Women in business are making strides in the workplace, but too often take for granted how hard the journey has been. Every now and then it is worth the time to take notice of just how far we have come....and even more important to realize just how far we need to go...

In 1984, I was 32 years old and manager of a Diet Center, consulting men and women on what to eat to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. My salary was hourly plus commission on whatever I was able to sell to customers. Yes, what I made was exactly the national average for women then of about $.55 for a man's dollar. I loved my job and worked hard, but had to balance it with Mom duties of getting home in time for the school bus. There were very few options for childcare in 1984 for part-time working women. But I wouldn't have had it any other way anyway as the majority of the women I knew worked part-time or not at all.

Today's millennial women have a very different working environment. Working women make $.77 of a man's dollar now, but the pressure for equal pay is stronger than ever before and often when a woman speaks up she sees change. 60% of millennial women aspire to management positions and demonstrate their drive by completing higher levels of education than their male counterparts.

When I started my business career, I always found myself surrounded by a sea of men. Today, millennial women in the workplace are 53% of entry level positions, 40% of managers, 35% of directors, 27% of vice presidents, 24% of senior vice presidents, and 19% of C-level executives. In other words, it is not only not lonely at the bottom there is an example of a path to follow at most midsize and up companies. If a woman in the workplace does not have a female role model or mentor she needs to seek one out. Today every woman in the workplace must take it upon herself to reach out for help as there finally is another woman who has gone before.

Whether to be a stay-at-home or working Mom question plagues this generation perhaps more than others as the choices seem to be greater. However, for the first time men, millennial men are struggling as well.

I believe women must never take change for granted as history has a way of repeating itself if we are not diligent in staying the course. I truly believe that every small step for women is one giant leap for mankind (yes, I'm stealing from Neil Armstrong), but only when we use the freedom we gain to change the world for the positive. Change is happening as the infographic below demonstrates, but it is clearly up to the millions of American working women to keep the pace moving forward. Action always speaks louder than words, so share your talent and dedicate yourself to a purpose with impact. 67% believe our country needs to keep making changes. 30 years from now our daughters and granddaughters will thank us.

Women in the Workplace Then Vs. Now (the stats for this blog and the infographic below are used with permission from Human Resources MBA link here http://www.humanresourcesmba.net/women-in-the-workplace/