HCC 2026
Women’s History Month
Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future
As we come together to celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the collective strength, resilience, and transformative power of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership across generations.
The theme of this year’s Women’s History Month, inspired by the National Women’s History Alliance, is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” This theme honors the women who have and are reimagining and rebuilding systems to ensure long-term sustainability- environmental, economic, educational, and societal. It recognizes the powerful leadership of women in creating a future that is rooted in equity, justice, and opportunity for all.
From environmental advocacy to financial reform, from community organizing to policy innovation, women are at the forefront of driving holistic change.
Their leadership is not only addressing today’s most urgent challenges - it is laying the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive tomorrow.
Don’t miss this chance to engage in meaningful dialogue and honor to celebrate the women!
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We’re excited to celebrate with Dr. Jennie Walker, who develops leaders and organizations for success in complex, diverse global environments. For 20 years, she has provided executive education, coaching, and consulting on leadership, talent management, and organizational effectiveness to Fortune 500 companies, universities, and international clients. A widely published researcher and invited speaker, her work focuses on global leadership development, cross-cultural management, employee engagement, women’s leadership, and dynamic learning. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Denver, is an ICF-certified coach, and a Senior Professional in Human Resources.
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What does your participation in this celebration mean to you personally? I am deeply engaged in both research and active support of women through leadership development and coaching to thrive in the world. Thriving, to me, is defined by fulfillment in all major facets of life. Sharing in this celebration is an opportunity to further dialogue, reflection, and action in support of this mission.
Who/What inspires me: Oprah Winfrey has inspired me since I was 8 years old. I'd watch her after school every day, learning about other views and life experiences in the world and reflecting on my own development. She sparked an early curiosity in me for the world.
An interesting fact about me: I am a single, working mom to four bicultural children, including 3 girls. My vice is in fueling all of my children's interests through exploration and activities to help them form confidence and a well-rounded worldview early in life.
Anything else we should know? While I have been a long-time executive coach, I recently completed my life coaching certification and have found much joy in helping people chart their unique courses toward greater fulfillment in their lives and the achievement of their most treasured personal aspirations.
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Everything, produced by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, is a compelling look at gender disparities in media. While the focus is on a specific industry, the widespread impact of what is produced by this industry, shaping beliefs worldwide, is a pause for reflection.
Conversation Guide
Use the discussion questions to engage in meaningful conversations during Women’s History Month and beyond. These questions can help facilitate discussions that not only raise awareness but also lead to actionable insights and improvements in organizational practices.
Conversation Starters:
How do your different identities shape the way you lead on sustainability (environmental, economic, educational, and societal)?
What barriers, structural, cultural, and financial, have you faced as a woman leader, and how did you overcome them?
How do cultural norms in different regions shape the pathways women take to lead change?
Which talent-management strategies most effectively retain and advance diverse women leaders who drive sustainability goals?
What advice do you give senior HR and C-suite leaders who want to institutionalize practices that elevate women’s leadership for long-term resilience?
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Use these questions to drive your own reflection and exploration of the themes raised by the theme A Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future
We Recommend: Journaling is a great way to explore this topic! Pick 1-2 questions and free-write your thoughts. -
Want to engage your team? Slack, Teams, or your preferred digital conversation platform can be a great way to keep dialogue going. Try posing these questions in a group chat format. You might do 1 per day or 1-2 each week over the course of Black History Month.
We Recommend: Post the questions at consistent days and times so that your team knows when to expect them. -
You can combine the video and these discussion questions as a Lunch & Learn or All Hands experience for your organization.
We Recommend: Depending on the size of your organization, you may want to use the questions to have small group or table discussions and then invite groups to share with the larger team.
Resources
Celebrating Women's History Month in 20256offers a wealth of resources to honor and explore the contributions of women across various fields. Below is a curated list of podcasts, books, videos, films, and interactive learning experiences, including museum exhibits, to enrich your understanding and appreciation of women's history.
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Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani inspires women to embrace imperfection and take bold risks.
The History Chicks by Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider
A deep dive into the often-overlooked stories of remarkable women throughout history.
Can We Talk? by the Jewish Women's Archive
The Jewish Women’s Archive explores the voices and stories of Jewish women shaping history.
Harvard Business Review’s podcast tackling workplace challenges and leadership for women.
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The Confidence Code for Girls – Katty Kay & Claire Shipman
A guide to helping young girls embrace confidence and resilience.
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World – Rachel Ignotofsky
Celebrating trailblazing women in STEM.
Brave, Not Perfect – Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani challenges women to shed perfectionism and be fearless.
"The Women's History Toolkit 2025"
A comprehensive resource from the National Women’s History Alliance.
"Becoming Visible: Bringing American Women's History Into Focus" - Smithsonian American Women's History Museum
A Smithsonian collection highlighting women’s impact.
Wendy Gates Corbett explores the power of inclusion and belonging.
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"Let’s Talk About the Dream Gap"
A powerful look at how gender biases shape young girls’ ambitions.
"Unladylike2020" - American Alliance of Museums
Animated documentaries spotlighting pioneering women in history.
"Women Making Change" Series - Smithsonian American Women's History Museum
Smithsonian series featuring women who transformed society.
“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” - PBS: American Masters
An intimate portrait of the iconic author’s life and legacy.
Keep the Conversation Going!
Celebrating diversity and the amazing cultures that make up our society should not be limited to a day or even a month. We’ve already given you a few ideas, but here are even more ways that you can take the topics you explored in this WHM back to your team or organization.
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Listen to podcasts on this topic while you go for a walk.
Use the discussion questions as journal prompts for self-reflection.
Teach it–even if it’s to an empty room! Sometimes, saying things out loud can prompt you to think about a topic differently.
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Use the discussion questions during 1:1s.
Ask your direct report to lead a discussion using one of the questions.
Use the recommendations from the speaker panel to start a book club, watch club, or podcast club.
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Lunch & Learns: Explore new ideas and connect with others in a casual, interactive session—all during your lunch break. It’s a great way to dive deeper into meaningful topics, like the ones in this guide, while fostering conversation and collaboration with your team or organization.
Shared Narratives: Share personal and cultural stories related to this month’s theme through prompts or an open forum. This activity brings people together, sparks meaningful conversations, and celebrates the unique experiences that make you stronger as a team.
Collaborative Art Project: Work together to create a visual representation of the theme, such as a mural, collage, or digital art piece. This hands-on activity encourages creativity, teamwork, and meaningful discussions about the cultural and heritage topics being explored.
Black History Month
A Century of Black History Commemoration
As we come together to celebrate Black History Month, we honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of African American communities across the United States and beyond.
The theme of this year’s Black History Month, established by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, is “A Century of Black History Commemoration.”
2026 marks a century of national commemorations of Black history. Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, George Cleveland Hall, William D. Hartgrove, Jesse E. Moorland, Alexander L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps institutionalized the teaching, study, dissemination, and commemoration of Black history when they founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) on September 9, 1915.
Don’t miss this chance to engage in meaningful dialogue and honor the contributions of African Americans to society, past and present.
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We are excited to celebrate with Amira Barger, an award-winning EVP of Communications and Change Management and the author of the forthcoming book The Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck and 4 Actions for Real Change. A 2024 Woman of the Year and one of 50/50 Women on Boards’ Top 50 Women to Watch, Amira brings more than 18 years of global experience across healthcare, pharma, DEI, crisis and M&A communications, and social impact. As a scholar-practitioner and professor, she combines data-driven strategy, design thinking, and community mobilization to drive equity and meaningful action.
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What does your participation in this celebration mean to you personally? Black history is not something I visit once a year. It is the living context of my life, my work, and my leadership. Being part of this panel is an opportunity to honor the generations who made my presence possible while also telling the truth about what it still takes to lead, speak, and push for equity for people who look like me, and even those who do not, today.
Who/What inspires me: My 13-year-old daughter Audrey is the embodiment of everything I was taught to fear - I look up to her and love her fierceness in a world that tells young girls to shrink.
An interesting fact about me: I grew up on the remote island of Guam.
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Conversation Guide
Use the discussion questions to engage in meaningful conversations during Black History Month and beyond. These questions can help facilitate discussions that not only raise awareness but also lead to actionable insights and improvements in organizational practices.
Conversation Starters:
What do you think the early advocates of Black history observances wanted for future generations? How are we doing at meeting those expectations?
How do you believe acknowledging and learning from our history contributes to the empowerment of Black communities and the shaping of a more equitable future?
“A Century of Black History Commemoration.” What does “honoring Black history” look like in practice beyond February?
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Use these questions to drive your own reflection and exploration of the themes raised by the theme A Century of Black History Commemoration.
We Recommend: Journaling is a great way to explore this topic! Pick 1-2 questions and free-write your thoughts. -
Want to engage your team? Slack, Teams, or your preferred digital conversation platform can be a great way to keep dialogue going. Try posing these questions in a group chat format. You might do 1 per day or 1-2 each week over the course of Black History Month.
We Recommend: Post the questions at consistent days and times so that your team knows when to expect them. -
You can combine the video and these discussion questions as a Lunch & Learn or All Hands experience for your organization.
We Recommend: Depending on the size of your organization, you may want to use the questions to have small group or table discussions and then invite groups to share with the larger team.
Resources
For even more amazing examples of celebrating the Black community in media, art, and other forms of storytelling, check out these additional resources. Also, be sure to support Black businesses and creators!
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1619 by The New York Times: This podcast examines the long shadow of American slavery.
Code Switch by NPR: A podcast that tackles race from all angles.
Black History Year by PushBlack: A podcast that highlights little-known Black history stories.
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The Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck and 4 Actions for Real Change: Exposes how the cultural pressure to be agreeable ("nice") serves as a social construct for compliance, prioritizing comfort over progress and perpetuating systemic inequality
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson: An epic story of America's Great Migration.
A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross: A comprehensive history of Black womanhood in America.
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein: A forgotten history of how the government segregated America.
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Black in Space: Breaking the Color Barrier (Smithsonian Institute): A documentary exploring the untold story of the first African Americans to become astronauts.
13th (Ava DuVernay): A documentary that explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the nation's prisons.
Hidden Figures (20th Century Studios): The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
Keep the Conversation Going!
Celebrating diversity and the amazing cultures that make up our society should not be limited to a day or even a month. We’ve already given you a few ideas, but here are even more ways that you can take the topics you explored in this HCC back to your team or organization.
-
Listen to podcasts on this topic while you go for a walk.
Use the discussion questions as journal prompts for self-reflection.
Teach it–even if it’s to an empty room! Sometimes, saying things out loud can prompt you to think about a topic differently.
-
Use the discussion questions during 1:1s.
Ask your direct report to lead a discussion using one of the questions.
Use the recommendations from the speaker panel to start a book club, watch club, or podcast club.
-
Lunch & Learns: Explore new ideas and connect with others in a casual, interactive session—all during your lunch break. It’s a great way to dive deeper into meaningful topics, like the ones in this guide, while fostering conversation and collaboration with your team or organization.
Shared Narratives: Share personal and cultural stories related to this month’s theme through prompts or an open forum. This activity brings people together, sparks meaningful conversations, and celebrates the unique experiences that make you stronger as a team.
Collaborative Art Project: Work together to create a visual representation of the theme, such as a mural, collage, or digital art piece. This hands-on activity encourages creativity, teamwork, and meaningful discussions about the cultural and heritage topics being explored.