One of the highlights of Denver Institute’s event calendar is our annual business leaders’ event “Business for the Common Good.” This year’s (2018) gathering was no exception as entrepreneurs and executives from across the country joined us to consider how God could work through the gifts and influence of His people.
Guests packed the Studio Loft at Ellie Caulkins Opera House, making new connections and greeting old friends, but as I looked across the sea of suits and ties, one thing was shockingly clear—there were hardly any women. Less than ten percent of the 170 attendees were female. The gender disparity was so pronounced that one of the men commented, “Get more women to the event. It felt like a good old boys club (bunch of wealthy white dudes). Yikes! I'm sure a lot of female workers would have loved it.” I agree! I think many female professionals would have enjoyed the event. So why didn’t they attend?
The gender disparity at “Business for the Common Good” was not an isolated incident. Whether we’re inviting local leaders to join Denver Institute’s advisory board, finding panelists for events, or scheduling senior leaders to speak to the 5280 Fellows, it’s a challenge to find professional women to participate.
How do we make sense of this disparity? And, why does it matter?
In a cultural moment that stresses the importance of diversity, it’s become second nature to scan a program’s webpage in search of women or people of color. We’re quick to notice if they’re not represented, but less able to understand the factors that lead to this absence—or what we’re supposed to do about it.
Seeing this dynamic shift will take time as it forces us to examine deeply rooted expectations about gender roles, leadership models, and workplace dynamics. However, this journey also invites us to consider life-giving questions such as:
- What unique qualities do men and women bring to the workplace – and how might our work be better by laboring together?
- Short of striving for a 50/50 gender balance, what does it look like for men and women to be authentically represented in a workplace?
- How does culture (both inside and outside the church) shape our perceptions of gender roles? Are these perceptions in alignment with Scripture?
- How can Christians display the gospel’s redemptive power through healthy workplace relationships?
Over the remaining posts in this 4-part series, I’ll offer a response to these questions and challenge local churches, faithful men, and faithful women with specific roles they can play to draw out each worker’s gifts, regardless of gender.
May we celebrate each other’s God-given potential as we learn to labor together in love, unity, humility, and holiness.
Editor's note: This is the first post in a four-part series. Take a look at part two now!
