Michigan Premier Events | Women in the Spotlight Featuring Sheryl Wicks

In March at Michigan Premier Events, women are in the spotlight. Indeed, celebrations

such as Women’s International Day and Women’s History Month represent a fantastic opportunity for our organization to reaffirm their commitment to gender equality. Part of our diversity, Equity, inclusion & belonging culture at Michigan Premier Events is to shine a light upon women driving growth and innovation for our company and our clients. Sheryl Wicks, Event Manager for Michigan Premier Events, is one of these key figures making a difference. In this article, she tells us more about the women who inspire her and what women’s history month means to her.

What does women’s history month mean to you?

Women’s history month to me means celebrating women and their many contributions and accomplishments to history and society.

Who are some of your inspiring and motivating women leaders and why?

I am inspired by women leaders like Michelle Obama and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Powerful and motivating women leaders who have made countless strides for women and children.

What motivated you to keep going and achieve your goals regardless of

gender bias?

What motivates me to keep going and to achieve my goal regardless of gender bias is to prove to myself that I can do anything that I want to accomplish. The feeling of accomplishment motivates me to want to do

more and to keep setting the bar higher for myself. But I also set a good example for my sister and to my kids. To show them that with hard work, dedication, and time, you really can accomplish anything.

What is something you’d like the next generation of children to know?

I want the next generation of children to know that life is an ongoing journey, not just an end point or destination. Its important to have a healthy balance between doing and being and planning and letting go.

Getting to the Roots of Change

What should leaders do to empower the next generation of women

leaders?

Leaders should continue to educate themselves and speak up and speak out about the importance of gender equality. If we want to empower the next generation of women leaders, then I fully expect things like more inclusive workplace cultures, diverse leadership and corporate boards, and offering mentorship and leadership programs for women within or outside of their organizations.

Why do we need more women in leadership?

We need more women in leadership for many reasons. Women bring fresh perspectives to the table, we are effective problem solvers, we are great communicators, and we can offer unique and important mentorship

to other women.

What’s your vision for the future and what advice would you give to

women looking to follow in your footsteps?

As of 2020, only 35% of top management positions are held by women, despite the fact that we make up more than half of the workforce in the United States. Also, when comparing a woman who has earned a master’s degree to a man who has earned the same level of education, men are still earning nearly 48% more than their counterparts with the same qualifications. My vision for the future is to close this gap. I want to see pay equity and I want to see more women in leadership roles. The advice I would give to women is to make sure you are holding others accountable. Speak up if you are experiencing gender bias, you are your biggest advocate.

As you know, March is Women’s History Month. Which inspiring woman

would you invite to your dream dinner party and why?

I would invite women I am inspired by, like Michelle Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Patsy Mink, Ashley Graham, and Naomi Osaka. This is just a small list of women who have done and continue to do inspiring work. These women are trailblazers in their industries and set great examples for all the young ladies around the world. They use their platforms to spread awareness surrounding important things like basic human rights, gender equity, mental health, body positivity, and much more.

What advice would you give to children in regard to women in leadership

roles?

I just want them to understand the importance of having women in leadership roles, especially to young girls. Having role models that look like them to look up to, gives them hope and motivation to continue to

lead and empower others to do the same.

For more Women in the spotlight for Women's History Month visit www.MichiganPremierEvents.com