But that particularly rings true now in the U.S. as the urgency to establish gender parity across all leadership sectors is amplified as women’s cultural, economic, civil and human rights erode and are rescinded. This is at the same time as a popular fictional series articulates the reality almost too well.
In the new Hulu series, “The Testaments,” based on literary icon Margaret Atwood’s 2019 novel, the culture of the dystopian Gilead honors the glory of men, and the use of women mostly as heir-producing wives and mothers only—though some roles are for cooks, teachers and beekeepers.
Atwood, keynote speaker at Take The Lead’sPower Up Conference 2026 on Women’s Equality Day August 26, is eerily prescient about the strangling of reproductive rights and choice that are hallmarks of 2026 in this country. Her work also echoes the gender biased claims in power chambers across the world.
Emma Grede Is Saying It Out Loud; And I'm Loving It
Full disclosure: I'm still listening to Emma Grede’s new and already bestselling book,Start With Yourself. Haven't finished it. But I've heard enough — and watched the Internet melt down enough — to start the conversation now. More posts will follow.
Emma Grede grew up poor in East London, dropped out of school at 15, is openly dyslexic, and built a $400 million empire starting with unpaid internships (which she thinks there should be more of) and sheer will, for which she thanks the challenges of her early life.
I didn’t set out to challenge the food system; I just couldn’t ignore what I was seeing. Early on, it became clear that farmers carry the most risk yet hold the least power, often the last to be paid and the first to absorb loss. That didn't sit right with me.
Instead of trying to succeed within that flawed structure, I stepped outside of it. I built a direct-to-consumer model at Foxhollow so we could price food in a way that reflects the work, the care, and the life behind it. I’ve made a point to speak openly about what’s broken, because pretending it works helps no one.
Power Up 2026: Audacity, Leadership in ActionendsApril 30--
and this is not the year to sit it out.
On Women's Equality Day, August 25 and 26, in Washington, D.C., Take The Lead brings together women leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and changemakers for two days built around one conviction: audacity gets results.
Here's what's waiting for you: August 25: Full Experience - Femme Art Fair, Reception, Dinner + Opening Concert The evening kicks off with art, community, and a live concert
August 26: The Conference Keynote by Margaret Atwood. Leadership panels. The SHEposium Marketplace. The Power Tool Champion Awards. Close-out dance party with BETTY - the genre-defying trio who've been making noise and making history for decades. Because audacity deserves a celebration.
This is the year Power Up goes big, and early-bird pricing is how you get in before the room fills up.
Conference Only: $297 | Full Experience (both days): $1,250 | Bring a Friend: $497 for two
BECOMING HER: 50 WOMEN EQUIPPED TO LEAD THE CHANGE with Catherine Alonzo Wednesday, May 20 | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Avant 121 | 121 E Buchanan St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Join Take The Lead for an intimate leadership luncheon featuring Catherine Alonzo, co-founder and CEO of Javelina and author ofThe Changemaker's Toolkit. Catherine has helped advance some of the most consequential movements of our time, and she's bringing her framework directly to you. At this gathering, she'll go deep on the vision pillar: what it means to name the change you're committed to, and how to build the path toward it. Every woman in the room will leave with something concrete.
Your Investment $50| Includes lunch and a signed copy of Catherine Alonzo'sThe Changemaker's Toolkit Seats are limited. Register today.
Women Still Making Less
The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced this week: "Median weekly earnings of the nation's 121 million full-time wage and salary workers were $1,235 in the first quarter of 2026. This was 3.4 percent higher than a year earlier. Women had median weekly earnings of $1,098, or 80.6 percent of the $1,362 median for men.Among the major race and ethnicity groups, median earnings of full-time workers who are Hispanic ($984) or Black ($985) were lower than those who are White ($1,263) or Asian ($1,589)."
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.
