Women Empowerment: Instagram vs. Reality
I love a good women’s empowerment panel or conference just as much as the next millennial girl boss. I remember my very first one several years back in New York City. Nothing too big, but a space where women from all levels and industries came together to talk about a common goal, lifting each other up. I left feeling all fuzzy and inspired inside like most people do. However, I, along with other women I have crossed paths with over the years learned the hard way that people don’t always practice what they preach. Here are a few takeaways from my experiences.
You can’t empower women and be intimidated at the same time
YouTube beauty guru, Aaliyah Jay, recently said it, and many were thinking it. Unfortunately, there are women out there screaming “women empowerment,” at the top of their lungs, but in the shadows are actively trying to hold women back who they feel intimidated by. Yes, people are human. We get jealous, insecure, envious, you name it. However, if you’re not in a healthy space to lift people up, be open and honest with yourself about it. Find out what is actually weighing you down and preventing you from spreading genuine love and light then deal with it. You can’t help others without helping yourself first.
Don’t be a “Mean Girl”
Empowering women shouldn’t mean only lifting up women who are popular. Too many times we see women who only want to support other women who look “cool” on social media or women who seem to be a part of the in-crowd. Empowering women works on all levels, not just for the people you seek to align yourself with for benefits or to simply push you forward. Be genuine in your relationships. Look more for what you can give than what you can receive.
Empowerment doesn’t just work vertically, it works horizontally!
I’m sure this is not something unique to the media industry, however, it’s definitely something I hear about often. Women supporting women who they feel can only get them to the next level. Empowerment doesn’t just work vertically. Supporting your peers, horizontally, is just as crucial. Plenty of times I see women compete with their peers because they feel like there’s only space for one woman to succeed, which is not only an outdated idea, but just flat out wrong.
There’s really room for us all!
This, of course, might be the most cliché point of them all, however, still a super important point to drive home. Maybe it’s the way I was raised or the faith that I have in God’s engineering in my life, but I truly believe there is room for all women to succeed. No one has your blueprint! You are unique. Your skillset, personality, drive, sauce, all of it is unique to you! No one can alter the plan that God has over your life. When an opportunity has been given or taken away in my life I have always had to come to grips with the fact that it is a part of a larger plan. Challenges are a guarantee, and if you’re not being challenged then you need to ask yourself what you’re not doing right. How many times have you taken a look at your journey in hindsight and been thankful for the challenges that have made you who you are today? I don’t know about you, but I definitely look back and am grateful for the challenges that have stretched me and made me who I am.
Despite the small bits of negativity, there are plenty of women out there who genuinely want to lift while climbing and it’s a beautiful thing to see. Don’t get jaded. Even if you haven’t experienced that support in your journey, be that change you want to see! There is something really special about elevating women where you can and seeing us win.
