International Women’s Day may be a collective celebration, but its meaning is a personal one. Whether its connotations are one of positivity, solidarity, nostalgia, something else, some or all of the above, its significance is clear. 

It’s a day to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. And, at Root, we could not be prouder of the women that have been part of our journey since our inception in June 2016, and today is a day to say thank you.

It is also a day to hear directly from some of our brilliant female team members, on what International Women’s Day means to them and why they’re proud to work for Root.

Dionne Chasi, Software Engineer

Root has an amazing culture that prioritises career growth and the wellbeing of its employees. I have always been fuelled by ambition from a young age and Root creates the opportunity for me to apply my ambition. There is always an opportunity to learn from colleagues that are on different teams and this has given me the opportunity to learn a vast number of skills. Root allows you ‘to get your hands dirty’ to solve a problem.

As a black woman in the tech industry, representation is often lacking. International Women’s Day holds significance as it serves as a reminder of those who paved the way for us to be in these spaces. Witnessing women take leadership roles in tech is inspiring, as it reinforces the belief that if she can do it, I can too. 

Working at Root has been a transformative experience for me as a career woman. I feel empowered to share my ideas and opinions freely as we tackle our daily problem-solving challenges. Being a woman in tech is a source of pride for me. I've always dreamed of becoming an engineer, and as Oprah Winfrey said, "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams." Thanks to Root, I am well on my way to living the life I've always dreamed of.

Dionne works in the Product & Engineering Team which collaboratively builds and evolves the Root platform to support clients’ ambitions.

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Mareli Rothmann, Senior Client Success Manager

I’ve been at Root for two years now. What inspired me to join Root was their focus on new ideas and tech - that's my kind of excitement. I jumped in wanting to bridge the gap between Root's technology and our clients. Honestly, it's been a great ride so far.

Root's team and the wider industry are mostly men, but I've seen more ladies stepping into this space during my time here. I was the first woman to join the project lead team at Root. It's a client-facing role focused on project work, and I was thrilled to take on this responsibility. But for me, it's not about whether you're a girl or a guy, it’s about being the right fit for the job. My way of looking at things is pretty straightforward: Get the job done. 

International Women’s Day is nostalgic. In the past, females had limited options in the workplace. Most of them stayed at home. So, for me to be able to work full time and manage my home too feels pretty special. I can't imagine not doing this - it's something I'm very proud of. I’m super proud to be a woman and to prove we're just as capable. And, like I've said, it's all about who's best for the job. I believe I'm right for mine, just like everyone else at Root, whether they're women or men.

Personally, I haven’t experienced inequality, but I know it's out there. Maybe my personality has been a shield, but I also believe you shouldn't need to be the loudest in the room to earn respect. That's true for everyone, not just for women.

Mareli works in the Client Success Team, which keeps a close eye on clients and their needs to ensure they are consistently leveraging value from the Root platform.

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As we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women everywhere, we're especially proud to honour the brilliant women who are part of our journey.

Their stories remind us of the importance of fostering a culture of growth, empathy, and inclusivity. But across our industry and society, there is much work that still needs to be done to ensure that every woman has the opportunity to thrive in their chosen field. 

Root is committed to continuing to support and empower women in tech and beyond, breaking barriers and creating pathways for success and a more equitable and inclusive future for all. 

Let's keep pushing boundaries, challenging stereotypes, and uplifting each other. 

Happy International Women’s Day from Root.