As always, this is so thoughtful. And it’s actually quite timely - just today, I received an announcement of someone who is currently on maternity leave and has been promoted to a senior director role when she returns later this month. It certainly doesn’t undo the systemic challenges that you’ve outlined here, but it’s a step in the right direction. That being said, so much of it is situational and nuanced. The last thing I would have wanted when I came back from mat leave was increased responsibility at work, but it is promising to see in some places, there is a path for women who do.

Thanks, as always, for giving us a rich essay filled with many things to think about.