Self-Advocacy: Why is it so hard to ask for what we need?

Guest Blog For Women's Forest Congress

The forestry sector has less than 20% participation by women, and even less by people of color.  Photo: Jena Thompson

Years ago, I was on a forest site visit with a super sharp mom who had recently given birth to a baby. Mom was an expert in water, carbon, and sustainability — representing a donor to the organization for which I worked. We were on a remote road within one of the redwood and Douglas fir forests the organization managed. The forests’ rivers, streams, and tributaries were home for steelhead and coho salmon. And they were glorious. Emerald green, blue, and remote. 

Before we left our hotel that morning, we’d planned our itinerary to see some key water and carbon monitoring sites, and a stop for lunch. She asked if we could make an extra stop in the woods for her to pump. I chatted briefly with the head timber manager about the arrangements, and he didn’t blink. Absolutely. You name the place and the time. We’ll pull over. 

After a few hours walking the forests and checking out the river, the timber manager pulled his truck over on a shadier shoulder of an old logging road. He and I walked away from the truck so that Mom had privacy. He’d made sure there was room in the cooler for the breast milk, and ice to keep it cool until we could get back to the hotel and she could freeze the milk or pop it into the mini fridge. 

I don’t remember any business decisions, or project-specific takeaways from our site visit. But I do remember feeling so proud to be part of a team led by a male forester who didn’t miss a beat at taking extra time so Mom could pump in his truck. 

Today, I marvel at how brave she was to ask for what she needed. 

While the forestry executives, head timber manager, registered forester, and lead forest analyst were male, our team then had two foresters who identified as female, as well as a female community liaison. Would they feel comfortable making a pit-stop to pump when or if they had their babies? 

I wouldn’t have. 

Read the full piece on via Women's Forest Congress.

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