Corporate Social Responsibility

Advancing gender equality in the workplace is an important part of Inclusiveness, one of our Sysco Values. It is also a key business imperative that helps us better reflect our customers and communities. International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Recognized first in 1911 in Europe, International Women’s Day is now observed around the globe in support of advancing gender equality.

In 1942, Mary G. Ross, changed the course of history by becoming the first female engineer at Lockheed Martin – paving the way for the next generation of female engineers. At the time, working as an engineer within the aerospace industry was a near-impossible achievement for women. Yet through determination, tenacity and undeniable talent Ross quickly made her indelible mark, making especial contributions to the P-38 Lightning.

Balance is not a women's issue, it's a business issue. We notice gender-balance’s absence and celebrate its presence in boardrooms, governments, media coverage, and in the tech industry. And, every person, government and company has a part to play in building a gender-balanced world. At Symantec, supporting the U.S. State Department’s TechWomen program is one way we work towards #BalanceforBetter. TechWomen connects and supports female “Emerging Leaders” in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.

Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), has completed its first issuance of $600 million in green bonds that will finance eligible green energy projects, including the development, construction and procurement of solar generation in the Carolinas.

Given that the number of women-owned businesses has grown at nearly four times the rate of men-owned firms over the past 20 years[1] — 28.5% vs. 7.5% — it’s nearly incomprehensible that just 30 years ago a woman needed a male cosigner to obtain a business loan. That all changed in 1988 with the passage of H.R. 5050, the Women’s Business Ownership Act, a piece of landmark legislation that is the bedrock for policies, programs and public/private initiatives that continue to support businesswomen today.

This International Women’s Day and every day, we have the responsibility and opportunity to break down gender barriers that stifle progress and hinder innovation. It’s up to all of us to #balanceforbetter.

At Pfizer, we believe that empowered women help build stronger communities. Fundamental to this belief is ensuring access to resources that allow women to make decisions about the health of themselves and their families.

The Caterpillar Foundation, the philanthropic organization of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), today announced Asha Varghese as its new president.

Amanda made a career of crushing her goals. 10 years after starting as a Walmart cashier, she now manages an Arkansas Walmart supercenter. Read her full story here.