It’s Women’s History Month!! We had the privilege of speaking with Cindu Thomas George, an Inclusion & Belonging Strategist, professor, and speaker. We’re discussing a hot topic that affects all of us—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). But lately, DEI has been under attack. Companies are rolling back programs, political leaders are using it as a weapon, and some people claim it’s no longer necessary. Cindu breaks down what’s happening in workplaces, why women are still fighting for a seat at the table, and how we can support one another.
But here’s the truth: If you are a woman, DEI protects you. And when we lift each other up, we ALL rise.
What is DEI and Why Does It Matter for Women?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) isn’t just a corporate trend—it’s a lifeline for women’s rights. It ensures that:
✅ Women have equal access to opportunities
✅ Women’s voices are heard in leadership spaces
✅ Marginalized women, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled women, aren’t left behind
But with DEI initiatives getting rolled back, we’re seeing a backslide in progress. Women—especially women of color—are facing fewer promotions, less representation in leadership, and even workplace hostility.
As Cindu says, “Make America Great Again” often means sending women back to where they were before empowerment.”
The “Broken Rung” Keeping Women Down
Ever heard of the broken rung? It’s the phenomenon where women, especially BIPOC women, struggle to get promoted at the early stages of their careers.
🚨 For every 100 men promoted, only 81 women move up.
🚨 For Latina women, it’s only 65.
🚨 For Black women, it’s just 54.
So while companies say they care about gender equality, their policies tell another story.
What Can We Do? Actionable Steps to Lift as We Climb
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but there’s so much we CAN do to support equity and inclusion in our daily lives.
💡 Mentor & Sponsor Other Women – Speak their names in rooms they aren’t in. Help them network. Offer them advice.
💡 Be Intentional About Where You Spend Your Money – Support women-owned businesses, BIPOC entrepreneurs, and LGBTQ+ brands.
💡 Advocate in the Workplace – If you’re in leadership, push for DEI initiatives and professional development for women.
💡 Call Out Sexism & Bias When You See It – Don’t be a silent bystander. Speak up when women are excluded or talked down to.
Cindu also runs the Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator, a program designed to empower women in leadership with professional development and networking opportunities.
Books That Will Challenge & Inspire You
We love a good book club pick! If you’re looking to deepen your knowledge on women’s rights and inclusion, check these out:
📚 Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot – Mikki Kendall
📚 The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table – Minda Harts
📚 Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead – Sheryl Sandberg
📚 Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the 21st Century – Alice Wong
📚 We Should All Be Feminists – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
More about Cindu Thomas-George
Cindu Thomas-George is the Founder of Shakti Training and an award-winning professor of Communication Studies at the College of Lake County. For the last twenty years she has designed and led professional development experiences that promote inclusion, equity, intercultural intelligence, and antiracism. She also partners with Northwestern’s Kellogg School for Nonprofit Management teaching and coaching on the topic of inclusive leadership. A recognized public speaker, Cindu is a member of the Comadres Speakers Collaborative.
Her dedication to inclusion transcends professional boundaries. Cindu is a co-founder of the Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator, a conference dedicated to increasing representation of women in leadership roles. She is also the founder of the South Asian Solidarity Movement, a social impact organization that creates educational opportunities and community building experiences designed to encourage a commitment to anti-oppression, inclusion, and cross racial solidarity. Furthermore, Cindu founded and currently co-leads the Women of Color Employee Resource Group at the College of Lake County.
Cindu resides in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood with her husband and children.
Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Rise Together
This episode wasn’t just about discussing problems—it was about finding solutions. When women support each other, we all rise.