Why I Celebrate Past, Present, and Future Women in Horticulture [Op-Ed]
May 29, 2022 My son recently told me about a student friend of his who will soon graduate with her degree in horticulture. What an exciting time for this young woman to embark on her career in this incredible industry. The future has never looked brighter for women in horticulture.
There is still much to be said, debated, and addressed about advancing equality for women in the workplace and in the horticulture industry. I applaud those who are pushing for it and bringing it to people’s awareness. I admire those who lobby for equal pay, equal opportunities, and empowerment for women in the workplace. I’m grateful for their efforts on behalf of women everywhere. These are important issues I hope future generations of women will one day not have to deal with in their professions. However, at the beginning of this week that is a celebration of women in horticulture, I choose to leave it to people far more eloquent with the written word than me to make those arguments and move people to action.
Instead, I choose to celebrate women in horticulture. Those who own companies, run companies, provide leadership, educate, breed plants, walk the greenhouses, work the crazy springtime hours, stick cuttings, water, scout, spray, ship, package, weed, move pots, advise, consult, market, write, sell, and more to add to our industry’s success. Their contributions, and their impact, should never go unrecognized, and although many work quietly in the background, they are no less deserving of recognition for their efforts.
I choose to celebrate past women of horticulture who didn’t let societal pressures hold them back and who managed to stand out in a field dominated by men. Horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll, botanist Jane Colden, herbalist Harriet Tubman, environmentalist Lady Bird Johnson, landscape designer Jenny Foster Butchart, and plant doctor Cynthia Westcott are just a few of these ladies that come to mind.
I choose to celebrate the many women in this industry who I interact with as the editor of Greenhouse Grower. They are so willing to share their knowledge with others. They are incredibly talented and accomplished in their field. They write or help with articles, speak, participate in webinars, advise, and on and on. They often do it without asking for anything in return.
I choose to celebrate Fluence for organizing the Women’s Innovation Leaders Forum group I participate in that brings together women from around the globe to network and discuss research and innovation within the horticulture industry and share best practices. I can’t tell you how inspiring it is to be on those calls with the amazing women that participate in this group. I celebrate other companies I know of who are doing similar things to support women.
I choose to celebrate AmericanHort and its sponsors for highlighting women in the industry through inspiring interviews and for organizing the Women in Horticulture event at Cultivate to provide women in the green industry with an opportunity to attend an educational networking event.
I choose to celebrate the owners and companies that do try to provide equal pay and equal opportunities for the women they employ. They appreciate their contributions. They promote their development. They give them every opportunity to succeed.
I choose to celebrate the husbands, partners, significant others, male and female co-workers, bosses, and other leaders who support gender equality and empower women in horticulture professions. They have chosen a different way and by so doing set a powerful example for others. Their continued support goes a long way toward helping women succeed both personally and professionally.
Finally, I choose to celebrate the women in horticulture of the future. Those to come with all their great promise, who will rise to even greater heights in the field and take their place as prominent leaders, innovators, gamechangers, and contributors in the industry.
As a woman in horticulture myself, I choose to celebrate women in horticulture of the past, present, and future, because whether they know it or not, each has, does, and will play an important role in not only bettering the green industry, but also bettering the future of all women.
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