The Myth of Meritocracy

Episode 7 of the Feminism NOW podcast, hosted by National Organization for Women (NOW), titled "The Myth of Meritocracy" was published on April 8, 2026 and runs 34 minutes.

April 8, 2026 ·34m · Feminism NOW

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Summary

We often hear that workplaces are meritocratic. But if that was true, would white women and people of color still be earning so much less than men? Would those board rooms be quite so male?In this episode, Kim and Rose sit down with Sarah Kaplan, Founding Director of the Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management to discuss the costs of being a woman and how we can move beyond individual solutions toward systemic change. Whether you’re a lifelong feminist or newly feminism-curious, join us this season as Kim and Rose speak with the movers and shakers defining the feminist movement. Listen to new episodes of Feminism NOW released every other Wednesday. To find out more about the National Organization for Women, visit our website.Leave us a voicemail for us to include in a future episode! Call 202-628-8669 or send a voice memo to [email protected]. Guest: Sarah Kaplan is Professor Emerita and Founding Director of the Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. She is author of several books including the forthcoming Products for the People (published by W.W. Norton). She regularly advises corporations, governments and agencies on board diversity, board governance, the care economy, employment, pay equity, and inclusive innovation. In recognition of her contributions, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.Follow us on social media:Find Kim on Instagram @KimVillanueva_NOW, and find Rose on X @BrunacheRose. Today’s featured chapter is MassNOW, massnow.org and on Instagram and TikTok @MassNOW. Learn more about NOW’s Book Club, Feminist Public Square: https://now.org/national-organization-for-women-book-club/ Find NOW here:Instagram: @nationalnowTikTok: @national_nowBlueSky: @nationalnow.bsky.socialFacebook: NationalNOW

Episode Description

We often hear that workplaces are meritocratic. But if that was true, would white women and people of color still be earning so much less than men? Would those board rooms be quite so male?

In this episode, Kim and Rose sit down with Sarah Kaplan, Founding Director of the Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management to discuss the costs of being a woman and how we can move beyond individual solutions toward systemic change.

Whether you’re a lifelong feminist or newly feminism-curious, join us this season as Kim and Rose speak with the movers and shakers defining the feminist movement. Listen to new episodes of Feminism NOW released every other Wednesday. To find out more about the National Organization for Women, visit our website.

Leave us a voicemail for us to include in a future episode! Call 202-628-8669 or send a voice memo to [email protected].

Guest: Sarah Kaplan is Professor Emerita and Founding Director of the Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. She is author of several books including the forthcoming Products for the People (published by W.W. Norton). She regularly advises corporations, governments and agencies on board diversity, board governance, the care economy, employment, pay equity, and inclusive innovation. In recognition of her contributions, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.

Follow us on social media:

Find Kim on Instagram @KimVillanueva_NOW, and find Rose on X @BrunacheRose.

Today’s featured chapter is MassNOW, massnow.org and on Instagram and TikTok @MassNOW.

Learn more about NOW’s Book Club, Feminist Public Square: https://now.org/national-organization-for-women-book-club/

Find NOW here:

Instagram: @nationalnow

TikTok: @national_now

BlueSky: @nationalnow.bsky.social

Facebook: NationalNOW