Why do women feel they are doing it alone? The sisterhood of women helping women advance is powerful, growing as a way to increase the representation of women in senior leadership roles. We have led many workshops for women and continue to be surprised that the concept of networking is not understood by many of the amazing young women we meet. It has been our goal to promote networking as an untapped asset that is a way to extend a helping hand from successful women to the next generation of leaders.

At a recent “She Thrives” conference for women sponsored by the San Diego Office of Education, we were inspired to hear the women in attendance embrace a new concept: a community of sisters supporting one another to realize their potential. This community is a powerful asset that helps build confidence and removes the artificial barriers that women perceive as brick walls to advancement. When women are together in community, the barriers are challenged, and the brick walls are changed into glass walls that can be broken.

What should women know about networking? Let’s examine the key concepts and share this with the women across California. Our motto of “sí se puede” (yes, you can) communicates a message of strength that started with Dolores Huerta and extols us to challenge the status quo and be agents of change. Women in California are demonstrating that they accept the invitation; 42 percent of superintendents are women. The number of women who have stepped into the principal role, approximately 52 percent, is even more impressive.

Networking is a skill that requires a woman to have the confidence to attend events where she will meet individuals she admires or who can serve as role models. We remember our own experiences building these connections early in our careers. To enter a room or join an event where admired individuals are present can be intimidating. However, learning to feel comfortable in one’s own skin as an aspiring leader is a big step in advancing one’s potential and making the connections that help you get and keep the job.

Networking is about making connections and building enduring and mutually beneficial relationships. So where does a woman begin? We suggest you look to your ACSA state and regional women’s network events. Every fall, there is a standing statewide conference for women, and it should be on your calendar. There are many other organizations that are focusing on helping women prepare for and move forward in their careers. These include the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators; the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators; other affinity groups; and some local universities and county offices of education that sponsor conferences for women. Don’t miss these opportunities to grow your networking confidence and comfort in meeting women who can share important advice as you continue to advance your leadership.

Your involvement in Academies — such as those sponsored by ACSA — and even doctoral programs that offer opportunities for establishing networks of mentors, colleagues and future lifelong friends is critically important to your advancement and success. We both built connections in our doctoral programs, and those relationships are still a part of our personal and professional lives. In our early days in administration, we recall how — via the women’s group Women in Educational Leadership and also Southern Counties Women in Educational Leadership — it was not uncommon to attend every conference we could to network and meet those in the field who could assist and advise us. It must be something that you look forward to, as there needs to be fun involved in addition to learning from others.

Following are some steps we encourage you to take: