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Our Stories, Our Impact: Closing Women’s History Month with Purpose and Progress

Published: Monday March 30, 2026
alycia anderson insurance diversity task force member pictured next to a heading staing womens history month her name and title on a multicolored background

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I find myself reflecting not just on the stories we’ve told, but on the impact we are continuing to build.

This year, I had the honor of being featured in the California Department of Insurance’s Women’s History Month video series, “Our Stories, Our Impact.” Shared across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and beyond, this campaign elevated the voices of women shaping industries, breaking barriers, and redefining leadership.

To be included is deeply meaningful. Not just for the visibility, but for what it represents.

Honoring the Past, Activating the Future

Women’s History Month is about recognition, but it is also about responsibility.

It is about carrying forward the legacy of those who fought for access, equity, and opportunity, and ensuring that our actions today continue to expand what is possible for the next generation.

My hope is that the respect and awareness we cultivate in March does not end here, but becomes something we live, practice, and advocate for all year long.

A Historic Appointment

This year also marked a milestone in my own journey.

I was appointed in June of 2024 to the California Department of Insurance’s Insurance Diversity Task Force as the inaugural representative for Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises (PDBE), a seat created through the passing of AB 1140 (2023).

This legislation was a powerful step forward. It:

  • Required major California insurers with $75M or more in premiums to report on procurement with disability-owned businesses
  • Defined disability-owned businesses as at least 51% owned and controlled by individuals with disabilities
  • Mandated representation of a disability-owned business on the Insurance Diversity Task Force
  • Encouraged inclusive procurement without quotas, focusing on opportunity and visibility

At its core, AB 1140 ensures that disability is no longer an afterthought in supplier diversity conversations, but a recognized and valued part of the ecosystem.

And that matters.

Because this work is about more than representation. It is about economic access.

Why This Work Matters

The insurance industry is a massive economic force:

  • Nearly $1.7 trillion in premiums written in 2024
  • A key contributor to about 8% of U.S. GDP within the finance and insurance sectors
  • A major driver of employment, investment, and economic stability
  • Billions paid annually in claims supporting individuals, families, and communities

When an industry of this scale expands its definition of inclusion, the ripple effect is enormous.

This is about opening doors for the 4 million Californians living with disabilities, creating pathways for disability-owned businesses to not just participate, but lead, innovate, and thrive as suppliers.

Reflecting on the Journey

As I enter the final months of my initial appointment, I am filled with gratitude.

This experience has included:

  • Participating in Insurance Diversity Task Force Quarterly Meetings
  • Contributing to Supplier Diversity Committee initiatives
  • Engaging in Annual Diversity Summits
  • Speaking to the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
  • Sharing my expertise in disability inclusion with CDI staff

Each moment has reinforced what I have always believed:

When inclusion is intentional, impact is inevitable.

– Alycia Anderson

Gratitude for the Allies Along the Way

None of this happens alone.

I am deeply thankful for the allies and organizations who have supported and elevated this journey, including Blue Shield of California, Humana, and so many partners and collaborators who have believed in the value of disability inclusion long before it became a legislative mandate.

Your commitment helped open this door.

Looking Ahead

As I look to the next chapter, I roll forward with both hope and determination.

I have been nominated for Vice-Chair for the upcoming cycle of the Task Force, a step that would likely include reappointment and an opportunity to deepen this work even further.

We will see what unfolds.

But what I know for certain is this:

This moment is not the finish line. It is a foundation.

Final Reflection

Being part of “Our Stories, Our Impact” is more than a feature. It is a reminder.

Our stories matter.
Our representation matters.
Our impact matters.

And when we bring our full identities into spaces of influence, we do not just take a seat at the table.

We help redesign it.

Let’s carry that energy beyond March.