As a first-time dad, I find myself inspired by the profound joy of my venture into fatherhood. Blessed with a daughter I shall affectionately name Miss Mango; I am awe-struck at her brilliant mind and calm demeanor. Life has an intriguing way of presenting us with unique moments to cherish, moments that serve as stepping-stones on our life journey. The importance of pausing to reflect on these recent experiences should not be overlooked - they arm us with life-enhancing lessons, enabling us to navigate life's hurricanes and peaceful harbors alike.
As I cradle Miss Mango, an entire galaxy of possibilities swirls before us, filled with visions of success not only on the athletics field but also in the boardroom. These dreams are kindled by the mighty torch lit by the resolute women who relentlessly pursued their ambitions, breaking records and shattering glass ceilings in every arena they stepped into. Of such inspirational figures, the world of women's basketball parades a glittering array of ground-breaking athletes who have crafted a unique heritage of strength, prowess, and sheer determination. At the top of these trailblazers is Caitlin Clark, the University of Iowa's star player who recently engraved her name in sports history as the NCAA Division I women's career scoring leader. Pulling up from practically the logo's vicinity, Clark launched a three-pointer that forever forged her name amongst the greats. But setting records is not Clark's end game; her drive to surpass her personal best epitomizes the never-ending journey to excellence we should strive. And standing alongside Clark as a testament to hard work and perseverance is Sabrina Ionescu. Her recent three-point battle with NBA legend Stephen Curry was more than an electric display of skill; it symbolized a significant stride toward gender parity in professional sports. Ionescu went head-to-head, heart-to-heart with a rival from the NBA, making the greatest shooter in NBA history work for every point. This competition crafted a new narrative, where the 'versus' in the contest was replaced by an 'and,' drawing a parallel between men's and women's achievements in basketball. Reflecting on these recent feats, we can't overlook the fundamental contribution of basketball legends such as Cheryl Miller and Sue Bird, whose paths were not strewn with rose petals. They played through times when the recognition, endorsement, and publishing deals that present women players enjoy were distant dreams. Cheryl Miller, with her outstanding ability, would likely have been the most dominant player in women's basketball had the WNBA existed in her prime era of mid-80s. Her legacy, however, didn't stop at her playing days. She chose to weave her wisdom acquired from her playing years into the rising tide of new players, both in college and professional arenas. Then there's Sue Bird, a name synonymous with longevity, consistency, and dominance in women's basketball. Spending two decades traversing the basketball court for Seattle Storm, Bird's career was an awe-inspiring journey of adapting, reinventing, and outlasting herself every season. From being the No.1 overall pick of WNBA to becoming a future Hall of Famer, Bird's career relays a simple yet compelling message – the path to greatness is not straight but winding, filled with challenges and detours, but it's worth every step. The stories of these powerful women are more than accounts of personal victories; they are beacons that light our way towards creating an empowering, inclusive, and equal platform for our future champions. Women like Clark, Ionescu, Miller, and Bird, who pushed boundaries, broke records, and never settled for anything less than greatness, are an eternal source of inspiration for our daughters. They are empowering proof that with grit and determination, any dream, no matter how ambitious, is within reach. And as Miss Mango grows up, I wish for her to believe in her aspirations and to create her unique path of achievement, be it in a boardroom or the athletics field. For the future belongs to her and every girl who dares to dream and strives to turn it into reality.
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As a first-time dad, I find myself inspired by the profound joy of my venture into fatherhood. Blessed with a daughter I shall affectionately name Miss Mango; I am awe-struck at her brilliant mind and calm demeanor. Life has an intriguing way of presenting us with unique moments to cherish, moments that serve as stepping-stones on our life journey. The importance of pausing to reflect on these recent experiences should not be overlooked - they arm us with life-enhancing lessons, enabling us to navigate life's hurricanes and peaceful harbors alike.
Stepping outside the realm of cybersecurity momentarily, I reflected recently on our past year as a family. More specifically, maternal healthcare and the practices for prenatal and labor, as well as postpartum support. It has never been clearer that improvements are needed. Our societal responsibility goes beyond ensuring the safety and well-being of mothers—it extends to the very backbone of our communities and the health of future generations. The stark contrast between the invaluable role of motherhood and the resources dedicated for their care is a disquieting reality that underlines the deemphasis on societal priorities. We can do more. Consider the Numbers: The average amount of time a woman spends in the hospital during labor, coupled with the subsequent postpartum, is substantial. First time mothers may be in active labor for an average of 8-14 hours, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Postpartum hospital stays can also vary as well. In many countries, including the United States, the length of a hospital stay may range from 24 to 96 hours depending upon the delivery method. The costs associated with this time are undeniably significant. Hospital stays alone can range from $11,000 to $26,000, sometimes higher pending the length of the stay. Beyond the hospital, the postpartum period commonly refers to the initial six weeks after childbirth. However, some experts consider the postpartum period to extend up to a year after the birth of a baby. Equally noteworthy are the millions of people navigating these processes without insurance coverage. Highlighting yet another critical improvement opportunity in the healthcare system's ability to safeguard those bringing new life into the world. To bolster maternal healthcare, below are a few areas we can, as a society, further examine for consideration.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent. |
AuthorElliot is a Senior Manager in the Cybersecurity practice at EY where he enables organizations to build in risk thinking from the onset, enhancing global innovation with confidence. He leads global teams to reduce response times and minimize the impact of security incidents by building and operating mature security, logging, monitoring, alerting, and incident response practices. He successfully led response to and recovery from complex security incidents, such as data exposures, third party compromises, and vulnerability exposures, by coordinating across large enterprises through effective incident response procedures to minimize business impact. Archives
March 2024
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