Honoring Women and Their Gifts

This is Women’s History Month. Today, I can honestly say that I am thrilled to be a woman.  That was not always the case.  When I was a kid, I thought being a girl was a curse.  We got overpowered easily, our opinions weren’t respected, and boys acted as if we should be grateful, they looked at us or gave attention.

I, like many of my friends, spent most of our time wanting to get attention.  I was shy and lacked confidence.  Some of my other friends expressed their femininity sexually and popularity.  I was neither popular or sexy.

I was smart and took me into arenas where I could be recognized for my mind.  I did well in school, was in the chess and debate clubs, was secretary of my class and constantly on the honor roll.

My family thought I should focus on getting married and creating a family. I was totally not interested. I wanted to explore the world and meet people.  I wanted to live a life that felt exciting.  I didn’t know how but those desires were strong.

As I began to step out into the world, I became aware that there were women doing amazing things.  They became models for the life I wanted to live.  I want to share some of them with you this month.

BEING A WOMAN IS REALLY A SUPERPOWER

The world would not be the same without women.  We are mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and granddaughters. We are nurturers, caregivers, providers, entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, teachers, friends and healers.  One month a year to honor women seems small. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if women felt seen, heard, and loved all year long?

Women throughout the ages have endured many painful experiences.  They have been denied rights, held hostage, abused, traumatized, and still they rose and moved forward.  They fought for their children and their countries.  They fought for our rites to vote.  They fought for our rites to lead countries and corporations.   So, it seems fitting that we honor women as way-showers.

WOMEN CHANGEMAKERS

These women, you probably don’t know, are all Ted and Tedx speakers.  If you feel called, listen to their talks.  They all speak about being a powerful woman from different perspectives.

1. An expert in the field of startup ecosystem, Roshni Baronia, has dedicated her several years of experience as a business growth catalyst, to lead the way for women entrepreneurs to expand their business and explore its global readiness. Driven by passion and purpose, she strives to create a collaborative platform for women entrepreneurs to achieve their version of success in business.

2. When women lead, bias often follows. Documentarian Robin Hauser dives into the dilemma between competence and likability faced by women in leadership roles, detangling the unconscious beliefs and gendered thinking that distort what it means to be a good leader.

3. Luvvie Ajayi Jones isn’t afraid to speak her mind or to be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. “Your silence serves no one,” says the writer, activist and self-proclaimed professional troublemaker. In this bright, uplifting talk, Ajayi Jones shares three questions to ask yourself if you’re teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down — and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

4. Women and girls are conditioned to believe success is “a seat at the table.” Creator, actress and author Lilly Singh thinks we need to build a better table. In this hilarious, incisive talk, Singh traces the arc of her career from up-and-coming YouTuber to history-making late-night talk show host, offering four ways to build a more inclusive society where girls are encouraged and empowered to do great things.

5. Why are there so few women leaders? Weaving together scientific research and personal narrative, Alexis Kanda-Olmstead explains why women may be reluctant to take on leadership roles and what we – women and men – can do to disrupt the powerful internal forces that undermine women’s leadership aspirations and confidence. Alexis Kanda-Olmstead leads talent and diversity initiatives at Colorado State University for the Division of University Advancement. Throughout her twenty-year career in higher education, Alexis has worked to help students, faculty, and staff actualize their potential as leaders through self-knowledge, personal empowerment, and service. As a student and practitioner of women’s development, social justice, and organizational psychology, Alexis believes that with grace and humor we can create positive change that benefits everyone.

In case you don’t have time for video, here are some fabulous power songs for women.

• “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé
• “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore.
• “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
• “Q.U.E.E.N.” by Janelle Monáe and Erykah Badu.
• “Bad Girls” by M.I.A.
• “Independent Women” by Destiny’s Child.
• “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan.

If you have a women in our life that supports you, or admire a woman….tell them!  Show them how incredible they are and what they mean to you and your life. Nothing is guaranteed and we don’t know how long people will be here on this planet. And if you are a woman, while you are at it, celebrate you and all that you have achieved.

So, in this moment, I dedicate this to all women:

1. You are remarkable.
2. You are someone’s superhero.
3. You are strong.
4. You are beautiful.
5. You are bright.
6. You are a change maker.

Thank you for being you and bringing love to this world. You are necessary.

Much love and light,

Cynthia