To celebrate Women’s History Month, we sat down with some of the team members of MGO to hear how the challenges they have faced as women have motivated them to serve as inspirations for the next generation.
MGO: Tell us your name, where you are from and currently live, department and title, fun fact about yourself:Lorna Donohoe: Lorna Donohoe, I was born in Ireland and currently live in Los Angeles. I am currently Managing Director of Strategy and Partnerships for Cannabis Practice. Fun Fact: I am a certified sommelier and owned and operated an award winning wine bar and restaurant “Wilde” in LA for 4 years where I sold wines by female winemakers.
MGO: Who is the most influential woman to you? How does she inspire you?Donohoe: Just one? There are so many. I admire Michele Obama for using her voice to promote health care, equity and women’s issues. Amal Clooney for her work in Human rights. There are also a lot of younger role models like Malala Yousafzai who survived being shot as a child going to school and now campaigns for women’s rights and education access for girls. Amanda Gorman – the poet. I am inspired by working moms all over the world (not to diminish women that can't or don’t have children), but working moms are truly pulling double duty against a lot of challenges right now.
However, the most influential female for me right now personally is probably my 8 year old daughter – she definitely kicks my butt and inspires me to be better, do better and be a good role model She gives me purpose.
MGO: Who is your favorite female historical figure? What do you admire about her?Donohoe: Lady Jane Wilde. She was Oscar Wilde’s mother (Oscar Wilde was a famous Irish writer). Not only was she a published (and acclaimed) writer in her own right, she was an early advocate of women's rights and LGBTQ rights, and campaigned for better education for women. She was a suffragette and frequently spoke on women’s rights, successfully campaigning for the Women's Property Act of 1883 (which allowed women to keep their own property after they were married, which was previously not allowed). I named my wine bar and restaurant after her.
MGO: Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation you can share to motivate other women?Donohoe: “You are a woman; that is your superpower.” –Unknown
“If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” –Katherine Hepburn
MGO: What are some of the biggest challenges that women face today? How will these change in the next 20 years?Donohoe: Access to affordable childcare for working mothers (parents) in the US has really set back a lot of progress that has been made. We especially saw it during COVID where huge numbers of women had to leave their jobs to take care of children. Even before COVID the lack of access to affordable childcare prevents many talented women from being able to focus on their careers.
MGO: If you could give any advice to the next generation of women in history, what would it be?Donohoe: Cultivate a positive environment for yourself - surround yourself with people who support you and people you can learn from. Earning respect is better than earning likes. Women so often take care of everyone around them, supporting others ambitions and taking care of others needs before their own, - take care of yourself – you’re the one person who will always be there for you through thick and thin!
