As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we asked some of our colleagues to reflect on some of the women who have paved the way for our careers today:

“I look forward to a time, in the not-so-distant future, when we no longer look forward to ‘firsts’ as milestones women have yet to achieve, but we look back on them as historic events that continue to teach and inspire.” – Dee Dee Myers, former White House Press Secretary; first woman to hold the position

I think of Vice President Kamala Harris. Yes, we must acknowledge that we have our first female, first Black and first South Asian vice president. It’s vital to recognize this moment in our history. But let’s not let the “first” diminish the work – significantly more work, in fact – that she did to earn this position. And I also think of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s answer to “When will there be enough?” – “When there are nine,” she said – and I know that women today remain the exception to the rule despite all the progress we have made.

I’d venture to guess (perhaps optimistically) that we’ve entered a decade where there will be a shift in how we refer to ourselves to the way our male counterparts do – as accomplished professionals, creators, human beings. Much of this shift is in our language – how we define ourselves, how we talk about each other – and how we support each other to ensure we’re not reinforcing systems that have kept certain groups of people down. The “firsts” are important, but let’s get to a place where counting seems ridiculous. Absurd. Or mundane. – Diana Dixon

“I believe that good journalism, good television, can make our world a better place.” – Christiane Amanpour, veteran journalist and correspondent for CNN

As a young woman working in PR, it is fundamentally important to believe that my work makes the world a better place. Creating authoritative content for our clients not only positions them as thoughtful leaders but introduces unique insights into our ever-changing world. It is empowering to work in a field that contributes significant ideas and engages the public each day. – Celia Dewyer

“Listen deeply to all kinds of audiences — through all kinds of media — so you bring a convincing, uniquely ‘outside’ perspective to the table. A broad understanding of public opinion and trends will bring authority to your advice. Then add big-picture analysis that helps put business decisions into a sound context.” – Marilyn Laurie, the first woman to become chief communications officer of a Fortune 10 company

There are two aspects of Marilyn’s quote that resonate with me: the deep listening and the unique point of view that comes with women gaining authority. Over the years, I’ve observed that women are particularly equipped with the deep empathy required to effectively listen to multiple audiences, synthesize and act on what they hear. While it has taken a long time, in the last decade more executive teams have recognized and propelled women into executive positions due in part to their innate abilities to effectively listen, gather, analyze and communicate in ways that improve decision-making. – Pam Munoz

“The profession of counsel on public relations is so new that all who are engaged in it, men as well as women, are pioneers. No traditions have grown against women’s participation in it, and women will share the responsibility of developing and shaping this new profession. It is so new that its ultimate possibilities for women lie in the future.” – Doris Fleischman, writer and lead publicist for one of the first PR firms in the 1930s

I am struck by the notion that a woman like Doris was able to advance in the newly founded industry of PR, uninhibited by social constructs. As we look to the future and reflect on the women who made this possible, I see women at the forefront, creating more industries in which they will thrive and creating inclusive environments along the way, similarly undeterred and inspired by those who came before them. – Abby Cohen