The only time I’d ever flown first class was on my honeymoon. It was glorious and extravagant, and part of me wanted to reserve that experience solely for my honeymoon. Silly young-girl-in-love thoughts.  

That was until the day my business partner suggested (c’mon she really insisted) we fly first-class because we had just raised a pretty big Series A round of funding. This wasn’t to London or Paris or anything, just a hop down to LAX from SFO, but she wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. This is just the way she rolls and I respect her for that.

Ever since, I have this little practice. When I walk through first class toward coach, I look closely at who’s already been seated. I look for a powerful business woman sitting alone.

And sadly, very sadly, I hardly ever see her.

Maybe you’ve noticed this too. When I look, I see mostly men. Sometimes I see a woman, but she usually looks like she’s sitting next to her partner. I rarely see that badass woman, sitting tall and alone. I want to see her. I want to see her not wearing a big diamond, but wearing fabulous shoes. Yeah, girl, I see you. And you look good. No man bought you those shoes, you bought those shoes. You worked for those shoes. You sit in first class, watching us filing back to our tiny seats in coach, knowing that you worked hard for that seat. Ms Fabulous could have booked a coach seat, but no she sits there sipping her complimentary champagne and I hope it tastes delicious.

Ladies book first class. Just do it.

If men deserve it, you deserve it.

Work your ass off and demand to fly first class. We deserve a seat at the table and we have EARNED first class. When I see you sitting there, know that I’ll high-five you as I walk by, or maybe listen to my own advice and sit down next to you.

.