perseverance, and achievements of women who have, and continue to, drive change.
At Kohl’s, we use this special moment to reaffirm our commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls throughout our communities. To help our next generation of women have equal access and opportunities, Kohl’s has invested $100,000 in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America SMART girls program, which helps Club members maintain healthy lifestyles, build positive relationships, understand the influence of social media, and navigate adolescence.
At Kohl’s, we use this special moment to reaffirm our commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls throughout our communities. To help our next generation of women have equal access and opportunities, Kohl’s has invested $100,000 in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America SMART girls program, which helps Club members maintain healthy lifestyles, build positive relationships, understand the influence of social media, and navigate adolescence.
Discover the power within
By embracing each other and giving back to our communities, we can help women own and stand in their confidence. I am thankful for the Women of Kohl’s Business Resource Group (BRG), which helps Kohl’s associates thrive together through thoughtful, engaging and interactive programming supporting total Women’s wellness. To share what Women’s History Month and total wellness mean to them, I connected with and learned from a few of our Women of Kohl’s Business BRG members.
Rebecca Rugg, Kohl’s Store Manager
Why is Women's History Month important to you?
Throughout my life, I have felt, seen, and fought through struggles many of us have dealt with. However, I have also been lucky enough in my personal and professional life to have had excellent and strong women around who have helped support and encourage me at many different times. Women's History Month provides us a time and a space to focus and reflect on those relationships, how they have impacted us, and how we might pay it forward.
Seeing women in leadership can inspire girls and young women to reach higher and dream bigger. Can you tell us about a woman who positively influenced your life?
I could tell you a lot about many women who have positively influenced my life, starting with my mom and moving through different teachers, coaches, bosses, and beyond. Instead of just one woman, I want to define the two qualities I think have overlapped in all the women who have significantly influenced my life. First, they have been challenging and demanding while remaining kind. They have pushed me to achieve, sometimes in ways I never would have thought I could. Secondly, they have been encouraging and supportive. They rewarded, congratulated, celebrated, and recognized equally as much as the demands. Many people can be great at one of these behaviors or the other, but the combination can create something special that inspires others to achieve beyond what they thought they could.
What's your best advice for other women as they continue to grow in their careers?
I love this question! Just one is difficult, but if I have to choose one, it is Be Confident (yes, with a capital "B" and a capital "C") - in who you are, in what you know, in what you have done, and in where you are going. Don't be apologetic about what you want to achieve and how you will get there.
By prioritizing total wellness, we can build a strong foundation of well-being and help women stand in their confidence. What is your favorite wellness tip?
Hydrate. This one isn't reinventing the wheel, but it is one that I struggle with, and I have to set goals for myself to achieve each day. The ice machines in our break rooms and hydration have been game changers for me, so thanks, Kohl's!
Why is Women’s History Month important to you?
Even though societies have made significant strides in empowering women, we still have opportunities to advance. It is essential and always will be to keep reminding ourselves how far women have come and to have a dedicated platform to highlight the specific challenges women still face today at all levels of society. It is also an opportunity for men and women to come together to solve these challenges.
Seeing women in leadership can inspire girls and young women to reach higher and dream bigger. Can you tell us about a woman who positively influenced your life?
Mridula Goel, Kohl’s Senior Marketing Analyst
I am lucky to work at a company like Kohl's with many female role models! I am proud to say I have a rather long list of female role models. A few of them are - my mother (a retired math teacher from whom I learned the joys of learning and teaching), my sister (who every day reminds me to stand up for myself), and my manager (from whom I am learning team-building and leading with compassion)!
What’s your best advice for other women as they continue to grow in their careers?
There are two pieces of advice I have that I try to live by. Having goals is super-important in a career, and seek out a mentor (this can also be a friend, colleague, sibling, etc). Identifying someone who can hold you accountable for your goals is very important. It's like having a friend on a long hike!
By prioritizing total wellness, we can build a strong foundation of well-being and help women stand in their confidence. What is your favorite wellness tip?
I try not to compare myself to the fantastic people around me! I tell myself I am doing things my way, in the order they are important to me. This makes me unique, so comparing myself to anyone else is unfair! This is a lesson that needs frequent revision.
While answers may differ on why we recognize Women’s History Month, all responses come down to one common theme: celebrating women's contributions to history, culture and society. Thank you to Rebecca and Mridula for sharing and inspiring us all.
Empowered women empower women
Sisterhood is a celebration of community with inclusion at its core. We are proud to have long-standing partnerships with amazing women-owned businesses and designers who have built brands exclusively for Kohl’s, including Simply Vera Vera Wang, LC Lauren Conrad and Draper James RSVP. Join us in supporting these women and many more who champion inclusivity this month by checking out our Women-owned and founded brands on Kohls.com.
This Women’s History Month, I encourage you to thank the remarkable women in your life who have embraced you for who you are and continue to spark change.
Michelle A. Banks
