Speaker: Bianca Lankford, Sr. Director Cloud Engineering, Discovery Inc
Why is Women’s History Month important to you? How are you celebrating?
Bianca Lankford: During women's history month, I like to recognize the fact that women like me are free to be educated and free to make their own decisions. While sadly, that is not true for every female in this world, I do think this month allows us to bring that opportunity for awareness and bring global change. This year, we're celebrating a little bit differently by focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the impact it has on mother refugees in the world they face now trying to protect their children.
2022's International Women's Day theme is #BreakTheBias. Can you speak to biases we can work to break in our communities and/or workplaces?
Bianca Lankford: Biases are real, and sadly, even with all the education we all have, they still happen. Just the other day, was suggested to me I should switch my pediatrician because she's a female with small children and she couldn't possibly be a very good doctor. I pushed back on that, of course. I did not switch my pediatrician, but I do feel like we all have a responsibility to educate others on biases.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women as they begin their careers?
Bianca Lankford: You can do anything. Don't be afraid of failure. Have your vision, follow it. Don't follow others, follow your vision and be open to change and growth as your vision may change over time.
