Take A Girl to Work

“Millions of girls have been exposed to opportunities and ideas they might have missed otherwise,” says Nell Merlino. She’s talking about Take Our Daughters to Work Day. Celebrated one week from today and created in 1992 by Merlino as part of Gloria Steinem’s Ms. Foundation for Women, it aims to help girls become more visible, valued and heard.

“I meet young women all the time who have wonderful stories about what they learned on [this day] which led to their current career,” says Merlino. She also heads up Count Me In, a nonprofit that provides resources for women business owners to reach the million-dollar mark.

The idea came to her after attending her father’s retirement dinner and reflecting on all she’d learned during her days working with him. “I left that dinner and went home

to write a five-page plan for what became Take Our Daughters to Work Day.” 

Want more?

Companies that sponsor and participate in the holiday include New York Life, Macy’s, MetLife, Estée Lauder and Katz Media Group.

Celebrate by taking a daughter, friend’s daughter, niece or mentee into your office or workplace. “Show her what you do, introduce her to your friends, coworkers and bosses. Girls will learn a lot from you when they go to work with you!” Merlino adds.

Bonus PINK Link: Find out why Lisa Price decided to name her company “Carol’s Daughter” in our exclusive profile.

By Caroline Cox

“The biggest emerging market in the world isn’t a country.
It’s women.”  Andrea Jung, chairman and CEO of Avon Products