Celebrating Women’s History Month By Celebrating The Women of Hibbett | City Gear

Hibbett | City Gear is a proud supporter of HER, not just in the communities we serve or through brand partnership programs, but in our workforce as well.

In 2021, Hibbett | City Gear was named to Forbes’ list of Best Employers for Women, 50% of Hibbett’s workforce is female, more than 50% of management positions are held by women and four Hibbett | City Gear Board seats are occupied by women.

If you follow Hibbett or City Gear on social media, you may have seen posts throughout the month recognizing female employees from retail locations throughout the country. In total 19 women from YOUR local stores were recognized for their hustle and positive contributions to the success of Hibbett | City Gear as a whole. You can see the full list of honorees below.

Absent so far from this list of Fabulous Females, has been representatives of the Hibbett | City Gear Store Support Center. In addition to the many wonderful women running things locally, the Hibbett Store Support Center is full of more women helping make magic happen behind the scenes. Two of these women are Varetta Banks and Jessica Derrick.

The Hibbett content team had the opportunity to speak with Varetta and Jessica recently about their influences growing up and advice to other women in business. Here’s what they had to say:

Varetta Banks, GMM/Vice President of Footwear

Q: Who was the biggest female influence/role model in your life?

A: My mom….She instilled in me that I can do anything if I set my mind to it.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: “Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you, but on what happens inside of you!”

Q: Why is Women’s History Month important to you?

A: Most of the Women I know place a lot of pressure of themselves to be successful and to properly balance everything. We don’t allow ourselves to take credit for all that we have accomplished and many times we don’t take the time to celebrate each other. During Women’s History Month, I feel that we are allowed to celebrate ourselves and each other.

Q: What advice would you give young girls in the next generation?

A: Try your best to not compare yourself to others and “you” are enough.

Q: What does being a female VP of a large retail company mean to you?

A: I am very fortunate to have several female counterparts at the VP level. We all bring a great deal of uniqueness, expertise, leadership, and passion to the job that I feel has contributed to the success of the company.

Jessica Derrick, Director of Store Associate Engagement

Q: Who was the biggest female influence/role model in your life?

A: That’s a tough one, but If I had to pick one it would be my sister, Heather Herrman. She is a talented writer and my biggest supporter and confidant. She inspires me to be better but reminds me to enjoy the ride. To be proud of those things that I have worked hard to achieve.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: The most effective way to do it, is to do it. “Amelia Earhart”

Q: Why is Women’s History Month important to you?

A: For me, this month celebrates so many amazing women including those that may not be officially recognized for all they do to make an impact on our society in the past present and future. I’m so lucky to work for a company that has so many talented women that I get to interact and learn from every day.

Q: What advice would you give young girls in the next generation?

A: Be yourself! Smile, have fun it’s contagious! Don’t be afraid of hard work. Try something new and don’t be afraid of failing, we all do at some point. Failing can be your best teacher.

Fabulous Females from the Field

• Lisa Weller, DSM Region 1
• Veronica Barone, Gadsen, AL
• Lauren Williams, Birmingham, AL
• Honour Whitaker, Hope, AR
• Sable Wharman, Farmville, VA
• Anita Hunt, Florence, SC
• Amanda Brown, DSM Region 5
• Claudia Felan, Sequin, TX
• Carla Parks, Albany, GA
• Mary Beth Waters, Crestview, FL
• Misty Atkinson, DSM Region 6
• Ashley Williams, Louisville, KY
• Carmen Brown, Memphis, TN
• Jennifer Holloway, DSM Region 602
• Leslie Pulido, Kansas City, KS
• Katina Clark, Thomson, GA
• Tijah Williams, Albany, GA

Congratulations to the wonderful women highlighted on social, on the website, through email and beyond during Women’s History Month 2022. And thank you to all the women not listed here who help keep Hibbett | City Gear thriving. There’s a “u” in “beauty” for a reason and that reason is you!