Celebrate International Women’s Day with ISPE’s Women in Pharma
With well over a century of history and change, the first International Women's Day was held in March 1911. International Women's Day is a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all those committed to forging women's equality.
The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. Inspiring others to understand and value women's inclusion leads to a better world. When women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Collectively, ISPE seeks to champion the cause of forging a more inclusive world for women.
A Note from the Chair of ISPE’s Women in Pharma® International Steering Committee, Vivien Santillan
Today, as we commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #InspireInclusion, we acknowledge the remarkable accomplishments and invaluable contributions of women across ISPE, and the pharmaceutical industry at large. Witnessing the expanding representation within our industry fills me with hope and determination as we continue to drive the mission and vision of Women in Pharma on the international and local level: a pharmaceutical industry free of biases and stereotypes where diversity of thought thrives.
Serving as your International Chair is a great honor, and I look forward to connecting and working closely with each of you. As we embark on this collective journey, I am steadfast in my commitment to nurturing an environment where the richness of diverse perspectives thrives, where biases find no sanctuary, and where stereotypes are confronted head-on. Though ambitious, this is possible, especially with the commitment of so many incredible pharma professionals like yourselves.
True transformation requires a united front—a symphony of voices, perspectives, and experiences harmonizing to inspire meaningful change. Each one of us, regardless of title or tenure, holds a vital role in shaping the future of our industry—a future characterized by inclusivity, equity, and unwavering integrity.
Together, let us embark on this journey of progress and possibility, guided by the principles of empathy, understanding, and shared purpose. With unity as our beacon and inclusivity as our compass, we can surmount any obstacle and chart a course toward a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.
Let us carry forward the spirit of #InspireInclusion in all our endeavors, this International Women’s Day and beyond.
With gratitude and solidarity,
Ways to Get Involved as a Member of Women in Pharma
Once ISPE members have joined Women in Pharma, there are a variety of opportunities to drive impactful change and foster a more inclusive pharmaceutical industry. Membership involvement is the catalyst for shaping industry standards, ensuring equal opportunities, and creating a workplace where every effort is equally recognized.
- Connect Locally: Join the local Women in Pharma group through a local Affiliate or Chapter.
- International Engagement: Attend Women in Pharma sessions, workshops, and events at ISPE’s six international conferences. To get a sense of the powerful discussions that unfold at these events, read this blog post with inspirational quotes from a Women in Pharma panel on leadership agility, innovation, talent management, leadership and collaboration in changing times, and more: “20 Important Quotes That Will Change Your Company Culture: ISPE’s Women in Pharma Leaders Focus on Leadership Agility and Inclusivity at the 2023 ISPE Pharma 4.0 and Annex 1 Conference.”
- Share Your Insights: Contribute to ISPE’s iSpeak Blog by writing content focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace. Explore content parameters and learn how to submit a blog post.
- Amplify on LinkedIn: Members can share their membership with ISPE’s Women in Pharma on their LinkedIn profiles. They can share images, stories, or motivational quotes to inspire networks to get involved. Include the hashtag #InspireInclusion #ISPE and #WomenInPharma to gain more traction to posts.
- Virtual Networking: Participate in Mentor ISPE, ISPE's mentorship program, designed by current Women in Pharma members, for a virtual networking experience connecting pharmaceutical professionals across borders.
- Support the Cause: Consider making a donation to the ISPE Foundation to support programmatic efforts and scholarships. Contribute a gift to Women in Pharma today.
Everyone’s involvement matters—empower change, inspire inclusion, and shape the future of the pharmaceutical industry.
About the Authors
