9 / 28 / 2023
Dear Friends,
Ah September – a month of big moves and inspired possibility!
As noted in the last a-o newsletter, we’ve moved this to a monthly format for the time being so that we can better focus on some of the exciting developments happening at alley-oop. (More on that below 😉) For now, I thought it might make sense to take a step back and remind everyone WHY we’re doing this. In other words, WHY ALLEY-OOP at all?
It took me a while to discover my passion for changing the game around gender dynamics. There were inklings along the way, of course, but it wasn’t until I was an adult, and a mother, that I was able to think through (and articulate) what I was seeing.
Girls and women ARE more empowered than generations past. We make up the majority of students in top-tiered schools and we have far more access to professional careers than those before us; we’ve come a long way from the “obedient” or “subordinate” language that existed once upon a time. Progress, for sure. And yet . . .
We make up 50% of the population and far too often, girls’ voices are NOT being heard. Across both business and politics, we’re in way too few leadership positions. Exposure and opportunity in finance, sports, and media continues to be lagging behind. And the rewards of risk-taking being taught to our boys is somehow not being instilled in our girls.
So with alley-oop, we decided to take a different angle. Here’s what we know:
We care about fueling curiosity, understanding perspectives, and facilitating communication.
We’re inspired by creativity and innovation.
And we feel empowered by design, technology, and media.
More than anything, however, we feel adamant that changing the game of gender dynamics is about CONNECTION. Leveraging the ideas above while connecting the various players involved.
One of our favorite sayings is “It’s all about relationships. The rest? Just details.”
So why did we start with Dads & Daughters? Ha - if you only knew how much time we spend talking about this very subject!
I will be brutally honest here for a moment. It was not an easy decision to make. The truth is, when it comes to gender today, men still hold the power in our society. That’s just the reality. If the game of gender dynamics is going to change – like, truly change - then men need to get in on the action.
We KNOW adult women can be exceptional role models for our girls. We also recognize these women (myself, included) grew up in the same society, with the same expectations, that we’re trying to change. So in many cases, there are some very real lessons and attitudes that may be better taught from men who were never burdened by them in the first place. And it goes both ways. Despite the relationships some of our favorite men have with their wives, mothers, sisters, and friends – some of the deepest learnings around gender dynamics can only come from the girls they love unquestionably and unconditionally . . . their Daughters.
In basketball, an alley-oop is about connection, communication, and fun. It’s about understanding each other’s positioning and perspective to shine as an exceptional duo. At alley-oop, we’re working to change the game, together. Thank you for joining us. 💜💙
