That’s the hashtag for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2020. The theme this year is “an equal world is an enabled world”. Sunday, March 8^th, was IWD. According to the official website, “International Women’s Day has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.”

But it needs to be more than a day to celebrate women, it needs to be a yearlong commitment by all of us. Fighting for gender equality every day in every situation you are in. At work, at school, in your community, with your friends and family, and in politics.

Speaking of politics, I can’t help but go there. While nearly all the female candidates for president have suspended their campaigns, I wonder if I will see a female president in my lifetime. I truly want to believe it’s not if, but rather when. As one of those candidates, Senator Elizabeth Warren, met thousands of young girls across the country, she used the phrase “that’s what girls do”. Meaning, they run for president. She made a pinky promise with them that someday there would be a woman president.

Several well qualified women ran for president. Why they didn’t get enough support to win the nomination is not one common story. But I do believe they were all held to a different standard than the men running – as women often are. For one, there’s the notion of “likable”. Something that doesn’t get asked about male candidates.

I’ve read many articles and analysis about Senator Warren who appeared to have the best chance at the nomination. I’ve heard stories that a high percentage of people said they would vote for a woman but they didn’t think their neighbors would. That old self-defeating thinking. Men are often judged on their potential while women are often judged on their performance. Can enough people picture a woman president to someday make it a reality?

Like many women, I’m tired.

My husband had to listen to me rant the day after Super Tuesday. Of course, it wasn’t aimed at him. He is one of the most enlightened and supportive men I know. His tweet and my retweet captured what I was feeling that day.

I am that partner. Looking for answers. Speaking for all the qualified, intelligent, hard working and competent women that get passed over. https://t.co/lsiGxk9XGF

— Sue Schade (@sgschade) March 4, 2020

We need women and men in this fight. More men like my husband and Vala Afshar.

The strongest, most influential, and supportive people in my life are women.

The strongest and most successful companies of the future will be those who champion diversity, inclusion and equality.#InternationalWomensDay

— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) March 8, 2020

I will never give up. While 2020 won’t be the year for a female president, let’s make it a year where we recommit to our fight for true gender equality on all fronts.

The call to action on the IWD website is simple: “An equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. Let’s all be #EachforEqual.”