Kenneth Cole Creative Director Emily Cole Says It’s Not Just Women’s Responsibility to Support Each Other: Women Who Rock
When asked if women do enough to support one another, Emily Cole rejected the question. Instead, the EVP, Women’s Creative Director and Product Strategy at Kenneth Cole, said the question we should all be asking is: are our companies, policies, laws, norms, and expectations, designed to support women, and specifically women of color, to enable them to succeed?
“If we are being honest, most of the time the answer is still no. If women aren’t receiving the kind of support they need and deserve, it’s not because other women aren’t doing their part. It’s because men and institutions also must own the problem and work to improve it,” she explained. “[The former questions] shifts the responsibility for creating change away from men and the flawed institutions that women are trying to work within. It also implies that women are the only ones responsible for championing our success. Women have always had to work twice as hard — and women of color even harder — that the burden of supporting each other should be shared by everyone, including men.”
Despite working as a lawyer prior to joining her father’s company, Cole believes the fashion and retail industries are still no different from many other industries with gender disparities in senior positions. Though it’s changing, she said.
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“It will change faster if we keep asking men, in addition to women, what they are doing to try to change it and how are they holding themselves accountable?,” Cole added. “If you are smart, you have to acknowledge that the women who are part of your organization are some of your most valuable resources so making sure your policies encourage women to participate and grow is one of the richest investments you can make in the business. It’s an easy call.”
A version of this article appeared in the Feb. 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On Feb. 4, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at the annual live event in New York City.
