Emily Maupai Zinberg - 03/11/2025
In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (IWD), the ladies of 3E PR would like to share our thoughts and call out the women of past and present, reality and fiction who have left their indelible mark on us.
Over 170 years ago, the Seneca Falls Woman’s Rights Convention forged an alternate path for women and began the long and arduous movement to achieve more equal rights.
If you ask Google’s Ai, now relying more on “structured data”, “when did the women’s rights movement start and end?,” the returned answer is “beginning in the mid-1800s and continuing into the present day.” That means women are still fighting for their rights this year, this month, this week, right now.
As women continue to improve our world, we’d like to honor two centuries of perseverance and incredible contributions to business, science, math, healthcare, literature, politics, entertainment and more from inspiring women that dared to veer from the “beaten” path.
In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (IWD), the ladies of 3E PR would like to share our thoughts and call out the women of past and present, reality and fiction who have left their indelible mark on us.
Megan Redzia
What does IWD mean to you?
While International Women’s Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history, it is also a reminder that we need to continue advocating for gender equality to support the future of the young girls around us. I am so grateful for all the women who paved the way so I could be afforded the opportunities I have today, and we must continue those efforts to create positive change for the next generation.
Can you share any names of real-life women who inspire you?
When I was growing up, my mom always seemed to perfectly balance her career with making me feel like I was her #1 priority. She never missed a single soccer game, field trip, or school event despite having a full-time job that often required her time at night and on weekends. Now that I have kids, I realize she probably didn’t feel balanced at all because let’s be honest, do any of us working moms? But I never felt that impact and that inspires me every day. It’s why I chose a career and a company that gives me the flexibility and support I need to put my kids first.
I’ve also been blessed throughout my life to be surrounded by powerhouse women that inspire me every day – aunts, cousins, college roommates, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and now an amazing group of mom friends I lean on daily.
Can you share your favorite heroine from a movie, tv show or book?
My favorite female book and movie heroine is Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. Not only does she use her intelligence to overcome challenges and defy odds, but she is fiercely devoted to her friends. I think she sets a great example for young girls by demonstrating that you shouldn’t be afraid to show your intelligence, voice your opinion, or be different than others.
Can you share a moment when you felt empowered?
Being asked to be a partner at 3E PR was one of my most empowering moments. Part of that empowerment was having my dedication and efforts recognized, but more importantly, it was the realization that 3E PR President Patrick Brightman trusted me to be part of the agency’s future.
What advice would you give to your younger female self?
I would tell myself to spend more time living in the moment. I was always looking ahead to the next step in life and worrying about doing the right thing to get myself there. All stages of being a woman are incredible despite challenges you might face during them, and it’s important to appreciate that.
Lee Groeger
What does IWD mean to you?
In the past, I honestly never thought too much about it in a “real” way. Today, the idea of not thinking about what it means to be a woman seems like a bit of a luxury. For better or worse, the significance of International Women’s Day is much heavier than ever before. I think IWD should be a day for every person to spend even just a moment reflecting on what women across the globe have accomplished socially, economically, culturally, and politically. But instead of thinking about what all those contributions mean for the whole world, maybe just think about how any one of those things has impacted you, personally.
Can you share any names of real-life women who inspire you?
For whatever reason, I find myself surrounded by women—from my mom to my co-workers, friends and neighbors – whose skillsets and drive are SO different from my own that I can’t help but be inspired. In all honesty, there are times when that can feel like inadequacy or envy, but other times it allows me to see a different perspective or a possibility I might not have recognized without their example, and I find that very inspiring!
Can you share your favorite heroine from a movie, tv show or book?
The first person who comes to mind is Matilda! It was one of my favorite stories as a kid, and is now one of my daughters’ favorites, as well. Re-reading it as an adult, I sometimes wonder why I loved it so much—there are some ROUGH moments—but I think what probably resonated with me, without my even realizing it, was her resilience. I think it’s one of the most elusive, and therefore, magical things a woman (or any person) can be.
Can you share a moment when you felt empowered?
I don’t know if I’ve ever felt—or will every feel again—as empowered as I did when I had my kids. I think this dovetails with my earlier comment about resilience. I felt like a superhero!
Why do you love being a woman?
If I’m being honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever thought, “I love being a woman!” It’s beautiful and challenging and fun and heartbreaking in all kinds of weird and wonderful ways. Maybe getting to experience everything that comes with being a woman in one lifetime is the thing I should love about it.
Amy Stern
What does IWD mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the accomplishments of women.
Can you share any names of real-life women who inspire you?
My mother inspires me every day. She is 90 years old and extremely socially active. She is a member of a large book club and was nominated to lead the book discussion when the regular leader was absent, guiding lively conversation and debate among women who are at least 40 years younger than her. She also plays mahjong twice a week. She is interested in people of all ages and after selling her home of sixty years and moving to a brand-new community, continues to maintain lifelong friendships while forging new ones.
Can you share your favorite heroine from a movie, tv show or book?
My heroine from the book, “In Love and War,” is Sybil Stockdale. During the 8 years that her husband was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, she created the National League of Families of American Prisoners, fighting to bring national attention to the plight of POW’s. Sybil fought tirelessly to shine a spotlight on the struggles facing POW families, forcing the U.S. government to publicly speak out against the inhumane treatment of American POWs and to pressure North Vietnam to treat them humanely, as prescribed by the Geneva Conventions—all while raising 4 boys by herself.
Can you share a moment when you felt empowered?
When my children were very young, my husband was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. I became the caregiver for him and my children and had to take on all my responsibilities in addition to responsibilities that my husband could no longer assume. As a way to blow of stress, I started running—25 years later I still remember the feeling of empowerment when I crossed the finish line after my first 5K.
What advice would you give to your younger female self?
Don’t worry so much about what others in your peer group think. Be confident in your own values and convictions and if you let them guide you, most times everything will turn out to be OK.
Katy Smith
What does IWD mean to you?
To me, International Women’s Day is a reminder of how bad*** women are. Despite facing gender inequalities in our day-to-day lives, we persist. So, today is a day to recognize women’s achievements, our role in society, and to continue advocating for gender equality.
Can you share any names of real-life women who inspire you?
My 84-year-old great Aunt Rose has inspired me since I was a little girl and continues to inspire me to this day! She grew up in Newark with her parents and three siblings and was always so driven by education and helping others.
In her 20’s, she worked two jobs in addition to teaching High School Chemistry, just to be able to take a few classes at a community college. As a single woman, her independence, confidence, and drive allowed her to keep following her dream job of teaching chemistry.
She has always shown me that while women face more roadblocks than men do, we don’t need anyone but ourselves, motivation, and confidence to get to where we want to be in life.
Can you share your favorite heroine from a movie, tv show or book?
Evelyn Hugo, from “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, is not necessarily considered a “heroine”, more so a “flawed heroine.”
Evelyn, a fictional Hollywood icon, is an empowered, self-made woman who takes control of her own destiny in a male-dominated industry by challenging traditional norms.
While her behavior can be seen as controversial, I think it’s important to look past that and understand that her character represents the role, experiences, and challenges that women face in our society- especially in the entertainment industry. Her ambition, strategic decision-making, and ability to control her public image rather than letting the media define her, reflects a form of empowerment.
Can you share a moment when you felt empowered?
It’s hard to pinpoint just one specific moment because there have been many moments, small and big, that have made me feel empowered. A few moments that stand out are:
- Graduating from both undergrad and grad school as a first-generation student
- Holding hands / showing affection with my girlfriend in public
- Signing my first lease to an apartment
What advice would you give to your younger female self?
Reflecting on my teenage and early college years, I wish I was more secure in who I was and embraced my individuality. Although it’s easier said than done, I would give my younger female self the advice to lead each day with confidence and to be true to myself. You’ll spend less time catering to others, and more time catering to yourself.
Emily Zinberg
What does IWD mean to you?
Despite all the gender conformities our society has broken free from, there are still remnants of stereotypical expectations and commentary for both men and women. We experience this in conversation, online, in the news, at work and at home. I don’t think all of it is necessarily negative, but, to me, International Women’s Day is a reminder for us to stop and appreciate the strengths of women that break beyond outdated expectations – including personal, professional, emotional, and physical. And, to challenge our own perspectives; what one person views as weakness, can really be quite powerful.
Can you share any names of real-life women who inspire you?
In difficult situations, I often ask myself how my Grammy and my own mother would navigate their way through it. They both are two of the most kind and generous women I’ve encountered, filled with grace, empathy and effortless care for all people they encountered.
There are many people who see those attributes as weakness that enable poor behavior from others to continue and flourish, which I understand. But I do believe that, more often than not, offering more understanding and grace to others can help them conquer whatever internal battles they’re fighting on their own.
Can you share your favorite heroine from a movie, tv show or book?
With much influence from my own mother and sisters, I am an avid admirer of the author Jane Austen and almost all of her works. While living in time when women were not allowed to boast strong opinions or have much say in their own destinies, she wrote stories and characters that shed great light upon the strengths of women, despite the societal constraints. Through wit and wisdom, her words and unforgettable heroines continue to support women’s rights and charisma to this day through television and film adaptations of her works.
Can you share a moment when you felt empowered?
When I returned from my first maternity leave, I knew that I had become more confident and empowered than I had ever been in my life. During my three months at home with my newborn baby I faced and conquered the challenges of becoming a new mother, including the expected exhaustion, but also postpartum depression and a few bouts of mastitis while nursing my son.
Initially I thought I may “fall behind” professionally but I was able to come back to work stronger because, in the comparison to being a first-time parent, I was assured that my role as a social media professional was something I knew how to do. And I do it damn well.
What advice would you give to your younger female self?
If I were to give my younger self advice it would be to just be myself and, most importantly, love myself. Some of the attributes I thought made me strange because I was different from my friends, ended up being the things I loved most about myself as an adult.
And finally, to quote my Grammy, I’d remind myself, “Don’t sweat the small shit.”
Angela Crawford
What does IWD mean to you?
IWD is a day to celebrate women’s accomplishments. Women’s roles are often overlooked or underappreciated it, especially in today’s climate. If a woman makes a mistake, it is perceived as she never should have held the role/position, her qualifications don’t match that of a man, or just because of her gender. We need to continue to celebrate the accomplishments of women to continue to inspire others to reach their goals.
Can you share any names of real-life women who inspire you?
Women inspire me every day – my friends, family, colleagues. If I had to highlight one woman whose been an inspiration to me, it would be my friend Suzanne Barron. She lost her 9-year-old son to Leukemia and as a parent, I don’t know how I would have moved on from that tragic loss. I witnessed her grief and then the slow rebuild of her life, with joy and happiness returning. She inspires me every day to look past the hard times.
Can you share your favorite heroine from a movie, tv show or book?
I would say Shonda Rhimes not because she is a heroine, but she creates lead female characters that are strong and bad-ass.
Can you share a moment when you felt empowered?
Recently, I overheard my 20 something year old daughter describing me, and she said I was one of the strongest people she knew. To be validated by your child is an incredibly proud moment. I find strength in knowing I am a good role model for my daughter and that she looks up to me.
Why do you love being a woman?
There are some things that you can only share with other women. Whether it is dealing with a spouse, child, health issues, work, etc.— our shared experiences. The circle of women I have surrounded myself with supports me, inspires me, lifts me up and together we gain strength from one another.