Women in positions of power has quietly remained one of the great taboos of the Western world. There is a residual and internalized idea that women are less than capable leaders, or that they may bring too many emotions into something as procedural as law. In legal work, as career level rises, female representation drastically decreases. In recent years, those numbers have increased with the overall influx of women into the workforce, but there is still much work to be done.
Laura Melia, an attorney at law for Miles & Stockbridge, who has worked in law for over 25 years, notes that for all the progress being made for women’s equality, there still remains a glass ceiling. She believes that this is largely due to the “headstart” men have had from a longer exposure to the workforce dating centuries back, whereas the 21st century woman has to build a business network of her peers from the ground up. It is also why she believes there’s such a dire need for an event like S.H.E. Week to bolster support and unite women, “It’s about building a network of women to bounce ideas off of… a display of effort towards that camaraderie women in business are so often missing,” she shared.
Miles & Stockbridge is already on the right page when it comes to championing women in the workforce and helping them push through that glass ceiling. For the past two years, the firm has organized an event designed to uphold and recognize women in business. They host networking events and social gathering, and invite guest speakers to draw in women who lack that sense of community and help them meet colleagues and other like-minded professional women. It is a great way to demonstrate that Miles & Stockbridge is a company that believes in the value women bring to the workforce and women appreciate the event for what it is, “No one is trying to sell you anything, no one is looking down at you. It’s just about meeting new people, networking, finding that common ground with your peers,” explained Melia.
Melia, who also sits on the board of directors for the Frederick County Chamber Commerce, says she is looking forward to seeing the impact S.H.E. Week has on the greater Frederick community and beyond, “We’re trying to curate an atmosphere of inclusivity.” We’re hopeful that it catches on.
Miles & Stockbridge is a sponsor for S.H.E Week.
About Miles & Stockbridge
Miles & Stockbridge is a legal firm with a branch based in Frederick. In the local office, their lawyers combine a wide range of experience and resources of a large legal organization with a hometown spirit of personal attention. Over the years, Miles & Stockbridge lawyers have built strong ties in Frederick County and throughout the surrounding counties of Western Maryland. They are committed to strengthening those ties, which is why making positions accessible is so important to them.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.