When Tory Burch launched her company, an article was published about her prompting a friend to call and congratulate her, while pointing out how the designer shied away from the word ambition.
“I thought about it, and she was absolutely right,” Burch told us last year. “For me, it’s hard to imagine that it’s ok and applauded for men to be ambitious, but when it comes to women, it’s viewed as distasteful. If we can help women embrace their ambition – whatever that may be, a mom or working – having the confidence about that word would be a great thing.”
That year, she launched the #EmbraceAmbition campaign, and on Tuesday, she took it to the next level when the Tory Burch Foundation hosted the inaugural Embrace Ambition Summit: Confronting Stereotypes and Creating New Norms. The all-day event at Alice Tully Hall took on harmful stereotypes around gender, race and sexuality.
“We want to use today to shine a light on the sometimes-hidden biases and barriers that all women face,” Burch said. “And we want to make sure that the conversation we start is one that has a place in it for everyone—men, this means you too, it is essential that you are a key element in the conversation about women’s rights.”
The summit featured notable speakers Yara Shahidi on her Eighteenx’18 initiative and the importance of encouraging young people to vote; model Dilone on inclusivity in fashion and beauty; Lindsey Vonn on stereotypes in the sporting world, and Julianna Margulies on women’s roles in television, as well as activist Naomi Wadler, writer Margaret Atwood, Joe Kennedy, and Kevin McCarthy.
It was an inspiring day, to say the least, with many memorable moments, quotes, and takeaways.
“Equity is achieved only when we acknowledge that everyone has inalienably been given the right to exist and the right to thrive,” Shahidi said.
U.S. Olympic gold medalist Vonn, admitted that she dislikes being called the greatest female athlete, “because I just like to be the greatest athlete period. I have one more record to break, and then once I do that, they can’t put female in my name anymore.”
The event also featured performances by St. Vincent, Nona Hendryx, Michael Fabiano and Regie Gibson, as well as a marketplace, sponsored by Bank of America and offering products from women entrepreneurs affiliated with the Tory Burch Foundation.
Laurie Fabiano, President of the Tory Burch Foundation, noted: “Until we deal with the outmoded learned behaviors, mindsets and stereotypes that are part of our culture, we will never have a level playing field in our workplaces, or in life.”
“I am so tired of women having to limit themselves and their ambition because they’re afraid of what somebody else might think,” Burch, who was in conversation with Katie Couric, said. “Here’s the thing: women aren’t the problem. Our attitudes are.”
And this is not just a moment to change those attitudes – it’s a movement!
