In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Recording Academy's Washington D.C. Chapter hosted "Power In Women: Blueprints in Leadership," featuring a conversation between Chief Awards & Industry Officer Ruby Marchand and GRAMMY-nominated singer WAYNA. The event focused on the role of women in music and promoting diversity within the industry.

On March 15, the tight-knit D.C. music community gathered to attend the intimate discussion powered by impactful dialogue and insightful moments where the two women discussed the power of women in music and Ruby’s professional and Recording Academy journey.

Sharon Ingram, Executive Director of The D.C. Chapter of The Recording Academy, opened the Blueprints in Leadership conversation by addressing the astonishing women working at the Recording Academy. "The Academy’s goal has been achieved with intention, and I feel so grateful to work for a company that has no problem elevating women, and to have a board that firmly believes in the power of diversity."

Ingram also addressed the Recording Academy's efforts to reach gender parity by adding 2,500 women voting members by 2025, a goal that is just two percent away from being met.

Speaking to the next generation of women in music, Marchand gave the audience advice on how she overcame the ideas of imposter-syndrome that so many women face in the music business.

"I bring out that fearless quality, which we all have. It’s like a muscle, you have to use it," she said. "We all know what it is to feel fearless, but we often don’t reach for it. But the more we reach for feeling fearless, the more we empower ourselves to take risks."  

Marchand finds herself uniquely positioned to continually elevate women who need support in the industry.  "That’s how I fight back. I do it through looking at the next generation," Marchand emphasized. "None of us is an army in one."

Now, more than ever, the Recording Academy is focused on uplifting future generations of women in music. It's crucial to elevate the power within. 

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