Did you know that International Women’s Day dates back to 1911? Born out of a need to advance women’s equality in the industrial revolution, it’s early roots can be traced back to 1908 when 15-thousand women marched in New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. Within the year, in 1909, the first National Women’s Day was observed in the U.S. It was in 1910 that the actions of 100+ women at a conference set history in motion resulting in the International Women’s Day celebrated around the world today. That small women’s conference – certainly by today’s standards - at the International Conference of Working Women voted to create one day, every year and in every country, to press for their demands of equality with a unified voice. Today it is celebrated way beyond the first 5 countries to commemorate the day in 1911. (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and the U.S.) It wasn’t until 1975 that the United Nations officially recognized the day.
One-hundred thirteen years after the first International Women’s Day, the social media threads and community events and networking organizations are abundant in commemorations large and small. Here at the Chamber, we can’t think of a better way to honor the spirit of International Women’s Day than to spotlight last year’s Dottie Berger MacKinnon Women of Influence Award. Kimberlee DeBosier is the Transportation Division Leader of WGI – a trailblazer in the field of civil engineering. The WOI award pays tribute to a woman whose leadership has made a lasting, positive impact in the Tampa Bay region. As DeBosier prepares for our Chamber’s announcement of the next Woman of Influence Honoree at WOI Luncheon and Awards Ceremony March 24th, we asked her to describe what that surprise moment was like for her in 2022 and what it’s grown to mean for her in the months that followed. Here’s our Woman of Influence of 2022, in her own words…
Q: What was it like for you when you were sitting in the ballroom with other guests and the speaker at the podium began to describe the winner?
A: A group of friends reserved a table for the event under the premise that someone else in this group was receiving the award. On the way to the event, an urgent matter had come up at the office and I almost turned back to the office but reminded myself that I had to be there to honor and celebrate this friend. As the introduction was being made, I was looking at my friend - who I thought was the recipient. I heard the description and thought that didn’t sound like her story and then I heard the word “engineer”. That’s when I realized it was MY bio. Because I was so sure my other friend was being honored, I was utterly astounded.
Q: When it finally sunk in, that you were being honored as the 2022 Woman of Influence by the Chamber’s WOI committee and Chamber members, what were your first thoughts as you walked over to the stage to receive the award?
A: Two streams of thoughts went through my mind: First, a bit of disbelief that I was joining such an illustrious group of prior recipients, given the amazing, accomplished women in the region. My second thought was “What do I say at the podium? How do I thank all the people I need to?” Given that I’m not the greatest contemporaneous speaker, I feared I would leave some important things out of my remarks, which I did. (Later in the day I came up with the perfect response, in my own mind!)
Q: Now that you’ve had plenty of time to think about the WOI honor, what has this meant to you personally and professionally?
A: It is always gratifying to be recognized for one’s work, especially when it is not a core part of your day job. I feel so honored. This has given the group of friends I was with that day a lot of laughter regarding my initial reaction at the event. The award has helped other women I work with understand how important it is to be actively involved in bettering our community. I hope it has inspired some to expand their leadership and volunteerism in organizations.
The Dottie Berger MacKinnon Women of Influence Award has honored women who contributed to the community in major ways and across a broad range of impacts: education, politics, banking, women’s and family issues, business, sports, and the arts. I admire them particularly for the positive impacts their community service has had in the lives of women and families in the region. To recognize women in leadership further inspires women of all ages to rise up to our challenges and improve the quality of all lives in Tampa Bay. In addition, I knew and admired Dottie Berger MacKinnon and several of the previous recipients are good friends of mine, making this award even more special.
Q: As you well know, the Chamber’s Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award, is a surprise to everyone in the room, except for a handful of guests. What’s your advice to the next WOI award winner?
A: One of the most powerful ways to use your Women of Influence Award is to influence and inspire those around you. Use it as a springboard to supercharge your mentoring and prepare the next generations of women to seek and assume positions of leadership that can positively impact our community – and beyond.
