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Utah artist Caitlin Connolly looks at one of her paintings. Connolly is one of many local women to join Meghan Markle’s 40×40 campaign to help women re-enter the workforce. (Caitlin Connolly)
SALT LAKE CITY – On her 40th birthday, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, challenged 40 friends – and anyone else wishing to participate – to spend 40 minutes mentoring women back in the workforce.
And the women of Utah accept it.
“Over 2 million women in the United States alone, and tens of millions around the world have lost their jobs due to COVID. And I think if we all do it and we all commit to an act of service, we can create a ripple effect, ”Markle told actress Melissa McCarthy before an invitation to participate. A video promoting the campaign was posted on the Markle’s Archewell website.
Utah artist Caitlin Connolly was browsing Instagram when she came across Georgian politician, activist and author Stacey Abrams’ post saying she was on the initiative. During the pandemic, women were the first to sacrifice their career goals to take care of their families, Abrams said, and it was a chance to help people get back on their feet.
“Something about it really hit me,” Connolly said. “I was curious about how to help women more, and 40 minutes seemed totally doable to me, even with a busy schedule.”
Connolly, whose work frequently speaks of the female experience and focuses on divine female purpose, also published an article about her involvement in the Markle campaign.
“I have had many people who have advised me in the creative field and I would like to gift this to someone else,” she posted on Instagram on Thursday. About 300 women responded, asking to be considered as candidates, many of them asking for help in sharing personal and vulnerable parts of themselves through art.
“It was overwhelming for me, the great need that women have – although this is true of all men and women – to try to figure out how to use their voice,” she said. “There were a lot of questions about how to find out more about yourself and share that outside. Art is a great tool to do that.”
With all of the answers, helping one person seemed almost too little, so Connolly pondered what more she can do to help more women. She worries that 40 minutes isn’t enough to make an impact, but she remembers that some of the most impactful conversations she’s had were just a few words, so she hopes it’ll be enough to really help someone.
“The world needs more women who speak more truth. And I hope I can help create a path for women to recognize their truth and can share their truth. It takes a lot of hard personal work. I hope to find it. a way that I could help further build bridges between these things, ”Connolly said.
Kara Wight Burton, Head of Learning Experience Design at Purple, felt drawn to the campaign as soon as she heard about it.
“The things Meghan Markle has been through all her life, but especially the last few years, she has handled them with such grace. It just goes to show how strong she is. And the fact that she has identified this problem and that she want to help solve it, even with everything she’s been through, it shows how classy she is. It’s real leadership, “she said.
“I already knew I liked her, but it really spoke to my soul that she saw this problem and was working on it.”
During her Masters in Teaching Technology and Learning Science program, Wight Burton created a ‘Parks and Recreation’ inspired Instagram account dedicated to providing professional resources to working women. She is involved in social media groups that aim to help women in business, and as a mother she has also seen the immense value of women outside of business.
“It is a goal of my life to help women realize that the experience they have, even if it is not considered work experience or paid experience, is valuable,” he said. she declared.
She too has accepted Markle’s challenge and donated her mentorship to help women find their way to where they want to be professionally, in any field. Among other things, Wight Burton is proficient at training, identifying opportunities to fill knowledge gaps, writing resumes, and preparing people for job interviews and the hiring process. And she is especially thrilled to be able to offer everything to the women of Utah.
“It’s interesting that in Utah, which has traditionally been a very family-friendly place, we still have a lot of stigma surrounding working women,” she said. “The women here are a huge untapped workforce, and we are not doing what we can to let them join us as much or as little as they want. It places an undue burden on women who have so much. to bring to the table. “
Most mentors post their interest in volunteering their time to other women in social media groups or on their personal pages. Women looking for mentorship can find these opportunities by searching for the hashtag # 40×40.
“If you can, join us and commit 40 minutes today to serving others in any way that’s convenient for you,” said Markle. “The time you donate can contribute to a global wave of service and trigger a significant impact in our own communities and around the world.”
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