A “new normal” is something that is different from what has been, and is expected to become usual or typical moving forward. I love this photo of my mom and me for several reasons, including being an example of a “new normal” from my childhood. First, we are running together, getting in some exercise back when women jogging was still a rather unusual thing (and who wouldn’t want to run in such stylish outfits!). Second, this is the photo my mom used on one of her campaign brochures—back when they didn’t even know what to call a woman elected to city council (after deliberation they settled on “councilwoman”).
I spent much of my childhood doorbelling homes in the Seattle area as my mother served in local government (planning commissioner, city council, King County Council). I remember her dragging me to the City Hall and County Courthouse for many late night council meetings, to ERA rallies, and even to meet Geraldine Ferraro, candidate for Vice-President, back in 1984. My mother became a financial advisor after her public service, the first woman recruit to the role at her firm.
Today, my own 13-year-old daughter can participate in sports, see a woman Vice-President, see women as primary bread-earners, see men care giving and cooking, and see the possibilities that were not normal when I was her age, and certainly not normal when my mother was her age.
RBC Wealth Management has even participated by trying to remove barriers to entry for women into the Financial Advisor role through the recent Your Path campaigns, and with employee resource groups like the Women’s Association of Financial Advisors here at the firm, celebrating its 30th year. I am proud to be part of a “new normal” where my daughter’s choices—and my husband’s and son’s—offer a world now open for her to choose. Now if I could just get her to go running with me... #newnormal #girlsrock #krauseandthorpe #womenofrbc
Heather was named a Forbes Top Wealth Advisor and Working Mother’s Top Wealth Advisor in 2020. She is the principal advisor on the multi-generational Krause & Thorpe Wealth Management Team, helping busy families build and preserve wealth.