As we celebrate International Women's Day, it's essential to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in customer experience (CX), IT and the telecommunications industry as well as other sectors.

In an industry historically dominated by men, women have been breaking barriers, driving innovation, and shaping the future of telecommunications. At 8x8, we are proud to honor and celebrate the achievements of women in our industry while also striving to be a great place to work.

Leveraging International Women’s Day for success

We asked a collection of 8x8 women from around the world for their thoughts and insights for International Women’s Day, and what advice they would give others. We also asked why today is an important day to mark, and what bias issues they have seen in the past.

Says 8x8 Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Lisa Martin, “International Women’s Day is so important because, one, we want to, acknowledge all the women and work that has gone before us—the glass ceilings that they’ve broken, and how they’ve paved the way for us in our careers.”

Michelle Paitich, 8x8 Global Vice President of Channel Sales, notes that “50% of women in tech roles leave by the time they’re 35, and I’m not okay with that. I think it’s critical for organizations to recognize and celebrate the unique and diverse ways that women show up in the workforce.”

Danielle Anderson, Sr. Director of Professional Services at 8x8, says “individuals can serve as allies for women by speaking up for women in the rooms where they’re not invited. They can also help by actively listening to women in their organization, trying to understand their experiences, and helping them to achieve their overall goals.”

Hear more from Lisa, Michelle, and Danielle here:

We have a long way to go

“Today is a reminder to keep opening up the debate around opportunities in the workplace, especially in technology,” said 8x8 UK Country Lead Nerea Gandarias. “We have a long way to go. I attended a seminar on feminism recently and was shocked to learn that no woman’s name appears in the national curriculum for GCSE Science and that only half of the population can name a woman scientist.”

Hear more from Nerea:

We have been collectively talking about the challenges women face for only 47 days

“Forty-seven years ago, International Women’s Day was recognized.” notes Isabelle Hiebler, 8x8’s Global Strategic Alliances Director. “That means only 47 days for talking about 50% of the world’s population.”

Hear more from Isabelle here in English:

Hear more from Isabelle here in French:

We can be better

“We all have biases but we can educate ourselves and be better people and better organizations,” said Alexandra-Oana Peligrad, 8x8’s Country Lead for Romania. “The world will be different tomorrow from how it is today, so it is up to be aware of the differences but also to celebrate that which makes us all unique.”

Hear more from Alexandra here:

Today is a day to celebrate women’s achievements—because there are people trying to take them back

“This is a great day to celebrate and to recall women’s achievements because there are those, all over the world, trying to take them back,” said Cristina Coelho, 8x8’s Country Lead for Portugal. “We need to keep talking and encouraging each other.”

Hear more from Cristina here:

Inspire inclusion

We also asked others about 8x8 as a place to work and if it is encouraging to women. See their responses here:

The 2024 International Women’s Day theme is Inspire Inclusion. Learn more about the theme and how you can help inspire inclusion every day here.