Overview: The Annual Jack H. Brown College (JHBC) of Business and Public Administration Office of Academic Equity (OAE) ShEconomy event at Cal State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) focused on the gender gap in the digital era. The event highlighted the importance of self-advocacy, confidence building, and personal branding in the digital era. The event also discussed the gender gap in labor participation, income, health, and political representation. The event aimed to cultivate a space where women feel empowered to advocate for themselves in ways that feel authentic and empowering, providing resilience that stands firm, no matter the climate.
Alyssah Hall
Each year, the Annual Jack H. Brown College (JHBC) of Business and Public Administration Office of Academic Equity (OAE) ShEconomy hosts an event at Cal State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).
The event, hosted by Francisca Beer, Ph.D, Professor of Finance, Associate Dean, a CSU Innovation and Leadership Awardee and the JHBC Distinguished Research Fellow at CSUSB.
This year’s gathering, held in late October, centered around “The Synergy of Self-Advocacy, Confidence Building, and Personal Branding in the Digital Era.” Organized and led by Beer, the occasion allowed women, students and professionals alike, to share their knowledge on cultivating diversity, equity and empowerment in business.
“Self-advocacy begins with an inward acknowledgment of our strengths, values, and aspirations, combined with the courage to communicate these with conviction. Throughout my journey, I’ve seen how my approach to self-advocacy resonates with many women who feel that our voices are sometimes labeled as “aggressive” when we are assertive,” Beer said.
“This misinterpretation is deeply unfortunate, and it stems from enduring stereotypes that limit the perception of women’s voices,” Beer continued. “As a woman of color, I’m often aware of the stereotype that Black women are seen as aggressive simply for being direct and firm. This stereotype doesn’t reflect the reality. I, for one, am not aggressive—I am passionate.”
A key focus of this year’s JHBC OAE ShEconomy event was the gender gap in multiple aspects, including labor participation, income, health and political representation.
In terms of political representation, although many women in history have aspired and attempted to take on the role of President of the United States, only two have held major-party nominations, and still the U.S. has yet to have a woman president.
“Hillary Clinton became the first woman, major-party nominee for president when she was nominated by the Democratic party in 2016. In 2024, Kamala Harris became the second woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian person major-party presidential nominee, when she earned the requisite number of votes from delegates to the Democratic National Convention,” according to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP).
Not only is the gender gap seen in the White House, but in Congress and the Senate as well. As of 2024, women make up only 25% of the US Senate, with 25 members being female and 75 being male. The US House of Representatives and the US House of Congress comprise 29% of women, with 126 female members and 309 male members, according to (CAWP).
At the JHBC OAE ShEconomy event, Beer highlighted important findings and statistics on how closing the gender gap benefits society in totality.
“Women’s contributions to the economy are critical; for example, women account for substantial growth in entrepreneurship and drive significant increases in spending. Yet, gaps remain that hinder economic and social progress,” Beer said.
“Passion fuels my self-advocacy; it’s my drive to make an impact and empower others, not to intimidate or dominate. This commitment to self-advocacy remains essential regardless of the social climate we’re in. While we may face waves of support or resistance, true advocacy is a constant. In moments when women’s rights feel particularly vulnerable, self-advocacy becomes even more important,” Beer said.
Women’s reproductive rights have been a hot topic of issue since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
“Since that devastating ruling, 17 states have banned abortion entirely or severely restricted it, leaving millions without care—especially in the South and Midwest. Obstetricians are fleeing those states since they can’t properly care for their patients—even those women facing life-threatening pregnancy complications,” according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.
“My goal with the JHBC OAE ShEconomy is to cultivate a space where women feel emboldened to advocate for themselves in ways that feel authentic and empowering, providing resilience that stands firm, no matter the climate.”