Each year on August 26, we pause to honor Women’s Equality Day, which commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. This day is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go, within our own industry of public relations and beyond.
As professionals in a field that shapes narratives, influences culture and builds reputations, we understand that language matters. Representation matters. And access matters. This year, Women’s Equality Day invites us to celebrate progress, while acknowledging the systemic barriers that still prevent full gender equity in the workplace.
At PRSA, we turned to senior women across our community to share what Women’s Equality Day means to them as communications leaders. Their reflections point to a truth we all carry: that PR practitioners have the power and position to uplift women.
Women’s voices are essential in our industry.
For Carly Mednick, chief operating officer at Monday Talent, equality in PR is inseparable from opportunity. “Storytelling and influence are at the heart of the PR and communications industry, making it essential that women have a seat at the table shaping narratives, driving strategy and leading teams,” she shared. “Equality isn’t just about representation, it’s about ensuring that women are given the same access to leadership, mentorship and growth, while breaking down systemic barriers like pay gaps and biases in promotion.”
The call to address these gaps is echoed by Carmella Glover, CEO of the Diversity Action Alliance. “Even in an industry that is 70 percent female, we still cannot celebrate equal pay, gender parity in leadership or the election of a female president,” she explained. “Women’s Equality Day reminds me that as long as inequities remain, so does our opportunity to drive change. When we stand united, allowing our commonalities to transcend our differences and our differences to strengthen our cause, women become an unstoppable force.”
In PR, we often pride ourselves on giving voice to others. Yet as Dr. Selena A. Ramkeesoon, chief staff officer for communications at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, pointed out, we must also look inward. “The stories we choose to tell, and who we invite to tell them, shape what society values. That gives us both power and responsibility to ensure that women’s voices, especially those at the margins, are not only heard but lead the conversation,” she shared. “Equality in our field starts with recognizing whose perspectives have been excluded and committing to changing that narrative.”
Beyonce the presence of women in leadership, Women’s Equality Day is about building a culture where all women, including those from marginalized communities, are seen, supported and celebrated. Justine Mrsich, M.S., APR, Co-Chair of PRSA’s Hispanic-Latino Affinity Group, emphasized the importance of bringing identity and culture into the conversation. “True equality means uplifting diverse cultural perspectives and making them visible, valued and central to how we communicate. It’s about ensuring that women’s voices across all communities are not just heard, but elevated and embraced.”
Visibility without equity is not progress.
For Montrie Rucker Adams, APR, chief visibility officer of Visibility Marketing Inc., this day also offers a moment to honor the history that paved the way. “As a communications professional, its meaning must be widely shared so its impact is felt and understood. As a woman, it reminds us never to take for granted the fight for the right to vote. As a Black woman, I remain mindful and vigilant against efforts to turn back the clock to a time when neither women nor Black Americans had that fundamental right.”
And while the past is our foundation, the future is our responsibility. Nikki Lopez, senior vice president at Boden Agency, reflected on how Women’s Equality Day reinforces our collective duty to help others rise. “As a Latina PR executive, working for a nationally recognized Latina-founded agency, I understand the privilege and responsibility of lifting others as I climb. That means advocating for women — especially those whose talent, intelligence, and commitment deserve a seat at the table — to rise, lead and thrive in top roles across our field.”
Yet, support is not symbolic. It must be sustained year-round. Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR, CEO of Siarza, shared the importance of PR professionals coming together to drive change. “Our industry is stronger because of the diverse voices, perspectives, and talents that shape it every day. Equality isn’t just about who’s at the table — it’s about ensuring every voice is heard and valued. When we support one another, amplify each other’s work and open doors for those who come next, our entire profession grows.”
To rise together, we must also redefine what power and leadership look like. Lilly Cortés Wyatt, founder and principal of SociosPR, highlighted how the PR industry offers a platform to lead with both presence and purpose. “Women’s Equality Day is a reminder that our voices do shape the world, and that we don’t have to raise them to prove our value. It’s about knowing your worth, owning your expertise and recognizing that your lived experiences are part of your professional power,” she shared. “I’m proud to be part of a generation of women who are not only lifting their own voices, but also creating space for others to be heard. That’s equality in action”
So where do we go from here?
We move forward by creating more intentional pathways for women to grow, lead and thrive in every corner of our profession. That includes advocating for equitable access to leadership roles, fostering mentorship programs that empower the next generation, and ensuring that women are supported at every stage of their careers.
As PR professionals, we are uniquely positioned to champion equity through the stories we tell, the teams we build and the values we reinforce. That means promoting inclusive workplace cultures, offering guidance to emerging talent and being visible advocates for each other’s success.
Most important, we must continue to use our collective voice not just to reflect the world as it is, but to help shape it into what it should be. When we champion women in communications, we unlock the full creative, strategic and leadership potential of our industry.
Because when women rise, our profession rises with them.
Sabrina Browne is co-chair of the PRSA DEI Committee.
Illustration: designervector
