Finding My Voice: Why Women’s History Month is Important to Me — By Vannessa Fusi

As Women’s History Month begins, I have been wondering why it is personally important to me, a female marketer and artist. When I reflect on growing up, many of my concrete childhood memories relate to how strongly my education was encouraged - and often enforced - by my mother. As a young girl and an outspoken artist, the last thing I wanted to think about was schoolwork. It took me many years to recognize that my mother’s focus on academics wasn’t a way of punishing me, but rather ensuring I had opportunities she was never granted. In many ways, I credit my free-spirit and marketing career to the woman who has had my back each step of the way: my mother.

My mother grew up in a conservative Hispanic household that instilled principles that a woman’s place was in the kitchen - being a humble wife and mother – and a man’s opinion was more important than a woman’s voice. I believe I have the greatest mother of all time, but the sacrifices she made for others muted her own voice. Because her education was not supported when she was younger, I watched my mother struggle working a full-time job and raising my sister and me, while simultaneously going back to school to earn her college teaching certificate and coming home to make sure there was a hot meal on the table. If I ever wanted to see a superheroine in action, it was her. Whether she recognized it at the time or not, her actions illustrated to her daughters the importance of the female voice and perseverance. What I learned from watching my mother is to never let fear of failure stop you from achieving - or more importantly, voicing - your dreams, regardless of your circumstances.

I feel fortunate to have a loud voice in a room when many generations before me did not. Those women, whose struggles and triumphs helped give today’s women their voices, are why we celebrate Women’s History Month. Women like trailblazer Civil Engineer, Nora Stanton, artist Gladys Bentley, or a beloved teacher like my mother - these are three pioneers among countless who helped women like me become marketers, architects, engineers, astronauts, doctors, educators, artists, athletes, and even the first female Vice President of the United States. We celebrate our fore-sisters for their brave spirits and today we continue raising our voices for equality - and equity - in pay and healthcare, and we still fight for a seat at the board table.

My mother taught me how to have a strong voice and be a kind leader. She may not have been raised in the way she raised her daughters, but she raised us to be strong, independent, fierce women. My childhood, the young girl artist that I was, and the female artist I am today, have all shaped my marketing career in the AEC industry. I tackle each challenge with that same fierceness that was instilled in me decades ago, while also maintaining an openness to change.

Whether a woman’s life’s dream is a demanding nine-to-five career or being a fulltime mother, both are equally relevant and vital – and most importantly, an individual choice. A choice that did not come freely, but a choice that was brazenly fought for.

Looking at Women’s History Month through a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) lens, the truth is that there are still many women without equal opportunities, let alone equal pay. Women’s History Month isn’t just to shine light on the past but put a spotlight on the issues that we are still facing. As a culture, we need to continue to voice, march, and fight for women who aren’t provided fair opportunities. I am extremely passionate about giving these women the chances they rightfully deserve, and because of this I am grateful to be part of SMPS Seattle. Not only does our organization recognize the various social issues of our region, but as a collective, we are actively trying to make a positive impact in individuals’ lives. Women’s History Month is important to me because I want to be part of this positive change and the amplification of women’s voices in the AEC industry. We are the change we want to see for others down the line.

As we look to the future of our industries – locally, nationally, and globally - we must continue to raise up our fellow sisters. We must not become complacent in our pioneering efforts, because there is still work to be done for our future generation of female leaders. To quote Michelle Obama, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s the power of using your voice.” 

Let’s remember to build each other up and use our voices to make a difference for the women today and our future female leaders of tomorrow. With these efforts we will not only be celebrating Women’s History, but we’ll be also writing it.

Vannessa Fusi (Van) is the Regional Marketing Manager at Säzän Group, Inc. in Seattle and current co-chair of SMPS Seattle’s newly-founded DEI Committee. She has 14 years’ experience as a marketer with nearly a decade in the AEC industry. With a passion for marketing and a drive to lead in an ever-changing industry, Van is excited to continue learning from her fellow AEC marketers and building successful partnerships through SMPS.