The Truth About Women's Empowerment

Are we really empowering each other or just posting about it?

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One of the things that brings me great joy is to see women uplift and support one another. That makes my heart sing.

I’m not the only one. Today, discussing women supporting each other is popular. Some might add that women empowerment is a buzz word.

However, a couple of years back, it wasn’t always on trend. I remember when I was an undergrad and decided to add Women Studies as my minor.

Then, I was met with the reaction of “why, don’t they just all sit around and complain?”

Regardless, I chose the minor because women studies is important to me. As a student, I wanted to understand feminism. I wanted to understand how women’s movement shaped societies and countries.

I don’t regret the lectures that I received from the sweet elderly lady, Mrs. Joyce Warren at Queens College. She waltzed into class with vigour and enthusiasm. Her courses propelled me into a passion and purpose for women empowerment.

People have their own definition of women empowerment. It can sound like a Big Word for the elite only. However, I see women empowerment as the little things we do daily.

It is being able to pay another woman a compliment for her work, efforts or style.

It’s refraining from gossip and spreading toxicity that will damage the way another woman is being perceived.

Women empowerment is advocating that another woman’s voice be heard. Women empowerment is sharing valuable knowledge.

Here are some actionable ways to show women's empowerment.

Women's Empowerment is Having Empathy & Sympathy for Your Sister

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To uplift and support other women, you need to accept that we all go through different challenges. Our stories are different, and all our struggles are valid.

It matters to be able to have empathy and sympathy for your sister. Too often, we are quick to judge others. We compare what we have been through based on our age, demographic and lifestyle.

An African woman in Abuja, Nigeria will have different challenges from a Black American woman in Harlem, New York. That same Black American in Harlem will have her own different experiences and challenges from a white woman in Los Angeles, California. That same white woman in California will tell a different story from a Latina in Santa Monica, Mexico City.

Women's Empowerment is Being Able to Celebrate Each Other

We all appreciate being commended and celebrated for our efforts and achievements. We enjoy celebrating ourselves.

However, at times, we women can find it difficult to celebrate another woman when her accomplishment and milestone reminds us of what we lack. Or if we see it as a threat to our own goals.

Having these moments when another woman’s accomplishment triggers a negative emotion in you does not make you a bad person.

It’s what you do with negative emotions that matters. You can feel threatened, envious, intimidated, and still choose to not be carried away by those emotions.

To not allow that emotion to push you to act in ways that would bring someone else down.

When negative emotions such as envy or pride towards another woman occur, I believe that it’s helpful to do the following…

· Recognize and admit that the emotion is there and why it came about?

· Understand that another woman’s accomplishment and success does not take from your ability to rise.

· Learn to celebrate. I believe that when you give out what is positive and good energy, you invite God to perform the same blessings and miracles in your life.

Women's Empowerment is being able to Pass on What You Know

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When you have valuable and useful information that can benefit someone else’s life, why not share?

There are some things that you know that you take for granted. You might have been raised with a healthy family dynamic, so you recognize what is right and wrong.

Another young lady might have been brought up in a broken home. She might see the abusive relationship that she goes through with her boyfriend as normal because it’s what she saw in her home.

If you as a woman know better, why not be willing to offer support and resources that could impact her life for the better.

Women's Empowerment is Recognizing that we all Have Gifts

Your shine is not better than anyone else’s shine. We all have unique skills, traits and gifts.

Instead of admonishing others for not being up to par, understand that we all bring something different to the table.

We all must be able to recognize what we each possess that is unique and help each other in developing ourselves for the better.

Women Empowerment is Allowing Her to Sit at Your Table

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Mean girls make you feel as though you are not good enough or belong. They judge you for your appearance, clothing, language, etc. Let’s not be mean girls.

Let’s welcome different people to our table. As I stated prior, each person has their own story and background.

Instead of associating with people who only look like us, let’s invite someone with a different perspective and learn from them.

Final Thoughts

We live in a society where women's empowerment is now on trend. This is great news for those who have been preaching the women's gospel for a while.

As we continue to circulate the word around, let’s not get carried away with the idea of what women's empowerment means. Let’s not only save the word for social media and events.

Let’s carry the message of women's empowerment within us even when no one is looking. Let’s be our sister’s keeper. Let’s support ourselves with encouraging words, a listening ear, resources and accountability.

Let’s be there for each other and give each other grace for when we don’t rise up to be our best selves. Let’s empower by being human with each other.

Cheers to you Woman.