So, how do you choose to challenge?
This is the theme of International Women’s Day (and really the whole month of March as we celebrate Women’s History Month). For the occasion, I wanted to share what I’ve learned in my years as a woman in the business world. My hope is that by speaking up, I may be able to help others figure things out a little bit easier and a little bit faster than I did – because I had to learn things the hard way.
The Importance of Voice
When I think about the theme of challenging, my biggest learnings came from my struggle to find my voice. Throughout my career, there were many people who called me bossy. There were people who told me not to worry my pretty little head about things, and people who didn’t take me seriously because of how I looked, or because I was a woman, or whatever their preconceived notions were.
I lost my voice.
I really never had it.
And it took me a long time to find it.
Choose to Challenge
So, this Women’s History Month I want to challenge women to challenge themselves. I want women to find their voice, and to have the courage to stand for something, and to speak forward. The only way that we’re going to make change happen is together – so I’m using my voice now to help women. I’m here to share what I’ve learned and to share what gifts that I can bring forward to help give women a new way to do things.
The Bottom Line
I have a 17 year old daughter – I’m such a lucky mom. She challenges the normal every single day, and I know that she is going to change the world. I see in her the future for women everywhere – and it’s not a world of silenced voices, suppression, unequal pay, and all the other things that are done to keep women down. It’s about all boats rising with the tide togher – and women being a superpower.
So, have the courage to go find your voice. Choose to challenge every day – and giddy up!