I recently attended an event specifically designed for female founders. It was a gathering meant to foster connection, share knowledge, and empower women in the entrepreneurial space. What should have been a supportive and inspiring experience, however, turned into a discouraging one for me.
The reason? I was asked to leave because I had my baby with me.
This incident was not an isolated one. It seems that despite the growing emphasis on inclusivity and work-life balance, many spaces designed for women in business still carry an unspoken rule: “No babies allowed.” This sends a clear and damaging message: women are expected to choose between motherhood and their professional ambitions.
The reality is that many women are juggling both motherhood and entrepreneurship. We are not asking for special treatment, but simply for the opportunity to participate in spaces that are supposed to be designed for us. Leaving my baby at home wasn’t an option. It would have meant missing out on valuable networking opportunities and a chance to learn from other successful women.
This experience highlighted a critical gap in the support system for female founders. Instead of creating spaces that exclude mothers, we need to actively embrace them. This means ensuring childcare options at events, creating virtual opportunities for those who can’t attend in person, and promoting a culture of understanding and empathy.
Ultimately, creating a truly inclusive environment for women founders means acknowledging the reality of motherhood and actively making space for it. It’s time to move beyond the outdated notion that motherhood and ambition are mutually exclusive. Women deserve to be supported, not excluded, on their entrepreneurial journeys.
