A Bridge to the Future - Navigating the Glass Cliff
We may be at the cusp of breaking through many glass ceilings. Let’s not forget that sometimes as we walk on the bridge to the future, we must navigate the glass cliff.
Dear community,
The last 7 days have been action-packed, to say the least.
I was planning to send out a newsletter last weekend. However, on Sunday afternoon, I’m sure like many of us, the news of President Joe Biden stepping down from the U.S. presidential race and then in short order endorsing Kamala Harris’s bid to be the Democratic presidential nominee, gave me pause.
In less than 48 hours, the former Senator of California and current Vice-President secured the nomination of her party. The last few days have been a whirlwind and full of unprecedented wins: in less than a week, Harris’ presidential election bid has already raised a historic $200 million dollars and there are no signs that this momentum will abate any time soon. Kamala Harris has also gained key endorsements from top Democrats including the Clintons, Nancy Pelosi, and Bernie Sanders. According to the New York Times, as of July 24th, Kamala has received support for her presidential nomination from over 250 elected officials which includes 23 Governors, 45 senators, and 200 representatives. On Friday, the much-awaited public endorsement of the Obamas finally came through, showcased by a video of a supportive call posted on social media.
Speaking of social media, Kamala Harris and her savvy communications team have captured the imagination of the American public, especially younger generations. Millennials are feeling nostalgic watching Instagram videos of the Democratic presidential nominee with 90s icons like singer Lance Bass of NSYNC fame. Singer Charli xcx announced on social media that indeed ‘kamala IS brat’. Many have opined that Kamala’s presidential bid has launched her into a cultural phenomenon with her mannerisms, speeches and dances generating an entire genre of memes and viral TikTok videos. CNN commentator Van Jones summarized it well: Kamala has gone from ‘cringe to cool’.
Ever since Kamala announced her presidential bid, the energy has been palpable and reminiscent of the hope felt during the ‘08 Obama election run. It has electrified the Democratic party and the broader American electorate, especially Millennials and Gen Z. Despite the buoying optimism energizing the American public (and all of us around the world), we can’t forget that we are bearing witness to someone who is having to navigate ‘the glass cliff’ in real-time.
In 100 days, when Americans go to the ballot box, they may elect Kamala Harris to become the next President of the United States of America. Glass ceilings may be shattered - the challenge will be how to endure the emotional and political onslaught that comes with that accomplishment.
The glass cliff is the phenomenon when underrepresented communities finally break through the ‘glass ceiling’, it is often during times of crisis and hardship. When they finally enter positions of leadership and influence, equity-deserving communities, especially women of colour, are handed a situation that is incredibly challenging and not provided with adequate resources to succeed. And when they stumble or trip up, they are admonished and shown as proof why underrepresented communities shouldn’t have been selected for the roles in the first place because they didn’t have the ‘right profile’. In reality, they were stepping into precarious circumstances with the odds stacked against them.
In Kamala Harris’ situation, she has been provided the mandate to be the Democratic presidential nominee with only a few months to run the race - already at a distinct disadvantage to her opponent and a more challenging situation compared to Democratic presidential nominee predecessors before her. On top of that, Kamala is already facing a torrent of disturbing racist and sexist tropes coming to the fore like disrespectful articles undermining her preeminent qualification for the office such as saying she might become America’s first ‘DEI’ president. Instead of challenging her on policy or her record, opponents are signalling she is unfit to lead because of her identities. Amidst the challenges, Kamala’s campaign launch has been breaking all records and she is positioning herself well as the ‘prosecutor’ ready to take on the ‘convicted felon’.
It will be interesting to see how the next few months roll out in the lead-up to perhaps the most consequential election of our times. Let’s not forget though that in all our efforts to build a bridge to the future, many leaders who are ‘the first, the only, the few’ are also dually navigating the glass cliff, as we are witnessing with Kamala.
On a personal note, I encourage you to do your part in supporting ‘the first, the only, the few’ in your sectors who are breaking through different types of ‘glass ceilings’ and overcoming a multitude of systemic barriers. The expectations are immense so think about how you can provide resources and build alliances to counteract less-than-ideal conditions as well as engage in mentorship to emerging leaders so they are set up to succeed instead of the opposite.
–
Till next time! Take good care and wishing you a wonderful summer ahead.
Looking forward to reconnecting in a few weeks to celebrate International Youth Day coming up on Monday, August 12th!
With heart + determination,
Anjum
PS: If you want me to circulate jobs, professional development opportunities, and events in future newsletters, please get in touch with me at anjumsultana.mph@gmail.com.
PPS: If you haven’t yet, hit the subscribe button below.
Events to learn + network
The Impact of Wildfires on Children and How To Protect Them - Virtual Roundtable | UNICEF Canada | Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 from 1 pm to 2 pm
Women in Politics | The Canadian-Muslim Vote, Equal Voice, Canadian Council of Muslim Women | Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm
National Muslim Student Leadership Summit | National Council of Canadian Muslims | August 23-24, 2024 in Toronto | Register here
Opportunities to stretch + grow
Register for Learning Circles on Employment for Young South Asian Women and Gender Diverse Individuals Across the GTA | South Asian and Tamil Women’s Collective | Sessions on July 29, July 30, August 6, August 8
Youth Council | Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis | Deadline July 31, 2024
ONE Global Activist | Deadline July 31, 2024
Fall Internship in Public Affairs and Government Relations | Wellington Advocacy | Deadline August 2, 2024
2025 Federal Pre-Budget Submission | Deadline August 2, 2024
Board Director | Ontario Council for International Cooperation | Deadline August 6, 2024
International Youth Internship Program | Atlantic Council for International Cooperation | August 15, 2024
Become a Mentee/Mentor | Mentornet Program by Canadian Association for Global Health | Deadline August 18, 2024
Board Director | Equality Fund | Deadline August 30, 2024
Racial Justice Awards Nomination Form | Urban Alliance on Race Relations | Deadline September 13, 2024
Board Director | CanWaCH | Deadline September 30, 2024
CanStudyUS 2025 Virtual Fellowship | The Dais | October 27, 2024
35+ jobs in policy & public affairs & more
Director of Member Engagement and External Relations | Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada | July 28, 2024
Community Engagement Specialist | Global Compact Network Canada | July 31, 2024
Vice President, Public Affairs | Universities Canada | August 2, 2024
Officer, Education & Youth Engagement | Aga Khan Foundation of Canada | August 5, 2024
Coordinator, Education & Youth Engagement | Aga Khan Foundation of Canada | August 5, 2024
Policy Advisor | Niagara College | August 6, 2024
National Director, Communications & Marketing | YWCA Canada | August 6, 2024
Director of Policy | National Institute on Ageing | August 9, 2024
Senior Manager, Content Strategy | Plan International Canada | August 9, 2024
Policy Analyst, Health System Transformation | Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario | August 9, 2024
Manager of Policy & Government Relations | Daily Bread Food Bank | August 12, 2024
Advocacy and Engagement Specialist | Daily Bread Food Bank | August 12, 2024
Stakeholder Engagement Lead | City of Toronto | August 15, 2024
Vice President, Strategic Policy & Partnerships | CivicAction | August 23, 2024
Lead, Government Engagement | World Vision Canada | September 6, 2024
Director of Community Impact | Foundation for Black Communities
Manager, Strategic Communications | CPP Investments
Public Affairs Specialist | BC Dairy Association
Vice President, Policy | Public Policy Forum
Director, Public Affairs | Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Senior Manager, External Affairs | Takeda Canada
Director, Government Relations & Advocacy | MedicAlert Foundation Canada
Intern, Advocacy and Public Policy | Jack.org
Vice President & Global Head, Social Impact | Scotiabank Canada
Senior Director, Strategic Engagement | Public Policy Forum
Manager, External Communications | Hydro One
Senior Advisor, Communications & Engagement | Enbridge
Manager, Shareholder Advocacy | SHARE
Head, Program Funding & Institutional Partnerships | Save the Children Canada
Director of Government Relations & Public Policy | BC Agriculture Council
Manager, Media Relations | Jack.org
Manager of Public Affairs & Media Relations | Paper Excellence
Senior Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Specialist | Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization
Vice President, External Affairs & Communications | Community Savings Credit Union
Public Affairs Manager | HOOPP
Director of Government & Public Affairs | FPX Nickel Corp