6  |  HBAdvantage We’re about halfway into 2018 and already it has been one for the record books. The #TimesUp movement thrust women in the workplace issues into national headlines, Tammy Duckworth became the first senator to give birth while in office, Meghan Markle tied the knot into the Royal Family and the HBA welcomed their 10,000th member. This year alone the HBA has added more than 2,000 individual members. HOW DID WE GET HERE? A little over 40 years ago, five women came together in New York City with a shared vision: to open up doors within the healthcare and life sciences industries for women. They knew that as a united force, women had the power to enact change in these predominately male industries, and together they set forth to create a space for women to thrive. The founders recall that somewhere between 80 and 100 women showed up for their first public meeting, which solidified their beliefs that there was a major need for an organization such as the HBA, an organi- zation focused on advancing women and their impact. In the HBA’s bylaws, one of the original goals was “to give recognition to the work being done by women in the industry” and it still holds true today. 10,000 Strong&Counting! INCLUSION  |  PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT  |  BUSINESS GROWTH  |  RADICAL HOSPITALITY