March is Women’s History Month. And I didn’t know why. Or how it came to be. Or exactly what we actually celebrate every year. So here’s a quick history lesson on how As it turns out, it’s a long-standing tradition to reflect, recognize and celebrate the achievements of women who have shaped history and continue inspiring women to lead the way forward for generations to come. But, history lesson first!

How Women’s History Month Came to Be

Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s as a way to celebrate the contributions of women, including their support of manufacturing and war effort, and was also leveraged to campaign for women’s right to vote. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. He put it simply:

“Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
— President Jimmy Carter

What started as a week-long recognition evolved into a month-long celebration in 1987 when Congress officially designated March as Women’s History Month. Every year since, U.S. presidents have reaffirmed its importance through annual proclamations, reinforcing the mission:

• • Honor the contributions of women throughout history
  • Recognize the ongoing fight for gender equality
  • Inspire future generations to lead and create change

2025 Theme: Moving Forward Together

This year’s theme—“Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations”—is a reminder of the power of mentorship, leadership, and collective progress. It’s a celebration of women who have dedicated their lives to education and empowerment and a call to action for each of us to embrace, elevate, and uplift one another. For me, it’s a great reminder that I have the power, the freedom, and the responsibility to promote women’s skills and create opportunity. Not just for one day or one month, but for a lifetime.

Targa Women Celebrate Women

At Targa, we don’t just talk about supporting women—we live it. Our team is predominantly female, spanning multiple generations, career paths, and life experiences. So, to celebrate Women’s History Month, we gathered for an open, honest, and inspiring conversation about the women who shaped us, the challenges we still face, and how we can continue driving change. We also shared some goofy stories and tasty parmesan cheese fries.

“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
— Ayn Rand

Who has inspired you throughout your life?

Heather: My mother worked away from home as a graphic designer for several years, but about the time I was in fourth grade she moved her office into a bonus attic space above the garage. She managed all her own clients, had photography equipment, a light and drafting table and so many other cool tools. I admire her for her many years long freelance career that also included a few years in-house working for Meredith publishing, publisher of Better Homes and Gardens. I recently helped prepare her to move by clearing out her office. There were over 100 old zip disks filled with client projects, business stationery, royalty-free photo libraries, specialty papers, and all of her old-school typesetting tools. It was a fun reminder of the years when I was younger and worked as her “apprentice ” in that tiny attic office.

Taleen: I was raised by some of the strongest, most amazing women in the world. My mother was always supporting and building businesses with my dad through my childhood and has gone on to build a successful family business with her siblings. I have had wonderful examples of hard work, giving back to the community, and digging deep for family and loved ones in life.

Vanna: (whose mom just so happens to be Heather!): My mom. Not only am I following in her footsteps as a designer, I’m always amazed at how hard she works to make everything look so easy. She juggles her family, her health, her church, and her work with grace and strength.

Alison: When I was 21, I worked at an Italian restaurant with a handful of women who all taught me important things — how to manage a business, how to be a good friend, how to mentor, how to manage parenting along with everything else, how to be strong. They were great influences at a formative time in my life.

Lisa:I am also the child of a working mom. She was so quiet and capable I never realized just how hard it is to manage a family, a career, and a life. It’s not as easy as she made it look! I am so glad she showed me that it can be done, and that it is worth every bit of the struggle!

Heidi: My mom, she was the first of her whole family, and I mean like the whole family to go to university. Unfortunately, it was met with a lot of criticism from the people in her life. Despite that, she completed her degree and she has gone on to do amazing things in her life and she does not even hold ill will towards the people who made her feel so bad about her choice to get a formal education.

“As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.”
— Ruth Bader Ginsberg

The Challenges Still Ahead

While we’ve come a long way, women still face real challenges in work and life. Our team shared some of the biggest issues we believe need more attention:

Affordable Childcare – Too many women are forced to choose between career growth and childcare options that are either inaccessible or unaffordable.

Balancing Expectations – The pressure to “do it all” is real. Women juggle work, family, and personal growth, often feeling the weight of expectation to give 110% in every area of life.

Equity in Opportunity – Women deserve the same professional opportunities and benefits as men. Finding flexible, fulfilling roles that allow women to thrive in their careers and personal lives should not be the exception—it should be the standard.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
— Maya Angelou

What do you do for fun?

Alison: I love running, biking and going to music festivals.

Heather: I like to sing, watch movies, paint, make pottery. I also love going to concerts.

Taleen: I love DIY home projects with my best handy man (that’s my husband!). I also love to spend time on my yoga mat and I have also recently picked up gaming. My favorite game so far has been Hogwarts Legacy.

Lisa: I love being active…a hike in the mountains, golf rain or shine, walk the puppy, anything to keep moving! It’s always refreshing and empowering. I also like to cook (not bake!), and play games with my family, especially poker because I can still crush them!

Heidi: I have found that I really love making bread. Silly maybe, but it is so relaxing for me to slow down and be intentional with my time and with bread, you really do have to be intentional and plan at least a little bit.

Vanna: I spend a lot of my time playing video games with my friends. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with those who I can’t be in person with.

 “Friends. Sisters. Mothers. Professors. When women affirm women, it unlocks our power. It gives us permission to shine brighter.”
— Elaine Welteroth

How do the women in your life or on your team support you?

Heather: They don’t really have to “do” much. Being there and being a sounding board is really important. We hear each others’ stories…We have each others’ backs.

Taleen: My coven is there for the good, the bad, and the ugly. They show up to build me up when I need it and ask for my power and support in their moments of need. We share phone calls, funny memes to keep going some days, eat bad food together and remind each other that tomorrow will be better.

Lisa: I love “my girls.” We all get that the struggle is real. Sometimes they’re just there for moral support, a hug, or for some real-world advice that helps me navigate this messy life. I hope that I provide the same invaluable support for the women around me, and future generations as well.

Heidi: I really appreciate that the women in my life all come from diverse backgrounds and are just so different. It really helps me to build a better perspective on things. I feel like they are part of making me a better, more understanding person.

“Well-behaved women seldom make history”
— Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

What advice would you give to women who aspire to be where you are?

Alison: There are mentors all around you, you just have to look for them. They might not be at your job, but in your life, and they can inspire you and teach you a lot.

Heather: Know your software skills, study design, be willing to accept that sometimes your design won’t work, but not because it isn’t good…it just isn’t meeting the needs of the project/client, and that’s ok.

Taleen: Be willing to reinvent yourself and learn something new. Most people take major left turns three to five times during their careers, ending up in unexpected and often gratifying places. Say yes to things that scare you.

Vanna: Why?! Abort, abort! Just kidding, because maybe where I’m at is not where I will end up. That can be scary. Don’t get bogged down in not being where you want to be. Go at your own pace and give yourself grace.

Heidi: If you want to make a career change (I went from healthcare to marketing), surround yourself with people who support you to go back to school and make sacrifices that are already hard.

Lisa: Always keep pushing, stay ahead so you can evolve with the times and stay relevant. And remember that the women around you are invested. They can be mentors, friends, frenemies, leaders, supporters. Be a positive part of this growing circle of support.

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”
— Julia Child

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Heather: Don’t take design criticism personally.

Taleen: Anybody can not try ~ Mom

Lisa: If you can, you do.

Vanna: Avoid comparison, seek inspiration.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
— Jane Goodall

How do you stay productive and motivated when you’re feeling burned out?

Heather: Listening to music while I work, taking time off when needed, giving myself an attitude adjustment.

Taleen: Even through low and hard times, my team motivates me to keep driving and trying. Making sure that I create good projects and good work for them to do.

Alison: The hybrid work schedule has been huge for establishing and maintaining work/life balance. I love going to our beautiful office two times a week! The days that I am home I have time to fit in a quick run with my dog, Rosie, and make sandwiches for my kids when they come home from school. It feels like a win/win and everyone is happy!

Lisa: Practice gratitude. I am thankful for this career, for the amazing people I work with, for opportunities to grow and create. Oh, and I swear like a sailor at times. It helps.

Vanna: The best thing I can do for myself is take a “productive” break. Spending 10 minutes doomscrolling on my phone is only going to provide relief in that immediate moment. But going outside and just sitting with myself? That always helps me reset.

“You never have to ask anyone permission to lead. When you want to lead, you lead.”
— Kamala Harris

In the next year, what are your goals for helping support women in business and in life?

Alison: I’ve always believed in the power of supporting women, both in my career and in my personal life. Fortunately, I have experienced great support from my colleagues and peers in the workplace, which has only reinforced my commitment to supporting women’s advancement.

Heather: I’m hoping to support young female designers in finding fulfilling work.

Taleen: My goals over the next year are to create good runways for my team, to empower them to grow and expand their skill sets. Everyone needs to feel like they are progressing; it’s human nature to need those opportunities and it is important to me that those moments are seen and offered.

Lisa: I am so motivated to ensure that future generations of women have the same — or more — opportunities than I have. We have to constantly work to ensure that the rights we’ve fought for are not eroded away. I have a daughter and nieces and younger co-workers. I want them to be safe and celebrated and free to become the best and happiest they can possibly be.

Heidi: I think that the most important thing for me in this coming year is to just love the women in my life where they are at. I have so many friends and family that are in different seasons of life and that means that they all need something else. I want to be part of making them feel supported and happy where they are.

The Power of Women, The Power of Us

Women’s History Month isn’t just about looking back—it’s about moving forward together. It’s about continuing the work of the trailblazers before us, supporting each other now, and inspiring the next generation to break even more barriers.

At Targa, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women—not just this month, but every single day.

How will you celebrate, uplift, and support the women in your life?