Women’s History Month

Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

NWHA 2024 Theme

In 2024, National Women's History Month highlights "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion," honoring those who strive to eliminate bias for a positive future. Women from diverse backgrounds passionately promote fairness in institutions, recognizing the transformative power of inclusivity. They lead in reevaluating social norms and addressing harmful policies, pioneering innovative programs to rectify injustices in corporations, the military, federal agencies, and education.

Courageous women, facing opposition, are celebrated for establishing safeguards, practices, and legislation that reflect values of inclusion, equality, and fairness. This year marks a transformative era led by dedicated women working for basic inclusion and justice, breaking free from decades of discrimination.

"Never limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination."

- Mae Jemison, first African American female astronaut

This Month’s Coffee Talk

Organizational Development Educator at Savage Consulting
Dr. Teresa Deveaux is dedicated to unlocking individual, team, and organizational potential, evident in her doctoral dissertation on leadership outcomes and organizational culture. With over 25 years of experience, including 19 at Microsoft, she is now a Leadership Professor at various institutions and the CEO of Savage Consulting. Holding a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Teresa resides in Vancouver, enjoying travel and hiking with her husband Mike, their furkid Diva, and making memories with their adult children, Abby and Jake.
President and CEO at Points of Light
Jennifer Sirangelo, as Points of Light’s President and CEO, passionately champions unlocking human potential for good. With 17 years at the National 4-H Council, including a decade as President and CEO, she drove transformative growth and impact. Previously, she held leadership roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of America and worked in fundraising for health and higher education. Jennifer holds a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication from William Jewell College.
North America Equity & Justice Practice Lead (SVP) at APCO Worldwide
Elle Arlook leads APCO’s Equity & Justice practice, a division of APCO Impact. In this role, she advises clients on strategies that go beyond traditional DE&I to center principles of equity and justice across the business internally and externally. She guided some of the firms’ largest clients through the converging crises of the pandemic and the refueled racial justice movement, helping them adapt to a new normal for corporate advocacy. Ms. Arlook has a depth of experience in supporting corporate, non-profit and association clients navigating complex issue environments at the intersection of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Prior to this role, she led strategic advisory and omnichannel communications efforts within APCO’s corporate practice. She has worked on clients that range from household names like Facebook, Johnson & Johnson, McCormick and CarMax to lesser-known, highly regulated, billion-dollar companies and industries.
Her leadership and contributions to the agency and her clients garnered her the recognition of Business Insider 2021 Rising Star, PR News’ 2018 Rising Star and contributed to the firm’s recognition as Ragan’s CSR & Diversity Awards 2021 CSR Agency of the Year.
Ms. Arlook previously served as director at the Walker Marchant Group, a boutique multicultural public affairs and crisis communications firm in Washington, D.C. In this role, she managed national partnerships, strategic influencer engagement, multicultural communications, crisis and litigation communications, grassroots marketing and reputation management for clients including the National Urban League, Walgreens, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, Toyota, YMCA of the USA, and the Connecticut Health Foundation.
A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Ms. Arlook began her career in the labor movement as a field communications director for the AFL-CIO in Florida and Maine where she was responsible for equipping and inspiring American workers to take part in the electoral process. She currently lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and daughter.
NASCARRacecar Driver & NASCARTeam Owner
Jennifer Jo Cobb is a NASCAR Team Owner, race car driver and has become an accomplished motivational speaker.
She began competing at local tracks in 1991 and pursued her racing dream for 19-years before racing full-time at NASCAR’s top levels. She holds many records in NASCAR and is one of a few women with top-10 finishes at the highest levels of the sport. She also holds a land speed record of the fastest woman in a stock car at 223+mph.
Jennifer, a native of Kansas City, Kansas speaks on perseverance, strategies to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles as well as teamwork and business strategy. As a speaking ambassador for the US Embassy she has spoken across several countries.
In 2011, she founded Driven2Honor, a 501(3)c to honor military women and became the Executive Director of a not-for-profit, Driven Diplomacy, in 2020.