Since 1993, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day has given more than 40 million participants in the U.S. and 187 countries the chance to experience their parents and other adults in action in the workplace. Last year, due to the pandemic, the event was canceled. This year Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is pivoting and bringing the working world into our homes through a virtual career exploration event on April 22, 2021.
“Our new virtual approach will enable us to reach more children with a wider variety of valuable and exciting content, while providing more inclusive access at home or school, no matter their location or their parents’ employers,” says Carolyn McKecuen, Executive Director of Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation.
This year’s theme is “Boldly Moving Forward,” and the event has been widely supported by school systems wishing to provide real-world learning. For those unable to participate during the day, select programming can be accessed for one week following the event.
Here is the exciting programming planned for the virtual events on April 22:
- Two live, moderated 2.5-hour interactive events, with similar programming, will be presented starting at 9 a.m. ET and again at 12 p.m. ET to allow for maximum participation across time zones.
- The keynote speaker for the 9 a.m. ET event is iconic political activist and feminist organizer Gloria Steinem, a longtime champion of the event. The keynote speaker for the 12 p.m. ET event is Gitanjali Rao, TIME Magazine’s first Kid of the Year. Both will appear live.
- Participants will embark on a career adventure that includes live hosts and keynotes and interactive polls, with engaging video programming that underscores diversity and inclusion. Segments provide an up-close look at workplaces as experts in their fields cover more than 15 workplaces across five broad industry segments including STEM & IT, the Arts, Business, Marketing, and Health Sciences.
- The first event will be hosted by entrepreneur Ellen Langas, President of NouSoma Communications and author of the Girls Know How book series, which was recently named Book Series of 2021 by Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation. Courtney Cason, popular TV, entertainment and lifestyle host, will host the second event.
- Content is appropriate for all school-aged children and particularly encouraged for elementary and middle school students. In addition, parents, educators and employers are encouraged to participate.
- A handy Teacher’s Guide and program materials, plus an engaging activity booklet translated into several languages, will be available for download before the event.
“This is a meaningful day when students can focus on learning about the many career choices they have, dream big dreams, and learn how to make them come true,” said McKecuen. “The program will connect what children learn at school with the working world and encourages children to dream without gender limitations and to think imaginatively about their family, work and community lives. It’s the ideal program to share with your children or students, then bring the conversation back to the classroom or dinner table to talk about what your child experienced.”
Programming is made possible through the dedication of volunteers, individual donations and corporate sponsorship including Virtual Job Shadow, Goldman Sachs, Lord Abbett, iHeart Radio, Wasabi PR, Chevron, Hewlett Packard, The Ms. Foundation for Women, and more.
Registration is free, with donations encouraged, at DaughtersandSonstoWork.org
