By Felisa Schneider
Chief Operating Officer, The Carol Emmott Foundation
Each August, we mark the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women in the United States the right to vote. It reminds us of the power of collective action—and of the unfinished work of achieving parity.
The suffrage movement was far from perfect. Many women, especially women of color, were left behind, and their fight for voting rights continued for decades. Still, it was a turning point. It marked the beginning of women gaining a voice in shaping the systems that govern our lives.
More than a century later, The Carol Emmott Foundation carries that legacy forward. Not through politics, but through another kind of power: leadership. We cultivate a diverse community of women and allies in healthcare, committed to equity. Together, we are writing the next chapter—one where women and historically excluded leaders are not just included, but centered in transforming healthcare.
The 19th Amendment showed what is possible when people come together across geography, ideology, and identity for a shared purpose. That unity—built on courage, resilience, and vision—is at the heart of the Carol Emmott community.
Today, instead of organizing for voting rights, we organize for fairness and equity in healthcare leadership. We work across silos, across differences, and across institutions to drive systems change. We believe leadership should reflect the communities it serves. And we know that when diverse leaders are empowered, the results are not only stronger—they are more just.
Like the suffragists, we know that access to power starts with being heard. That’s why we create space for new voices to lead conversations and shape solutions in healthcare.
A Bridge for Connection and Purpose
In today’s polarized climate, bridging divides is rare and necessary. The Carol Emmott Foundation serves as that bridge—connecting leaders across sectors, backgrounds, and geographies, united by a commitment to health equity.
We are intentionally non-partisan. We don’t prescribe one solution, but we do insist on dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for all. Through our Fellowship, Collaborative program, Network, and national gatherings, we create trusted spaces where differences are respected, hard conversations can happen, and innovation grows from inclusion. In doing so, we act as a conduit—connecting not just people and ideas, but purpose and action.
Our fellows and community members are shaping the future of healthcare. They are addressing burnout, tackling maternal health disparities, influencing policy, and redesigning leadership pipelines for full and fair access. They aren’t just pushing boundaries. They are redefining them.
Their stories matter. Their leadership matters. When we amplify their voices—through mentorship, storytelling, and visibility—we show what it means to lead with equity.
This work is not a moment. It is a movement. One that honors the past, understands the present, and builds a future where healthcare leadership reflects the full richness of our communities.
Anniversaries like that of the 19th Amendment ask us to reflect. How far have we come? And how far must we still go? To honor the suffragists, we must commit to finishing their work: ensuring every voice is valued, every leader prepared, and every system fair.
The Carol Emmott community is ready. We are builders of trust, weavers of connection, and stewards of collective impact. In a time when clarity and unity matter more than ever, we remain focused on what matters most: creating a healthcare system—and a leadership culture—that works for everyone.
Let’s keep building that legacy together.