“$1 billion is a lot of money, but I also recognize that it’s only a small fraction of what’s necessary. That’s why I hope the financial commitment I’m making today is seen as both a vote of confidence in the experts and advocates who are already working on these issues — and an invitation for others to join the cause and make commitments of their own. Equality can’t wait, and no one in a position to act should either.”

For the longest time, the people in power were mostly men. However, almost a century after the suffrage movement came to an end, women are proving to change that.

Melinda Gates has announced a pledge of 1 billion dollars over the next ten years to gender equality, specifically for women’s power and influence in America.

Through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as in her new book, The Moment of Lift, Melinda Gates has supported and advocated for gender equality.

“We are right to be outraged. But we’re also right to be optimistic. Americans are no longer willing to accept the glacial pace of change—and I feel lucky to be alive at a time when we no longer have to.”

Although change won’t appear overnight, Melinda Gates and her team at Pivotal Ventures will spend the next ten years focusing on three goals:

• dispelling the barriers women face at work
• creating opportunities for women to scale to leadership positions
• making sure businesses are held accountable for fostering gender equality

Gender-focused policy often gets overlooked amongst other issues that America faces, but there is a sense of urgency that stems from multiple things. Melinda Gates urges people in power to also make gender equality a priority so that the future doesn’t solely lie in the hands of men.

With 1 Billion dollars and a drive to succeed, Melinda Gates hopes to make “power” and “influence” words that also apply to women, not just men.