Written by Tanya Terry, with featured photo by Tanya Terry
Featured photo: Diana Thompson, the niece of Keynote Speaker Carrie Edwards-Clemons, who works for the city of Flint, in environmental compliance as a program manager, said she has been inspired by her aunt since her childhood.
The Flint & Genesee Group’s Women in Action (WIA) employee resource group, in collaboration with the Flint & Genesee Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Committee, hosted a luncheon on Wednesday, August 26, celebrating Women’s Equality Day with the theme ‘Together We Will.’
Sandra Etherly-Johnson, Flint & Genesee Group’s chief community engagement officer, shared that the event started four years ago with 25 to 30 women and has grown to approximately 280 attendees this year, evolving into a significant regional gathering for women’s equality.
Etherly-Johnson added: “My favorite thing about this event is it’s not just a regular luncheon. It’s not just a regular program. Women from all over the county are welcome to be here and share in this experience and really continue with this fight for equality.”
Three local leaders shared their stories.
Nancy Edwards, who worked for the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission for 24 years and now serves as an AFL-CIO labor liaison for United Way of Genesee County, discussed using her privilege and voice to uplift others and do what is right and just in her community.
Jillian Macy, a captain with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and only the second woman in the agency’s history to hold that rank, spoke about breaking barriers in male-dominated law enforcement. She discussed the importance of bringing authenticity and empathy to leadership, using femininity as a strength rather than hiding it, and her experience providing compassionate support during a tragic shooting at a local church.
Carrie Edwards-Clemons the first woman to hold several positions including deputy fire chief for the Flint Fire Department and fire chief for the Lansing Fire Department, shared her journey of overcoming adversity and discrimination in the fire service over 27 years.
She shared with the Courier that she started working at the fire department as a recently divorced single mother of two because it paid more than the work she previous did and also offered reimbursement for education.
Edwards-Clemons also highlighted the importance of lifting up other women and opening doors for those coming behind.
Edwards-Clemons, who is also president of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, Inc. stated: “There’s nothing a woman cannot do to me. There’s no such thing anymore as a male dominated profession. If there’s something that you want to do, put in the work and do it. Nobody can stop you but you.”
The speakers emphasized collective action, mentorship, authentic leadership and the necessity of women supporting one another across all sectors to achieve lasting change in equality and equity.
