Suffice it to say very few people in this country do one 9 to 5 job. Most everyone has a side gig, hustle, dip into entrepreneurship, or just a practical way to fill the economic gaps with rising prices and stagnating salaries. And the threat that AI may eliminate some or all of what they do for income makes the appeal of side hustles real.
Women are doing more of this, (more in younger generations) out of desire, necessity or boredom, and often generating less income than men. The gender pay gap applies to side hustles as well. So do you always get more when you’re doing more?
Shecession or SheChange: Why Are Women Leaving Workplaces?
Issue 2876— February 23, 2026
Have you heard the saying that there are lies, damn lies, and statistics? One harmful statistic making the rounds is that women are leaving the workforce in droves.
That story is incomplete at best and misleading at worst. Hundreds of thousands of women have been pushed out of their jobs involuntarily. Other women have indeed chosen to leave the workplace that wasn’t working for them, but most of those haven’t stopped working.
The Power To Change What Happens When Women’s Health Stops Being a Whisper
By Tatiana McDaniel
Talking about things most people were taught not to is literally my day job. Vaginal health. Odor. Intimacy. These are the kinds of topics that still make people whisper, and honestly, that’s exactly why we’re loud and proud about them at Happy V.
Every day, women reach out with stories that stop me in my tracks. They’ve been told by doctors their symptoms were “probably stress,” or made to feel embarrassed about something completely normal happening with their bodies. Some have even been shamed by partners who don’t understand what an unbalanced microbiome is. Those stories remind me why our work matters, because if we’re not speaking up, we’re letting the stigma win.
We're celebrating by opening doors to the 9 Leadership Power Tools. A 13-module learning experience for women who want bigger, better, more aligned work—and the community to support them in building it.
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Whether you're navigating a career transition, starting a business, or aiming to take a higher level of influence in your company, the tools you use will make all the difference.
Take The Lead’s 9 Leadership Power Tools course and community = your secret sauce.
(Don’t let a temporary pause in your career stop your long-term ambition. Our mission is to support all women. Scholarships are available.) Apply
Join Rosser Goodman, American filmmaker, TV writer, philanthropist and Take The Lead Power Tool Champion of Power Tool # 2: Define Your Own Terms, in conversation with Felicia Davis, founder of Haus of Vocal Empowerment.
You can thank Alysia Liu, the Women's Hockey Team and so many more."For 20 years, Team USA’s success has been fueled by the podium power of its female athletes in Summer Games. Now, the trend is shifting to the Winter Games." This year in Milan Cortina, women's medals outpace men at more than 2 to 1. Read the full report.
Take The Lead prepares, develops, inspires, and propels all women of all diversities and intersectionalities to take their fair and equal share of leadership positions across all sectors. Learn more at www.taketheleadwomen.com.
