Closing the Gap: A Woman’s Guide to Salary Talk

Womens Journal Staff 2 on August 4, 2025

Salary discussions can feel intimidating, especially when there is a significant gender pay gap in many industries. Despite progress, women often find themselves at a disadvantage when negotiating salaries or discussing compensation in the workplace. The good news is that with the right preparation and strategies, women can close this gap and ensure they are paid fairly for their work. Here’s how to approach salary talk confidently and effectively.

Understanding the Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap refers to the difference in average earnings between men and women, often for the same roles. Though it has narrowed over the years, studies continue to show that women earn less than men in many professions. The gap is influenced by various factors, including systemic biases, unequal opportunities for career advancement, and women’s underrepresentation in higher-paying fields. Recognizing this reality is the first step in understanding why salary conversations are so crucial for women.

By addressing the gender pay gap head-on, women can advocate for their worth, challenge the biases they face, and work toward closing the wage disparity. It’s important to approach salary negotiations armed with facts, confidence, and the knowledge that fair pay is not only deserved, but necessary.

The Importance of Preparation in Salary Negotiation

Closing the Gap A Woman's Guide to Salary Talk

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Before entering a salary discussion, preparation is key. Understanding your market value, the typical salary range for your position, and your unique qualifications are essential to setting a strong foundation for negotiation.

Start by researching the salary benchmarks for your industry and job role. Websites like Glassdoor and PayScale can provide valuable insights into the average salary range for your position in your location and industry. It is also important to consider your education, experience, skills, and the specific demands of your role. Having a clear picture of what others in similar roles earn allows you to make an informed argument when discussing your pay.

Preparation also involves assessing your accomplishments and contributions to the company. If you have taken on additional responsibilities, led projects, or achieved measurable results, these are all valuable talking points during your salary conversation. Being able to demonstrate how you have added value to the organization will strengthen your position and highlight why you deserve a higher salary.

Timing Is Everything

Choosing the right moment to bring up salary discussions is as important as the conversation itself. Ideally, salary talks should happen during performance reviews or when there is a clear opportunity to negotiate, such as after completing a successful project or taking on a significant new responsibility.

If a formal performance review is not scheduled, finding a time when your manager is not rushed or overwhelmed will increase the likelihood of having a productive conversation. Schedule a one-on-one meeting and clearly communicate your desire to discuss your career development and compensation. This ensures that your discussion will receive the attention it deserves.

Avoid bringing up salary discussions during stressful times, such as company downturns or layoffs, as this can lead to less favorable outcomes. On the other hand, when a company is performing well or you have successfully contributed to a major project, those are optimal moments to initiate the conversation.

Communicating Your Value Effectively

During the salary discussion, it’s essential to communicate your value clearly and assertively. Focus on the contributions you have made and the outcomes you have delivered for the company. Use concrete examples to back up your claims, such as how you’ve increased efficiency, improved team performance, or contributed to revenue growth.

It’s important to practice active listening during the conversation as well. If your manager or HR representative raises concerns about your request, listen carefully and address those concerns with factual responses. For instance, if they argue that the company’s budget is tight, you can discuss your past achievements and how they have benefited the company’s bottom line. Demonstrating that you are a valuable asset and showing how your work aligns with the company’s goals will strengthen your case.

Be prepared to stay calm and professional throughout the conversation, even if the discussion becomes uncomfortable. It’s not uncommon for women to feel pressure during salary talks, but staying composed will help convey that you are serious about fair compensation.

Knowing When to Walk Away

While it’s important to be prepared and confident during salary negotiations, it’s equally important to know when to walk away. If your employer is unwilling to meet your compensation expectations, or if they dismiss your value, it may be time to consider other opportunities. Often, the willingness to walk away can strengthen your negotiating position and lead to a better offer.

When walking away, however, be sure to approach the situation professionally. Express appreciation for the opportunity and make it clear that while you would have liked to continue the conversation, you must prioritize your financial needs and career growth. If the conversation ends without agreement, you leave with dignity and respect while maintaining a positive relationship with the company.

Sometimes, it may not be possible to secure a higher salary immediately, but demonstrating your worth and standing firm in your negotiations can open the door to future opportunities, raises, and promotions.

The Role of Mentors and Networking

Mentorship and networking play a significant role in navigating salary negotiations. Having a mentor who can offer advice and share their experiences can provide valuable insights into how to approach salary talks and what to expect during the process. Additionally, networking with other professionals in your industry can help you understand compensation trends and learn about best practices for salary negotiations.

It’s also beneficial to surround yourself with a supportive network of colleagues and friends who encourage open conversations about salary. By discussing salaries openly, women can reduce the stigma around such discussions and create a culture of transparency and fairness.

Mentors can also serve as sounding boards, helping you to refine your approach to salary negotiations. Their advice, especially if they have experience negotiating in similar industries, can give you the confidence to advocate for yourself in a way that feels authentic and comfortable.

Building Confidence in Salary Discussions

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Confidence plays a critical role in salary discussions, and women are often socialized to doubt their worth or undervalue their contributions. Building confidence comes from knowing your value and being prepared to assert it during salary talks. Practice can help too, role-playing the conversation with a friend or mentor can help you become more comfortable with potential scenarios and responses.

Over time, as women gain more experience in negotiating salaries, their confidence can grow. Regularly revisiting personal achievements and quantifying the impact of one’s work can also help reinforce a sense of worth.

Asserting value is not just about money; it’s about ensuring that contributions are recognized and compensated fairly. Building confidence in these discussions will enable women to not only close the salary gap but also advocate for themselves in the workplace more broadly.

La Femme’s “Women in Agency Festival” Celebrates the Power of Female Voices

Women's Journal Staff on August 4, 2025

By: Tally Daniels

In a time when conversations about creative ownership and female leadership are increasingly important, La Femme Theatre Productions is amplifying voices that don’t just speak, but make an impact.

Beginning August 3 at The Pershing Square Signature Center, La Femme launches its inaugural Women in Agency Festival, a two-week celebration of new plays exploring the various aspects of “agency”—from the governmental to the personal, the structural to the soulful. The performances are free and open to the public, with tickets available via Eventbrite.

Conceived by La Femme’s Executive Director Jean Lichty, the festival emerged from a desire to explore the complexity of ambition, power, and identity through a distinctly female perspective. “I was compelled to explore why women with ambition are sometimes not always affirmed or given space to thrive,” said Lichty, reflecting on the questions that inspired the festival’s creation. What began as a simple idea grew into a fully realized theatrical event that invites audiences to witness agency in all its variety and nuance.

At its heart, the Women in Agency Festival is a celebration of choice, voice, and empowerment. Each play responds to a curatorial prompt to explore agency—not only in formal or institutional settings, but as a deeply personal right: to act, decide, and lead. The result is a diverse slate of work that touches on topics such as bureaucracy, gender dynamics, and personal growth. From Buy Nothing, Remember Everything by Jenny Lyn Bader to Deja Déjà Vu by Tess Inderbitzin, the lineup reflects a broad range of perspectives—and reminds us that a woman’s agency is as unique as her story.

Lichty expresses gratitude when speaking about Bader’s participation. “Having a writer of Jenny Lyn Bader’s talent involved is truly an honor,” she said. “Jenny is a significant voice in American theatre—sharp, insightful, and willing to engage with complex questions. Her play in this festival not only addresses the themes at the heart of the festival, but it also offers a glimpse into what meaningful, impactful storytelling can look like.” Bader, recipient of Theater Masters’ 2025 Visionary Playwright Award, brings a career that spans decades and includes Off-Broadway premieres, acclaimed audio dramas, and essays in The New York Times.

Lichty’s curatorial approach goes beyond content—it’s deeply collaborative. The festival connects emerging playwrights with experienced professionals and celebrates female-identifying artists in all roles: stage managers, directors, designers, and more. “Theater is one of the most collaborative art forms,” Lichty noted. “And it comes to life through the collective talents of every contributor. Our stage managers and creatives are not simply behind the scenes—they are central to the scene.”

This philosophy also inspired The Corner Nest Lab, a new program within the festival that highlights college-aged playwrights under the mentorship of established artists. The idea emerged from a Barnard College mentee whose senior play moved Lichty deeply. “She transformed a personal experience into something so beautiful,” Lichty shared. “I realized La Femme could—and should—make room for more stories like hers.”

The festival also introduces Women on the Verge, a recognition program honoring women who contribute significantly to the industry—often behind the scenes. Whether directing, managing, or producing, these leaders represent the quiet but essential power of collaboration and the importance of making sure a diverse voices are included at every table.

Accessibility remains central to La Femme’s mission. By offering the entire festival for free, the company is working to break down barriers to participation and invite audiences from all backgrounds to join the conversation. “We want these stories to reach as far and wide as possible,” Lichty said. “The goal is to amplify and celebrate the female voice—and that begins with ensuring everyone has the chance to hear it.”
Looking ahead, Lichty hopes the Women in Agency Festival will continue to evolve into an annual tradition—both a showcase and a platform for future talent. “Theater has the ability to reflect who we are and who we might become,” she said. “And when women are at the heart of that reflection, something truly meaningful can happen.”
One story. One stage. One act of agency at a time.

The Women in Agency Festival

August 3–17, 2025

The Linney Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 W 42nd Street

FREE and open to the public. Reserve tickets via Eventbrite

For more information, visit LaFemmeTheatreProductions.org.

Disclaimer: The article is intended for informational purposes only and does not represent political endorsements or any specific stance on political matters. The Women in Agency Festival is an artistic and cultural celebration aimed at empowering voices through theater and creative expression.

Ageless Beauty: Dr. Nazmi Baycin’s Approach to Cosmetic Procedures for Each Decade

Women's Journal Staff on August 4, 2025

By: Hussain Shakir

The idea of beauty aging gracefully is no longer just a dream—it’s a science, an art, and increasingly, a well-informed journey. As women become more empowered to take charge of their appearance, cosmetic treatments are being redefined—not necessarily to chase youth, but to enhance vitality, confidence, and natural beauty through the years.

Few experts understand this better than Dr. Nazmi Baycin, a plastic surgeon whose name is often associated with natural-looking, transformative facelift results. Based in Dubai, Dr. Baycin has an international clientele who travel from Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. for his refined techniques and personalized care.

“Each woman’s face tells a different story,” says Dr. Baycin. “My role is to preserve that story, not rewrite it—just turn the page with elegance.”

With over two decades of experience and a commitment to facial harmony, Dr. Baycin is widely respected for his work in deep plane facelifts, a technique that repositions deeper facial layers for longer-lasting and more natural results. His artistry has earned recognition globally, but it’s his philosophy of subtle, age-appropriate intervention that distinguishes his approach.

So, when should you do what? According to Dr. Baycin, timing is crucial. Here’s his expert breakdown of what cosmetic procedures are often suited to each age—and why personalization is key to lasting beauty.

In Your 20s: Prevention Is Your Key Investment

While the skin is still youthful and resilient, the 20s are an ideal time to lay the foundation for future beauty. Most women in this decade don’t need correction—they need protection.

Recommended Treatments:

Medical-grade skincare and daily SPF: Essential for preventing pigmentation and early aging.
Light chemical peels or laser facials: Help keep pores clean and complexion clear.
“Baby Botox”: Micro doses of botulinum toxin may prevent expression lines from becoming permanent.

“When I see women in their 40s who look amazing, it’s often because they started taking care of their skin early,” Dr. Baycin explains. “Preventative care can make a notable difference over time.”

In Your 30s: Early Intervention and Contour Preservation

This decade marks the beginning of subtle shifts—collagen starts to decline, skin loses some elasticity, and the face may appear slightly less lifted.

Recommended Treatments:

Microneedling with PRP: Stimulates collagen and helps maintain a glowing complexion.
Hyaluronic acid fillers: Gently restore cheek volume and soften under-eye hollows.
Botox: Helps maintain a smooth, expressive face without overcorrection.

According to Dr. Baycin, this is an ideal time for early correction—not because you’re aging rapidly, but because the changes are generally easier to manage.

“The goal in the 30s is to maintain—not to change,” he says. “Less is more, especially when done consistently.”

In Your 40s: The Turning Point for Rejuvenation

By your 40s, facial fat loss becomes more visible. You might notice deeper nasolabial folds, sagging around the jawline, and early signs of neck laxity.

Recommended Treatments:

Thread lifts or Ultherapy: Provide subtle lifting of the mid-face and jowls.
Customized filler mapping: Restores youthful proportions without overfilling.
Laser resurfacing or RF microneedling: Treats texture, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

“This is often the decade when women first consider surgical options,” Dr. Baycin notes. “But many still benefit from advanced non-surgical protocols. It’s about assessing facial architecture, not just the skin.”

In Your 50s: The Golden Age for a Facelift

As collagen depletes and skin continues to sag, especially in the lower face and neck, a well-executed facelift may offer transformative yet natural results.

Recommended Procedures:

Deep plane facelift: Repositions muscle and fat layers—not just the skin—for long-lasting results.
Neck lift: Often combined with facelift for a seamless look.
Fat grafting: Restores youthful fullness using the patient’s own fat.

Dr. Baycin is particularly respected for his deep plane facelift, a procedure that lifts without creating the dreaded “pulled” look.

“A successful facelift doesn’t look obvious,” he explains. “You don’t look ‘done.’ You just look vibrant, well-rested, and harmonious.”

His international patients often describe his work as “facial artistry,” blending surgical precision with aesthetic intuition.

In Your 60s and Beyond: Maintenance and Elegance

It’s never too late to enhance how you feel in your skin. Many women in their 60s and 70s seek touch-ups or first-time procedures with positive results—especially when performed by a specialist like Dr. Baycin.

Recommended Treatments:

Revision facelift or neck lift: For those seeking to refine results from earlier surgeries.
Laser treatments: Address pigmentation and fine lines.
Skincare, fillers, and neuromodulators: Help maintain a fresh, hydrated look.

“Facial beauty is not just about youth—it’s about balance, character, and grace,” Dr. Baycin says. “I’ve performed facelifts on women in their 70s that look completely natural. It’s never too late to feel like yourself again.”

With clinics in Dubai and a clientele that includes celebrities, CEOs, and discerning beauty seekers worldwide, Dr. Baycin is one of the most trusted names in facial plastic surgery today. His work is known for:

Natural, elegant results
Meticulous, personalized treatment plans
State-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical techniques
A deep understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity in beauty

He is frequently invited to speak at international medical conferences and is featured in premier beauty and wellness publications.

Beauty Is Timeless—So Should Be Your Strategy

Whether you’re just starting to think about Botox or considering a full facelift, the key is not to chase trends or rush the process—but to plan wisely, with the right guidance.

“The face is a storybook of your life,” Dr. Baycin says. “We can turn the pages gently, or we can tear them out. My job is to help women choose the former.”

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical or professional advice. Cosmetic procedures and treatments discussed in this article may not be suitable for everyone, and results may vary. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider or licensed professional to determine the most appropriate treatments based on individual needs and circumstances.