A letter from our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager on International Women's Day

On the 8th of March each year, we recognize International Women’s Day...

...a day dedicated to reflecting on the contributions that women have made to the world despite the many challenges women can face just for being who we are.

Every day at Sledgehammer Games, I work with some of the most remarkable women I have ever met. They contribute to our projects and culture in countless ways. But like the games industry as a whole, the percentage of women and nonbinary folks at our studio is much smaller than the percentage of men, and that comes with a number of challenges.

To the women who can sometimes spend a whole day in meetings without speaking to another woman, I see you. To the women who find it nerve-wracking to self-advocate for your career development and unique circumstances because your managers and leads are all men, I see you. To the women who feel isolated because we’re currently working out of office and you’re not sure how to reach out to women on other teams and build friendships, I see you. No matter the challenge you face, I see you and I’m here to support you.

International Women’s Day (and Women’s History Month) is important, but not as important as tackling the systemic issues that make it harder for women to work in the games industry. As Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager at SHG, it is my privilege and responsibility to give marginalized groups new avenues for support, advocacy, and amplification.

My commitment this International Women’s Day is to recognize the challenges of my fellow women at Sledgehammer Games and dedicate myself to taking meaningful action so I can return to this blog this time next year and share the tangible steps we have taken to improve our studio for the women who work here and the women who might work here in the future.

Alayna Cole 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager