BONUS: Carrie Ellen Phillips, Penny Abeywardena, and Oxiris Bardot | Mothers in the Covid era

More than a year into the pandemic, we know it is women who are bearing the brunt of COVID-19's impact. Around the world, women are disproportionally affected by job loss, increased responsibilities around childcare, domestic violence, health, and overall economic inequities—not to mention continued systemic gender and racial bias.

Mother’s Day is a couple of days away, so host Eva Hartling wanted to ask the question: how will it be different this year? One of the biggest changes being faced is also the most heartbreaking: in the US, it’s estimated that 40,000 young people have lost a parent due to the pandemic; meaning the celebration will have a whole different meaning to so many individuals.

So what has changed for moms? This episode features a panel of incredible and accomplished women who weigh in on whether we should be pessimistic or optimistic about the issues and opportunities mothers are facing in a post-COVID-19 world. On this panel, you will hear Penny Abeywardena, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs, and an advocate for social justice, who is mom to a young boy; Carrie Ellen Phillips, co-founder of communications agency BPCM, a sustainability educator & advocate passionate about the circular economy, environmental impact and soil health, and a mom to two young girls and two boys; as well as Dr. Oxiris Barbot, pediatrician and Public Healthcare expert who is the former Health Commissioner for the City of New York, and a godmother and aunt.

This season of The Brand is Female is brought to you by TD Bank - Women Entrepreneurs. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support!