LETTER FROM THE EDITOR n
WOMEN'S WORK
P H O T O : K E L LY B A R R
“I
sn’t the topic getting outdated?” someone asked when I
told her I was working on Comstock’s annual Women in
Leadership issue.
While I think not, her response reflects what might be
considered a sense of exhaustion. Last year’s #MeToo and
#TimesUp movements gained global attention, and the in-
credible political gains made by women led the Brookings
Institution to declare 2018 another “Year of the Woman,” (the
last one being 1992, when more women were elected to Con-
gress than in any previous decade). Women earn the majority
of bachelor's, master’s and doctoral degrees. Films with fe-
male leads outperform those with male leads at the box office.
Women live longer and are better represented in leadership
positions than at any other previous point in time. In the Capi-
tal Region, roughly 75 percent of our chambers of commerce
are led by women (“At the Helm,” pg. 56). Some studies suggest
we have better track records in finance, including investing
in the stock market and managing hedge funds. Corporations
who put us on their boards perform better (“New Law, Old
Rules,” pg. 68). Perhaps it’s not entirely surprising for some,
particularly from older generations, to wonder what the rest of
us are still going on about.
Yet, there is still work to be done (“Sexism Is Not Extinct,”
pg. 38; “Turning Point,” pg. 80; “A New Wave,” pg. 90). The wom-
en featured in this issue are a testament to great strides that
have been made. They span generations, come from through-
out the region, lead in a variety of industries and boast diverse
political persuasions, perspectives and backgrounds. I hope
you will find within these pages, as I did, cause for celebration
and reason to keep pushing for leadership that reflects the vi-
brant fabric of our city, region and nation.
Though perhaps “pushing” isn’t quite the right word. For
most of us, even those who may feel they aren’t quite advanced
enough in their careers to make a difference, the real task is in
lifting. It is on all of us to uplift those within our networks who
show exceptional talent and unique vision — particularly those
who also happen to come from underrepresented backgrounds.
We’re all likely familiar with the hushed concern of forgo-
ing “the best person for the job” in the pursuit of diversity. I try
to take that concern as code for “help me.” If diversity is im-
portant to you, the absolute best way to funnel those energies
is into leveraging your resources to lift up the promising and
capable individuals in your own network. Connect them to op-
portunities, recommend them for jobs, offer your mentorship.
Ask for ideas and provide the kind of critical feedback that fa-
cilitates professional growth. If you know an organization with
a diversity problem — on its board, within its staff — this is how
you can go beyond call-out culture to follow up with real solu-
tions. There is no substitute for ensuring we have a purposeful
impact in the environments where we carry the most power
and influence.
Speaking of which, this also seems like a good time to
announce some news of my own: At the end of this month, I
will be stepping away from my position as editor in chief of
Comstock’s. It has been an honor to lead this phenomenal team
of editors, writers, designers, photographers, illustrators and
other creative forces within media. The talent and dedica-
tion behind the scenes of this magazine, while seldom seen,
is truly exceptional. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished
together, from the articles we’ve published, to the digital plat-
forms we’ve expanded onto and the recognition those efforts
have received.
I will, in the immediate future, continue on in a more limit-
ed capacity, helping to guide the publication’s overall editorial
vision and digital strategy — after that, perhaps as a writer and
always as a reader.
Telling the Capital Region’s story during such a pivotal time
of transformation has been beyond fulfilling, and I thank you
for trusting me to tell your stories.
Allison Joy
Editor in Chief
March 2019 | comstocksmag.com
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