Unlocked: How Empowered Women Empower Women

by Jane Finette

According to the World Economic Forum, women lost thirty-six years of progress in 2020 alone, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That's an entire generation lost.

We are living in a world where women still need to fight for access to capital, voice, opportunity, skills, and more. Yet, once unlocked, women hold the key to realizing the true potential of our global society. Author Jane Finette’s debut book, Unlocked - How Empowered Women Empower Women, is a collection of real-world short stories that highlight impactful accounts of incredible female leaders working to propel women and girls forward. Part inspiration, part practical guide, Unlocked demonstrates how these pioneers are creating lasting change, and how you can apply their trailblazing lessons to your life.

Finette’s expert insights show that although the problems and challenges can seem insurmountable, global positive change is being fueled every day by women everywhere. Unlocked was written to encourage and empower women to take action into their own hands, and reach gender equality in our lifetime.

When we lift another woman, we all rise!

Genres: Productivity

308 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2021

About the author

Jane Finette is a passionate advocate for women and girls, a non-profit leader, and author.

In 2014 Jane founded The Coaching Fellowship (TCFS), a non-profit organization which helps advance young women social change leaders, and their work throughout the world. Under her leadership as Executive Director, TCFS grew from helping a handful of women upon its inception to now serving more than 300 young women of impact per year. More than 1,000 women have graduated from The Coaching Fellowship program to date from 70 countries, and now form the Women of Impact Alliance; the largest body of young women social change leaders. TCFS is able to help and catalyze so many women leaders because of the tireless support its 190+ volunteer coach community.

Jane is the author of the book Unlocked – How Empowered Women Empower Women. The book is filled with inspirational, and real world impactful stories of women working to advance women and girls all around the world. Plus, ten easy practical keys for how every woman, can every day, help every sister, rise, and thrive.

She has spent her career pushing the boundaries of community building, and human potential. Obsessed with accelerating social change, Jane builds flywheel systems which magnify participation, and reciprocity to advance a fairer and more equitable world.

Some of her past work includes senior leadership roles building community at global organizations such as Mozilla, eBay, Sotheby’s, and Gooru, reaching hundreds of millions of people. Jane is a certified CPCC ACC executive coach and leadership expert.

In 2020 Jane was awarded the Women Forward Gold Award from the Business Council of Peace for her work and commitment to advancing women.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Unlocked" is a book that the world really needs right now! The stories shared by Ms. Finette are inspiring: how women around the world are building companies and changing cultures in order to continue making the world a better place, not just for women but for all people. I particularly appreciated the 10 key insights crafted by Ms. Finette that point directly to actions that we can all take to continue empowering women. I'm excited to recommend this book to friends, colleagues, and strangers across age groups, industries, life phases, and genders.

[Lisa Kosak · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the 2020 Covid pandemic 36 years of progress for women around the world were lost. Hence, it is critical for women to come together to bring lasting change for equality. Every single one of us can make a small difference in the lives of other women.

I am a fierce advocate for young girls and women to feel empowered. We need our voices heard, access to leadership opportunities, equal pay and growth opportunities, and support one another on the world stage. If you are also passionate, pick up the book Unlocked How Empowered Women Empower Women by Jane Finette.

Unlocked shares how women have gained and lost equality over the years. It is a story of supporting other women on a global scale by taking small actions. The book is a series of stories highlighting women who empower females and make changes to clear the path for others. Examples include insight from Michelle Baker co-founder of Mozilla and Rachel Thomas co-founder and CEO of Lean.In.org.

Unlocked examines some key issues women face and how we can bring change:

• Women are not as well networked as their male counterparts. This impacts growth and connections
• We need to “plant seeds” to help other women grow
• Women need a louder voice in the technology world where approximately 17% of employees are women
• Girls are the future and there must be worldwide investments in education and opportunity for these future leaders
• We all hold the torch. Change happens when we are all advocates willing to rock the boat and become role models
• It does take a village to raise young strong girls
• Lead by example
• Women should talk about money without shame or judgment
• Women must be where decisions and changes are being made – in the boardroom

After reading the numerous stories about exceptional female leaders in Unlocked, you may wonder how YOU can make a difference. It is easy and you are probably doing so every day without realizing it. Here are some suggestions from Jane that she calls “The tens keys to unlock the potential of all women”.

1. Just say yes
2. Tell her she is ready
3. Stand behind her
4. Help her help herself
5. Actually, talk about money
6. Stand up for her
7. Be the example
8. Give her confidence
9. Sent the elevator down
10. Be a sister

Unlocked will ignite your passion to globally support women and possibly awaken your inner feminism. I enjoyed the leadership stories from women in a variety of fields. Reading their experiences, challenges, and how they overcame adversity reminded me of who I am and that I can have an impact.

[Steve Bullington · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've been paying attention at all, you've heard the numbers:

- US cut 140,000 jobs in December 2020. All were held by women

- White women earn .82 on the dollar men earn. (The rate for Black and LatinX women is worse)

- In 2020, women ran just 14 Global 500 businesses.

So how do we start changing the arc of this issue? Mentoring.

I was recently given an early printing of Jane Finette's new book Unlocked: How Empowered Women Empower Women and this book provides not only some incredibly compelling stories but also action items that you can take to support those around you.

Each chapter dissects a challenge that women are facing in the workplace. Jane shares insightful stories gleaned from the 1100 women that she and her team have worked with over the last seven years.

The section that hit me the hardest was the challenges that women face about dealing with wealth. Most financial institutions and instruments were created by men, for men. But as demographics change it is estimated that by 2030, women will control much of the $30 trillion dollars in assets held by boomers. It is a great time to create financial tools that are focused on women's interests and for women to take control of their development of personal wealth.

If you are a women in a leadership role, this book is a must read. If you are a women who is NOT in a leadership role, this book can provide you with a guide to start to build mentoring relationships with the next generation: high schoolers, college students, return to workers. If you are a man that can provide mentorship to rising women, this book will give you perspective to be a better mentor.

It's beyond time to level the playing field and this book is a great place to start.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Unlocked Jane Finette gives readers a gift from her heart and a blueprint for action. In the first half of Unlocked Finette shares interviews she conducted with women leaders and researchers who relate what they’ve gleaned from their experience and studies. Many of these leaders are true pioneers who saw a need that they stepped in to address. For example, Kristy Wallace founded Ellevate Network, which enables thousands of women a different kind of networking opportunity. Or Toni Maloney, who, along with four other New York women, created Bpeace (Business Council for Peace), which enables women entrepreneurs in war-torn countries.

Chapters conclude with key takeaways and actions. Those nuggets provide a segue to the second half of the book in which the author provides keys to upping one’s game as a woman who supports other women. Finette has long walks her own talk with The Coaching Fellowship, a nonprofit organization she founded in 2014 that provides coaching to young women who are committed to being world changers. With “Unlocked” she’s inviting other women to take small steps—say “yes” to requests for help, offer encouragement to another woman, candidly talk about money—to empower other women.

Reading Unlocked is like spending time with a warm, smart, supportive friend who sees the big picture. Finette notes that women are often at the center of change. With the world facing immense challenges, we women are critical to envisioning and creating a better world—and that’s something that best done together. With “Unlocked” Jane Finette has provided a roadmap to do just that.

[Dava Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a book that I read for work. We have a few book clubs at the office. I felt like this book does a lot of repeating of the other books that are in the same genre/category. There was not really anything that I learned that was new or an a-ha moment. It was just reminding people to lift women up. I was also reminding us to allow people to help or to ask for help. When we do not ask, we take away someone's ability to offer help. I am not so sure that I agreed with that one. Some women do not want to be asked to help because they don't want to feel forced into it.

I appreciate what they are trying to do here. However I do not feel that book was helpful for me.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for women. It tells us how with simple actions we can empower other women and support each other. A little support goes a long way. If more women take the decision to support other women we could have a better world for all.
The book is well written, easy to follow and besides the interesting points made is entertaining.

[Julie Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might be good if you’ve never read a book like this before, but it was quite basic and even wrong sometimes, using cherry-picked data. I didn’t get anything new out of this. I felt like some other similar books were much more impactful and true, like Moment of Lift, Power of Women, and Invisible Women.

[Claire Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with inspiring stories from the women who have come before us, eye opening data, and practical tools and ideas to help every woman succeed on her own terms. An insightful read for everyone.

[Judith Saldaña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read with inspiring stories of empowered women who have chosen to pass it on. Well worth your time!

[Rocio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book full of inspiring stories to keep you going.