International Women’s Day 2020 will be observed on Sunday, March 8th. In honor of Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Barcoding, Inc. is celebrating some of our most inspiring and hardworking women.
International Women’s Day was launched in 1911 by “New Women” and their fellow suffragettes. During a gathering, activists aspired to highlight the institutional and interpersonal oppression of women. In modern society, International Women’s Day commemorates the agency of women and their socioeconomic, sociopolitical, cultural, academic, and legal achievements. International Women’s Day encourages the strengthening of the feminist movement. Founder of Ms. magazine, Gloria Steinem, stated, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
At Barcoding, Inc., we aspire create a comfortable working environment for all, and encourage prosperity with mentorship programs and flexible work options. Take the time to get to know three incredibly strong women and #SupplyChainGeeks here at Barcoding, Inc.:
Maryse Attar, Enterprise Account Manager
Maryse Attar is an Enterprise Account Manager at Barcoding-Canada. On a daily basis, she exemplifies perseverance, resilience, and leadership and embodies our philosophy of focusing on people, process, and technology.
Check out our Q&A with Maryse:
Describe your job and role at Barcoding-Canada.
I am an Enterprise Account Manager at Barcoding-Canada. My role is to develop and grow the enterprise & strategic accounts. My consultative approach is to provide the best in class value-added solutions for our customers. My first priority, focusing on business processes, people, and technology. Managing and nourishing key relationships with our business partners in our community is a must!
Who is your biggest female role model and why?
My mother has been and is today my biggest female role model. Migrating to Canada in the early ’60s, my mother within 2 months after arriving in Montreal was hired by the Swiss Bank Corporation. She and my father raised a family with 3 children. She had a very important position, responsible for their customer’s investments portfolios. My mother is a woman who is admired and respected by all her friends and family. She has taught me strong work ethics, integrity, and to be caring and respectful.
How have you supported other women in their careers?
My educational and work experience in Industrial Relations have truly permitted me to coach & support my women friends and new business acquaintances that I have made over the years. These women have reached out to me for advice on how to address personal or professional situations in the workplace.
Cathleen Macafity, Sales Operations Specialist
Cathleen Macafity is a Sales Operations Specialist at Barcoding, Inc. Depicted as “infectiously inspirational,” Macafity motivates young women to pursue their dreams and obtain leadership roles. She demonstrates that women can thrive in a career and help build-up other women through mentorship.
Check out our Q&A with Cathleen:
Describe your job and role at Barcoding, Inc.
My role is three-part. I fulfill the orders that are placed. I invoice for customers of Barcoding, as well as maintain the majority of all billing portals. I am also involved in the processing of all of our RMA’s.
Who is your biggest female role model and why?
My biggest role model will always be my mother. My mother was a stay at home mom of 8 children. She was in an abusive marriage (mentally and physically) for upwards of 21 years (most of it secretly) and when she finally got the strength to remove my father from the home, she was left with no workable skills. She then decided to go back to school—she graduated with a degree in Education and became a special needs Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher for 25 years. In all of her hidden pain, grief, and sleepless nights, she always made sure her children came first and their happiness was never affected. She never missed a game, concert, contest, track meet, fashion show or art show of any of us. That is the strength of a woman and a mother.
How have you supported other women in their careers?
Growing up with 4 sisters, sometimes I think supporting women is all that I know. I try to help women when I can. Whether it is a co-worker, sister, or friend. When I decided to leave NY, my co-worker wanted my position as the Full Charge Bookkeeper, but having one accounting class in college years prior she needed to learn all over again. For 4 months, I would come in the office an hour early and stay late just so I could teach her everything I knew as a bookkeeper. She did earn the promotion and in fact, is still the FC Bookkeeper to this day. I was an assistant manager at a clothing store a year ago and I decided to step down in my position. One of the girls came to me and asked me to train her and give her all the knowledge to help her get the position. Although her strength to me was not of a leader then, after training her, showing her the ropes and giving her the tools she needed for her test, she passed and is a great Assistant Manager now. Not to mention, I support local women-owned businesses, write book reviews for newly published women authors and blasting their tour dates on my social medias. I’ve gone to my high school and spoke to the young women that were “at-risk“ from not graduating, I have even done mock interviews for young women to let them know that no matter what the odds are against them, they can achieve it.
Jody Costa, VP of Marketing
Jody Costa is the Vice President of Marketing at Barcoding Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland. Throughout her impressive career, she has advocated for continuing education and careers for women. By strategizing, utilizing business tactics, and crafting successful programs, Costa goes above and beyond for her colleagues. She was the brains behind our Women in Supply Chain Luncheon, was named a 2019 Leading Woman, and most recently participated in a panel discussion for the American Marketing Association.
Check out our Q&A with Jody:
Describe your job and role at Barcoding, Inc.?
Vice President of Marketing is the official title, but my role is really much more expansive. I lead brand, acquisition of new business, and long-term retention of customers. Along with the leadership team, I help shape culture and the strategic direction of the company.
Who is your biggest female role model and why?
Like most of us, our role models tend to start at home. My mom is my biggest female role model—she is a fearless independent, an expressive artist, a generous soul, and an inspiring human who keeps an open mind and heart during even the most challenging of times. Go Mom!
How have you supported other women in their careers?
I believe I support other women the most when I listen. In learning from those around me, I think I allow for us to all benefit from the conversations. I have an open door policy and welcome any chance I get to give back by mentoring, volunteering, or speaking. To specifically support my colleagues at Barcoding, I started the Women Leaders of Thames group, which is now being run by Krystal Carpintieri and Diane Gordon (so proud!). Using your microphone to lift others up and opening spaces for others to lead is what it’s all about!
Happy International Women’s Day!
Barcoding, Inc. aspires to celebrate and commemorate all women this International Women’s Day. Through our active efforts and our leaders, we pursue the equity and justice for all women. Together, we can celebrate what International Women’s Day represents today, and everyday.
