Reflecting on Women’s History Month at Applied Systems

Women’s History Month, celebrated every March in the United States since 1987, honors the significant achievements and lasting impact of women across generations.

This year’s theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” celebrated women who are leading sustainability efforts across environmental, economic, educational, and social justice movements. Throughout the month, we honored and amplified women’s leadership, recognizing the powerful role women play in nurturing stronger communities and creating a brighter future for all.

Team Applied came together to celebrate, learn, and show up for one another through a series of meaningful events. Let’s recap how we marked this important month.

A Sweeping Virtual Journey Across America

Nearly 100 team members came together for our Women’s History Month Virtual Tour – a dynamic, 360-degree experience that brought to life the women who transformed America, then and now. From fearless pioneers and determined suffragists to visionary civil rights leaders, groundbreaking artists, and cultural changemakers, this immersive journey spotlighted women who defied expectations and reshaped our nation’s story.

Attendees experienced powerful turning points, unexpected triumphs, and the voices that sparked movements still echoing today. The tour also shined a light on contemporary leaders building on this legacy – proving that history isn’t just something we remember; it’s something still being made. It was a celebration of courage, creativity, and conviction that continues to move us all forward.

Words That Inspire: Famous Quotes All Month Long

Throughout March, we shared powerful words from women who have shaped our world, whose wisdom continues to resonate. These quotes served as daily reminders of the strength and vision women bring to every field and every generation. Here are a few that especially resonated with Team Applied:

“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

— Marie Curie (1867–1934), physicist and chemist

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

— Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005), U.S. congresswoman

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.”

— Serena Williams, professional tennis player

These words reminded us that leadership takes many forms — and that the courage to show up, speak out, and lift one another is a tradition worth carrying forward every day.

International Women’s Day: Give to Gain

International Women’s Day is a global call to action — a reminder that when women are supported, empowered, and given meaningful opportunities, entire communities rise. This year’s theme, Give to Gain, highlighted a powerful idea: when we intentionally give our time, knowledge, resources, and support to one another, we create shared progress that benefits everyone. It’s a collective invitation to lift as we climb, especially in fields like technology where women and girls are still underrepresented.

Our colleagues in India held a panel discussion that discussed gender expectations and the ways women leaders have navigated and reshaped them to succeed. The conversation reflected the Give to Gain spirit by highlighting the value created through allyship, encouragement, and shared growth.

Tammi Shapiro, SVP and General Manager, Benefits Solutions at Applied Systems, wrote an article for International Women's Day that discussed how women's leadership is essential to the modernization of insurance, particularly in the benefits space. She emphasized that diverse perspectives produce better-designed solutions and provided advice to women entering the industry.

In honor of the day, we spotlighted the two organizations our Women in Technology at Applied (WTA) Community of Interest (COI) supports year-round:

• Girls Who Code: Expanding opportunities for girls and nonbinary students in tech by providing pathways into computer science
• Dress for Success: Empowering women with professional attire, career coaching, and tools for long-term economic advancement

Both organizations are powerful examples of Give to Gain in action. Each contribution – whether it’s access to education or professional empowerment – creates a ripple effect of growth, advancement, and community impact. We’re proud to support their missions alongside WTA!

Introducing a New Speaking Series: AmplifyHER

One of the most exciting moments of this year’s Women’s History Month was the launch of AmplifyHER – a new speaking program created to elevate women’s voices, highlight practical professional development skills, and spark meaningful conversations across Applied. The series features leaders from both within and outside Applied, offering diverse perspectives on communication, confidence, advocacy, and career growth. It’s designed to be a space where Team Applied can learn, connect, and build the skills that help us champion one another.

The series kicked off on March 23 with its inaugural session, AmplifyHER: Practical Ways to Champion Women in the Workplace, featuring Kathy Hrach, SVP of Product Management, Ivans; Kim Knopik Director of Customer Support; and Tracy Ustinov, VP of Customer Support. This moderated conversation focused on tangible ways we can all amplify women’s voices and strengthen inclusion in the workplace. Attendees walked away with insights on ensuring women’s ideas are heard in team settings, strategies for speaking up with clarity and confidence, and habits we can all adopt to champion ourselves and each other.

And because building our own voices is part of the journey, team members are invited to step up and speak in future sessions on topics they’re passionate about. What better way to sharpen those skills than in a supportive space surrounded by colleagues who want to see you succeed? We’re excited to see where AmplifyHER goes from here and look forward to many more conversations that empower, connect, and inspire Team Applied.

Honoring Women Every Day

Women’s History Month is a meaningful time to reflect, celebrate, and hold space for the achievements of women throughout history. We’re proud of how Team Applied showed up this March to learn from one another and honor the women who shaped and continue to shape our world.

But recognizing and uplifting women isn’t confined to one month. It’s about the contributions women make every single day. The leadership, resilience, and innovation that women bring to Applied make us stronger, and we’re committed to creating a space where every team member can show up as their authentic self and thrive. As we look ahead, we carry the energy of this month forward to continue to celebrate, champion, and lift one another in everything we do.

Check out our Life at Applied page for more stories about how Applied celebrates culture, community, and belonging.