Harvard professor and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich coined the phrase “well-behaved women seldom make history” in 1976.

“This quote reminds us that progress has always been driven by those willing to challenge the status quo from the [suffragists] fighting for our right to vote, to the women today, right now, advocating for our equality,” said Kathy Tucker, board president for Women of Toledo.

“Change has come from those who refuse to be silenced,” she said.

With more than 350 in attendance on Monday at the Renaissance Toledo Hotel, Women of Toledo hosted its International Women’s Luncheon, an annual event that celebrates the achievements of women while fostering initiatives that advance gender equality.

“But making history isn’t just about rebellion, it is about our willingness to stand,” Mrs. Tucker said. “This serves as a reminder that progress is never made by pushing others down. It is only made by lifting up, and as women that is something that we have mastered.”

This year’s theme, Accelerate Action: Support the Supporters, sought to highlight the importance of collaboration and mentorship in impacting women’s advancements.

Sheila Eason, founder and chief executive officer of the leadership development firm Elevate People Solutions, served as moderator for the conversation with a diverse panel of women.

“As we gather here today, we recognize that progress for equality is never guaranteed,” Mrs. Eason said. “It requires constant effort, advocacy, and collective action.”

Recent federal policies and decisions like rollbacks of reproductive rights, attempts at disrupting workplace protections, and challenges with health-care access and equal pay serve to remind women that the fight for equality is ongoing, she said.

“Today, we focus on how we can continue to accelerate action for gender equality, not just by empowering women, but by supporting the supporters,” Mrs. Eason said.

Panelists included native Haitian Gracie Xavier of Global Detroit, an economic development group that supports immigrant women and global artisans; Athena Golianis, born in Greece, founder of PINKK NOW LLC, a marketing and branding agency in Chicago; and Nicky Sulandari, born in Indonesia, a financial adviser and founder of Collaborative Chambers Alliance in Cleveland.

Ms. Xavier highlighted the resilience of women and the need to focus on self-care to support families and communities.

“I think there’s a lot of distraction happening right now, but making sure we’re taking care of ourselves, because in order for us to do that, for our family, our children, our community, we have to be whole and well,” she said. “So when we talk about women’s equality, I talk about creating a space where a woman thrives, both spiritually and physically in health.”

While “women supporting women” is important, Ms. Xavier also said it is equally important to raise a generation of men who support and value women.

“I would say, in order for us to achieve true gender equality, it needs to start at home because I remember that the expectations for my brothers and myself were totally different,” she said. “And even though my dad is 92 years old, bless his soul, he still has the same opinion of me now … that he had when I was a child, and I consider myself a very accomplished woman, and my brother the same.”

Respect is the key, she said.

“It’s the respect for women’s contributions, starting at home and teaching our young men to value their mother’s voice, their sister’s voice, their aunt’s voice, because it does translate into the boardroom,” she said.

Ms. Golianis stressed the need for action — for women to speak out once they have a seat at the table.

“When you’re there, don’t just watch men eat, be ready to deliver and take a leadership role,” she said. “Because if we’re not there to speak of our needs and what we need to succeed, then change won’t happen.”

“The other thing is equal pay. We only get paid 84 percent of what men make. If we keep on this trajectory, it’s going to take five generations — your daughter’s daughter’s daughter’s daughter — to get there. We need to change that. And things are going the wrong way,” Ms. Golianis said.

Through her organization, Ms. Sulandari works with about 3,000 businesses, organizations, individuals, and professional firms to elevate the voices of women, work that could not have been possible without mentorship, she said.

“Mentors or supporters are really, really crucial for me to get this far. There was only one person ... that was really a true believer of my idea, my mission, and my vision,” she said. “Without that person, I would not have CCA today.”

“When I created the Collaborative Chambers Alliance, nobody could see the vision at all. It’s the unity between local chambers in local organizations and international organizations. That has never happened before, and you cannot find this type of organization in the world,” she said.

The women spoke to the power of mentorship, networking, and collaboration while navigating cultural and professional barriers, underscoring the need for men and nontraditional allies to support women in achieving gender equality.

First Published March 10, 2025, 11:48 p.m.