The ASA Women in Industry division was formed through the perseverance of strong women in the industry recognizing the need for a specialized group.
Five years later the group has grown from less than 100 members to more than 400 women participating in the division. The reasoning behind the group has always been two-fold. First, the division is meant to be a place for current women in the industry at all levels to get a chance to receive educational opportunities tailored to them as well as networking opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise receive at any other industry events.
Second, the ASA Women in Industry division is meant to help bring women into what is a male-dominated industry. The group wants to show women looking to come into the industry that they aren’t alone and there is a group here to support them and help them grow. It shows a different face for the industry, letting people know that there are women in the industry and they are a large and growing faction.
ASA Women in Industry has recognized the importance of attracting the next generation into the industry. The division decided at its 2017 Spring Conference to invite the Texas A&M’s Society of Women in Industrial Distribution to take part in the event. Eight students from the university participated, taking back with them the message of our industry and hopes for the future. It resulted in some internships and a return trip to this year’s 2018 Spring Conference in Savannah, Georgia, where they will again be participating in the event. We have also invited a few female students from Purdue University’s Industrial Distribution program. The division’s goal for the future is to continue to partner with these groups and others to aid in attracting new and exciting talent into our industry.
Dress for Success
The division has partnered with Dress for Success for the past three years. Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The ASA Women in Industry division has donated its own clothes, money, accessories and time to help this incredible organization to continue to achieve its amazing mission.
One of the truly unique things about the division is that it is for women at all levels of the organization. Women who otherwise don’t attend any other industry events can get out and meet other women in the industry and truly get a feel for the industry, not just what they’ve experienced in their workplace. The opportunity to network and create relationships, whether it is finding a mentor, becoming a mentor, or just making new friends, the options for what this division can offer only continue to expand.
Women in Industry 2018
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the ASA Women in Industry division. It has come a long way from the first Spring Conference in Chicago, Illinois, where it started to this year’s Spring Conference in Savannah, Georgia. We only continue to grow and improve year after year. The word is out that ASA’s Women in Industry division is one of the fast-growing groups at ASA. Women want to be a part of it and companies want their female employees to receive all the benefits that belonging to this division offers. Through its webinars offered throughout the year, articles written in Supply House Times, the Spring Conference, Facebook group, LinkedIn Group and everything else the division continues to offer its members throughout the year, it is no surprise that this division is only continuing to grow and get stronger.
Power Your Potential
Make sure to Power Your Potential at this year’s Spring Conference in Savannah, Georgia, from April 25-27. With this year being our fifth anniversary, you can expect incredible education sessions, fun networking opportunities and so much more.
Join us and see what has the industry buzzing about the ASA Women in Industry division.
