This International Women’s Day, we’re being urged to Accelerate Action. But action starts with awareness: of the barriers women face, the biases they battle, and the words that leave a lasting impact.
Women have long been met with labels, assumptions, and criticism—sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant. These words can hold us back, push us forward, or reshape the way we lead.
So, we asked a group of female leaders:
What is one statement or label you’ve been given during your career that has stuck with you—particularly one with negative connotations, and how did it make you feel? How does this now play into your role today?
Their answers highlight frustration, resilience, and transformation. Some used these words as fuel to drive change. Some redefined them on their own terms. And some turned them into a mission to create a more inclusive, equitable future for the next generation of women.
We’re here to listen, reflect, and, most importantly, accelerate action.
Tessa Welsh
Head of Events – Which?
One comment that’s stuck in my head is being called a “silly little girl” in a mixed-level meeting by someone more senior as I started to grow in my career, which I hated at the time.
Since then, I’ve been so conscious to prove that wrong. I’ve grown my team of strong women, who deliver success and bring a wealth of knowledge to the table at all times. My team are now seen as the go-to team for crisis management, and I love that! I’m the youngest Head Of. I work with our senior stakeholders, including our CEO, leadership team and Board and Council in my role, which shows the trust in my expertise and my can-do attitude has really helped in my career progression.
Nendra van Wielink-Mohamed
Global Media Lead – Decathlon
“You won’t go far.” That one hit a nerve early in my career. Then came the critiques—“you’re too direct,” followed by the paradoxical “too detailed” or “not detailed enough.” And as I climbed the corporate ladder, I heard this one: “If you don’t know, you’re not senior enough.”
Each comment chipped away at my confidence. I started to believe I was doing something wrong—until I realised these were opinions, not facts. For a misfit and a rebel like me, these labels fuelled my inner determination to break free. I embraced my directness—it became my tool for clarity, cutting through ambiguity. The detail paradox? That turned into a strength; I learned to adapt with ease – from crunching data to strategies and execution. Bring it on! And as for the things I don’t know? They’re simply opportunities to grow.
These labels never held me back. I’ve learned that words only have power if we let them. So, why waste time on limiting labels? It’s time to flip the narrative and challenge outdated mindsets, and as female leaders, we must find our champions. It’s not hard to lift each other up to create a truly equitable workplace.
Dejanelle Peterkin
Senior Event Manager – Paylocity
One comment I’ve frequently received from colleagues and leadership who don’t share my background, is being called “well-spoken.” While often intended as a compliment, I find it offensive. I’ve built a successful career in corporate America, leading multi-million-dollar budgets and driving impactful initiatives. My ability to communicate effectively is unsurprising—it’s a key reason I’ve come this far.
Jenny Kitchen
CEO – Yoyo, Cofounder – Amplifi
Negative comments are difficult to hear, but I find they tend to be the catalyst that propels you forward. You agree with them, and you make a change, or you don’t, and you’re determined to prove otherwise. In a pitch for a fashion brand that offered tips about how to dress well, I was critiqued for dressing “older than my years”, and offered (unsolicited) advice on how I should dress. It stung, but there was a lot of truth in it as I was pretending to be the version of an MD that I thought I had to be (older / more serious / greyer). That comment freed me, and I started to be more authentic and more confident in just being me.
Victoria Baquero
Senior Field Marketing Manager EMEA – Emburse
One thing I’ve seen throughout my career is the assumption that events and marketing activations just “come together” without considering the strategy, logistics, and detailed planning behind them. My skill set and expertise have often been overlooked and underestimated.
At times, this mindset has been frustrating. Credit where credit’s due—I don’t want my hard work and talent to be brushed under the carpet. However, I’ve learned to navigate it by proactively showcasing the strategic thought process behind each decision and ensuring visibility into the complexity of the work. I continue to reinforce the importance of colleagues recognising hard work and craftsmanship, ensuring it doesn’t go unnoticed.
In the end, the difference is in the details. It’s those carefully planned elements that turn an ordinary experience into something truly memorable and impactful.