Women’s Voices

At a time when women’s rights are (still) under threat not just in the US but around the world, and we hear more depressing news daily, it would be easy to think that there is not much to celebrate during Women’s History Month (March) and International Women’s Day (on March 8th).

However, I attended the California Conference for Women this past week. A total of 4,634 participants (of which a dozen were men) came together to share stories, wisdom, mentoring and to celebrate what it means to be a woman.

Here are a few quotes from some of the keynote speakers I want to share with you:

50% of the global population is female, birthing 100% of the population. 

It’s about time we get equal pay for equal work.

~ Jennifer Siebel Newsom – Actress, documentary filmmaker, First Partner of California

If you have a face, you have a place in the AI conversation.

~ Dr Joy Buolamwini – computer scientist, digital activist, author, Founder of The Algorithmic Justice League

The values that we feel are important enough to teach our children, should be important enough to expect from our leaders.

The traits of a decent human should be the traits of a decent leader.

~ Dame Jacinda Ardern – Former Prime Minister (2017-2023), New Zealand / Aotearoa

You don’t have to be nice, but you have to be kind.

Nice is something that happens on the surface, kindness is what oozes out of someone without trying.

~ Kristen Kish – Chef, author, TV personality and entrepreneur

If I’m looking to change the world, I cannot do it without changing myself.

Who you are is more important than what you do.

~ Viola Davis – Actress, producer, philanthropist, author and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony (EGOT) Awards recipient

I’ll admit that I don’t usually celebrate International Women’s Day. It often feels like a “performative” day and it can feel a little hollow. This year I have decided to celebrate and honor Women’s History Month by taking action and I invite you to consider doing the same.

Here are some suggestions:-

1/ Put your money where your heart is

Women tend to already be “volunteered out” (a specific type of burnout that comes from saying “yes” when we need to learn to say “no” more often), so I would encourage you to consider putting some of your other resources, such as money, toward one or more causes you believe in because contributions make a difference.

What are the causes that you are passionate about?

Here is one of my favorite causes:

The Hello Seven Foundation is on a mission to close the severe Black maternal health gap in the US. Their goal is to provide funding to Black mothers and non-binary parents. They provide vouchers for life-changing and life-saving services – namely doulas, night nurses, midwives and childcare – to Black birthing people in need.

2/ Take action

What would it mean to YOU to honor, amplify, and celebrate yourself and your sisters this month, or this International Women’s Day? Is there an action you would like to take?

On International Women’s Day I will be speaking at the Voices of Women virtual summit, and I’ll be attending sessions by my fellow speakers to support them.

That evening, I will gather with a group of my closest soul sisters for a private celebration of sisterhood, in reverence and ceremony, honoring each other.

3/ A word on friendships

Last, but not least: I keep hearing that as you age, it becomes hard or impossible to make good or close friends. I call BS on that!

As I age, I find myself in more friendships with amazing women than ever before. Some are long-time friends, others have come into my life in the last few years, and still newer friendships have developed in the last year! 

Just remember that you create the story you want to live.

If you want to connect with more sisters; go out into the world, follow your passion, be curious, reach out and talk with a woman next to you. I guarantee that you’ll have interesting conversations that sometimes will lead to deep connections and friendships.

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I look forward to hearing from you about your plans to honor yourself and your sisters – biological or chosen, local or global.