Celebrate Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the achievements of women throughout history. This annual observance is an opportunity to honor the remarkable women who have made significant contributions to society and paved the way for future generations of women to follow.

Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women throughout history, from famous figures to ordinary women who have made a difference in their communities. Women have made significant contributions to every aspect of society, from politics and science to art and literature.

Throughout history, women have faced many challenges and obstacles, including discrimination, inequality, and lack of representation. Women have fought for their rights and have made significant progress toward gender equality, but there is still work to be done. Women continue to face challenges in the workplace, in politics, and in society as a whole.

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the progress that has been made and to recognize the work that still needs to be done to achieve true gender equality. It’s a time to honor the women who have come before us and to inspire the next generation of women to continue to fight for their rights and make their mark on history.

Some notable women who have made significant contributions to history include:

  • Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields.
  • Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States and a champion of women’s rights and gender equality.
  • Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
  • Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist who escaped slavery and helped hundreds of other slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

These are just a few of the many incredible women who have made a difference in the world. Women’s History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women throughout history and to inspire the next generation of women to continue to make their mark on the world.

Let’s get you back-to-school ready!

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the thought of getting back to school? Have no fear, LYLA is here! Back to school season always sneaks up on us, and we know how difficult it can be to manage your daily to-do list on top of getting the kids organized. A new school year should be exciting for everyone involved, and with LYLA, you can get everything you need done before the first bell rings.

We’ve put together a list of our top tips for getting ready for back to school, and a few of the many ways LYLA can help you feel prepared.

Back to School Shopping!

One of the most important tasks on the back-to-school checklist is shopping for supplies. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have multiple children. Fortunately, LYLA can help take the stress out of back to school shopping by doing the research, compiling a list, and even doing the shopping for you. Plus, we’ll track down the best deals and coupons so you can save money heading into the new school year.

Staying organized is the key to success when it comes to the chaos of back to school shopping. Before you hit the stores, check if your school has provided you with a list of needs for your student! With LYLA’s help, your student can get back to school without skipping a beat!

Carpool!

One of the biggest challenges during this time is coordinating transportation for your kids. Carpooling with other families is a great way to ease the back to school stress. It’ll save you time and money on gas, and give you an opportunity to catch up and connect with other parents! Plus, riding to school with friends is fun!

If you’re new to the area, this might not be an option- and that’s ok! We can provide you with vetted childcare providers in your area, along with after school programs and everything you’ll need to make sure your kids get to and from school safe and on time!

Whether you’re carpooling with other families, taking advantage of your district’s bus route, or in desperate need of after-school care, LYLA can help take the stress out of coordinating this school year’s schedule. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Doctors Appointments!

Back to school also means it’s time to take your kids back to the doctor! One of the things you might be forgetting in all the hustle and bustle is scheduling those back-to-school check-ups. As kids return to class, it’s important to make sure that your child is up-to-date on vaccinations and discuss any health concerns that might arise during the school year. Plus, it’s one less thing you have to worry about when you’re already feeling stressed about the back-to-school season.

With LYLA, you can easily book doctor’s appointments for your kids without having to search through dozens of websites or call around for availability. If you have a trusted doctor, we’ll help organize your next visit! And if you’re new to the area, we’ll help you find a trusted healthcare provider near you. Let’s get your doctor’s appointments done!

The back to school season can be a stressful time for parents. Between shopping for supplies, coordinating transportation and scheduling doctor appointments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where LYLA comes in. Our virtual personal assistants can help you with all of your back to school needs. Check out our website or download the app today for more ways we can help you prepare for the school year. Don’t let the stress of back to school get you down- let LYLA help get your to-do list done!

Show your support during Pride Month!

Happy Pride!

Pride month is celebrated every June to honor the progress that has been made in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, as well as to commemorate those who have fought and continue to fight for equality. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges that still face the community, and to work towards creating a more inclusive world for all.

There are many ways to participate in Pride month, including attending Pride events, displaying the Pride flag, and supporting LGBTQIA+ owned businesses. However you choose to participate, remember that Pride is about celebrating diversity, uniqueness and standing up for the rights of all people.

Here is a list of ways that you can get involved with, and support, Pride Month!

1. Support LGBTQIA+ art and businesses

The LGBTQIA+ community is home to some of the world’s most talented and influential artists, artisans and performers. You can support them in a variety of ways including purchasing their art, visiting a museum or gallery, or catching a concert, play, poetry reading or drag performance.

LYLA can help you plan a night out, recommend LGBTQIA+ films and literature and connect you with local LGBTQIA+ owned businesses to support!

2. Educate yourself on the history of Pride Month

Pride Month is celebrated every June to coincide with the Stonewall Riots, which is considered by many to be the starting point of today’s gay activism. The first Pride parades marked the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, when police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City in 1969.

The protests marked a turning point in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and helped to catalyze the modern Pride movement. This month is about uplifting voices, celebrating culture and supporting the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.

3. Display the Pride flag

Perhaps the most accessible way to participate in Pride Month is displaying the Pride flag. The original rainbow flag, developed in 1978, was designed to reflect the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. The Progress Pride Flag, designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018 is currently the most-used and accepted flag, due to the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and current issues surrounding trans people. The Progress Pride Flag is even more inclusive of the greater diverse community. To read more about the Progress Pride Flag, visit this link.

Whether you’re flying the flag outside your home or business, or displaying a sticker on a desk, a shop window, a car windshield or a pin on a jacket, the flag is a symbol of your support and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community.

4. Evaluate your place of work’s LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity

Today, mental health and inclusivity are at the forefront of conversations around workplace culture. At LYLA, we know the importance of these conversations and work with our clients’ Employee Resource Groups to elevate their activities and messages. Pride Month is the perfect opportunity to take the time to evaluate your company’s inclusivity initiatives to create a workplace where LGBTGIA+ employees will feel valued and accepted.

5. Volunteer or Donate

Pride Month is a time to come together and support one another by getting involved with charities and organizations that work to improve the lives of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. These organizations provide vital services like counseling, crisis intervention, and advocacy while also working to create inclusive environments where all people, especially young people, can feel safe and supported.

By donating to and volunteering for LGBTQIA+ charities and organizations, you can help create a more inclusive world for everyone. Let LYLA help you find causes to support in your area!

6. Have open conversations

There are myriad challenges that still exist within the LGBTQIA+ community, and it’s important to have open conversations about them and how we can work together to create a more accepting world. It provides an opportunity for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to come together and share their stories. These conversations help to build understanding and acceptance and are an opportunity to ask questions and educate others.

If you’re looking for ways to initiate these conversations within your workplace, with your friends or even in your home, LYLA can help! Visit our app for a list of curated resources that can help you to host open, productive discussion!

There are many ways to show your support during Pride Month, both big and small. Be sure to check out the LYLA app for more ideas on how you can make a difference.

LYLA Celebrates Women’s History Month 2022

March is officially Women’s History Month. It’s a month dedicated to celebrating women’s contributions and accomplishments throughout American history, and looking forward to future achievements.

Gender equality has always been a hot topic. In the last 100 years, we’ve seen more women in politics, powerful female entrepreneurs and female artists changing the creative industry. While these contributions have changed what it means to be a woman in modern day, true gender equality in North America isn’t expected until 2084.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021 indicates that closing the gender gap varies by country and continent. At the current relative pace, gender gaps can be closed in 52.1 years in Western Europe, 61.5 years in North America, 68.9 years in Latin America and the Caribbean and in all other regions of the world it will take over 100 years to close the gender gap.

Supporting and acknowledging intersectional groups of women is imperative to making progress in the fight to close the gender gap worldwide.

“… intersectional feminism is the understanding of how women’s overlapping identities — including race, class, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation — impact the way they experience oppression and discrimination.” – USA Today

Women’s History Month is dedicated to celebrating all women. LYLA’s partnerships with minority and women-owned businesses, are providing access to potential customers and to data that, on their own, they couldn’t have access to. We’re boosting their visibility, sending clients directly to them, and improving their sustainability as small businesses.

As a female owned and operated organization, LYLA is dedicated to continuing to support our clients in their daily and professional lives–it’s the core of our foundation.

This month, let’s celebrate the many contributions and accomplishments of all women by supporting female and minority-owned businesses, educating ourselves on women’s history, and doing our best to make the future of female stronger than ever before.

Check out the LYLA app for more ways to get involved with Women’s History Month.

Black History Month And Wellness

Black History Month is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the many contributions and sacrifices made by the Black community throughout United States history.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) designates a new theme each year, and this year’s focus is on the importance of Black health and wellness- a theme that is especially important as we enter our third year of the coronavirus pandemic.

ASALH describes this year’s theme as one that “acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well.”

The Black community has suffered a long history of disparities when it comes to health and wellness. These disparities are largely due to the inaccessibility to resources and insurance, as well as the lack of diversity in healthcare facilities. This year’s theme is meant to inspire the Black community to think deeply about their physical and mental health, and ultimately make positive changes for overall Black wellness.

At LYLA, we know the importance of health and wellness. We are honoring Black History Month and doing our best to inspire positive change through connections. We can connect you with healthcare resources, highlight Black-owned businesses, connect you with organizations supporting equality and the Black community, and even help take care of things at home so you can prioritize your health and wellness.

Want to learn more about Black History Month? Check out these organizations:

ASALH, NAACP, NWBJI

LYLA: Embracing Technology, Empowering People, Making a Difference!

I love reading about the positive impact LYLA has on the people we serve, as well as the communities we operate in. The most recent article showcasing our Solution Center in Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin highlighted those things beautifully!

As a team, we tackle the “to-do” lists of thousands of hard-working people across this beautiful country. When the pandemic hit, those “to-do” lists shifted focus. Instead of planning overseas vacations, detailing cars, walking dogs and identifying the best live concerts, we were suddenly creating learning pods, setting up home offices, rescheduling weddings, negotiating bill repayments and orchestrating care packages for frontline workers. We became an essential resource when all other support systems seemed inaccessible. Our utilization increased by 200% which really forced us to examine the way we had evolved as a company. And so, we reimagined Errand Solutions into LYLA, in recognition of our revolutionary tech: the Love Your Life App.

Our direction is very deliberate and purposeful. We apply three criteria to virtually everything we do: Talent, Technology, and Community. We picked Land O’ Lakes exactly for these reasons, based on our core criteria. Here’s how:

Talent: The area is filled with wonderful people who have mastered problem solving through multi-tasking, while bringing a Midwestern work ethic and charm to every task. When you communicate with LYLA, you’ll be warmly greeted by the team in Land O’ Lakes; they’ll personally tackle whatever you need to be done with grace. The local college Nicolet College was essential in helping us spread the word.

Technology: Land O’ Lakes invested in broadband and the local provider ChoiceTel quickly put our infrastructure in place and made it possible for us to operate in an area that had been previously burdened with low connectivity. Their proactive investment has inspired other communities to replicate the infrastructure and has attracted other technology start-ups like Sitecast to the Northwoods.

Community: Small towns like Land O’ Lakes value having access to high paying jobs that can support families in their communities, so they go the extra mile to help make the companies supplying those jobs successful. They connect new businesses with resources focused on attracting entrepreneurs such as the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation, the Land O’ Lakes Chamber, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help from these amazing organizations.

What we do and where we do it matters—it matters to those LYLA serves, it matters to where LYLA operates and it matters to who LYLA employs.

Just ask LYLA.

In gratitude,

Marsha McVicker

Founder & CEO