Any time you walk into one of SHS’s numerous business clubs or classes, one thing is apparent: a gender gap. These male-dominated spaces can feel intimidating for girls looking to get a start in the business world. Seniors Savana Garabedian, Gracelyn Veiga, and Bailey Young aimed to bridge this gap and create a more welcoming and inclusive space for girls interested in a business career, which brought the Women’s Business Association to life. The club, which meets on the first Friday of every month in Mr. Maki’s room (229), hopes to break the stigmas surrounding the business world, especially at SHS, as being a male-dominated field that girls don’t feel comfortable in.
According to Garabedian, Veiga, and Young, the club has brought many opportunities to SHS students. They attended the Harvard BOLD conference run by Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business in November of 2023. Invited to attend by SHS graduate Celia Rees, they spent two days listening to inspiring female speakers such as Demetra Pinsent, the CEO of makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury, and many other CEOs and women high up in the business field. Young described the experience as “inspirational,” saying it sparked many creative ideas about running their interactive events at SHS. They were also excited about cultivating more audience engagement at their events and deviating from the typical guest speakers into a panel-style event.
In February of 2024, the Women’s Business Association hosted a successful panel event featuring many female speakers ranging from recent SHS grads to successful CEOs and leaders of their companies. They advised a group of SHS students who were looking to the business world to make connections, find a support system, and speak their minds. Their most prominent advice to women in male-dominated fields was not to be afraid to speak up and remember they are there for a reason. This panel of inspirational women was an excellent opportunity for SHS students to discover how to get their start and rise in business.
Garabedian, Veiga, and Young hope the impact of the club will inspire girls from SHS and help them pave a good path to a future in business. They plan to host more events, including guest speakers.