The theme of Providing Healing, Providing Hope for this Women’s History Month rings true for so many women. As we head into another year of the pandemic, it's vital to not only honor the women who are caregivers and frontline workers but also recognize the ways women from all cultures provide both healing and hope throughout history.

To celebrate Women’s History Month and this year’s theme, NextRoll and our RollWomen Employee Resource Group (ERG), which supports NextRoll women and allies, hosted a series of virtual events to engage and educate our team. Here are the highlights!

NextRoll Women Leadership Fireside Chat 

Four NextRoll leaders shared their stories in a Fireside Chat on March 21, 2022, which Patrick Mee, EVP of Engineering, and Phoebe Maio, RollWomen leader, facilitated.

The leaders included Cheryl Bisram, Director of Sales Enablement in the RollWorks division, Roli Saxena, NextRoll CEO, Ngozi Okeh, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Lindseyanne Frankenfield, the Head of Engineering in the RollWorks division. 

The panel shared many messages with attendees, including advice on how to step out of your comfort zone, “own” what you do, stand in your own power, build bridges for others, and embrace who you are.  

Conference Learning Circle

RollWomen sponsored 12 Rollers to attend the California Conference for Women on March 2, 2022. These Rollers heard from speakers including Mary J. Blige, Brené Brown, Dolores Huerta, and Eva Longoria. 

After the event, attendees shared their experiences and greatest takeaways with other Rollers in a post-conference learning circle hosted on March 15. 

A Conversation With Tatyana McFadden

RollWomen and RollAble, our ERG that supports Rollers who experience or are impacted by mental or physical health challenges, hosted a live conversation with Tatyana McFadden, a 20-time Paralympic medalist. In this one-on-one conversation with Rollers, she shared her journey of resilience and experience as a woman athlete. 

Super Soul Special Podcast Discussion

Rollers listened to the podcast Super Soul Special: Oprah and Michelle Obama: Your Life in Focus and joined a discussion circle on March 23, 2022, to talk about themes, reactions, and participate in the conversation. 

From the discussion, listeners took away some impactful insights. These included: never stop growing (no matter how old you are), create a space for women to come together and feel comfortable, own your happiness, lean on your friends, walk your own walk, and have gratitude. 

Modern Health Circles

Throughout the year, NextRoll partners with Modern Health to provide Rollers everywhere with culturally conscious mental health resources. During Women’s History Month, Modern Health hosted a variety of Circles – or live community sessions led by therapists and coaches – focused on women. Rollers were encouraged to participate during March. 

Slack Highlights: Women Trailblazers

Several members of NextRoll’s Engineering team highlighted women tech trailblazers throughout the month via Slack. Those highlighted in this year’s Women in Tech posts included Asma Ennaifer, Grazia Vittadini, Zahra Shah, Joana Breidenbach, Shinta Witoyo Dhanuwardoyo, Ivy Barley, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Gwynne Shotwell, Joy Buolamwini, Kathryn Minshew, and Lisa Opoku.

Although Women’s History Month is coming to a close, there’s never an end to celebrating and appreciating women in the workplace and at home.

“If you’re still looking for ways to celebrate Women’s History Month, here are some actions you can take all year long as an ally to support the women around you,” said Rachelle Geary, Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “Recognize the efforts, ideas, and successes of women on your team (and in your life), ensure the women around you are given the opportunity to speak, use inclusive language – remember this is about progress, not perfection – and proactively look for ways to be more inclusive and acknowledge unconscious biases.”

Learn more about RollWomen and NextRoll ERGs on our Culture page.