Women supporting Women
📢 Echoing Madeline Allbright's sentiment, "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women," I wholeheartedly agree. Over the past three weeks, my amazing colleague #KarenMackley and I hosted three Women's Leadership Summits, empowering top females from public and private sectors. A recurring concern was women not supporting each other. There are enough barriers to our ascent without us hindering each other's progress. It's a disservice to our collective advancement in leadership. Guilty parties, take a hard look in the mirror.
🐝 The era of "Queen Bee Syndrome," where women competed for the single spot at the top is over. This mindset led women who reached the top to behave like 'I got mine, you get yours'. Girl please! There's room for all of us at the top. Let's widen the table and knock out those holding onto power through outdated privileges.
🌟 When opportunity knocks, don't ask 'why me'; if it seems promising, seize it. Extend a helping hand to another woman, bringing her along. Clients often ponder if opportunities come based on their race, gender, or background. If you're clearing not being set-up to fail, and see its value, don't waste energy second-guessing motives. You won't be in the spotlight for big chances unless you're present in the room.
It's frustrating to see women championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, yet not practicing it in their businesses. Despite supporting women-centric goals, their ethical frameworks often mirror the power structures they criticise. Confronting this hypocrisy is crucial. I've called out these issues, stressing that upholding the status quo hinders progress towards workplace equality.
Cultivating a diverse team isn't about copying traditional power dynamics; it's about using our varied backgrounds and strengths to represent our global community. True success for women, and all, means moving past old patterns to create an inclusive, equitable environment.
🤝 The feminist movement's fragmentation into Black/White camps in the 1970s weakened our collective strength, hindering widespread benefits. White women's concerns often align with Black women's, yet Black women face added racial discrimination. It's crucial for White women to grasp how skin color can trigger stereotypes, limiting opportunities. Acknowledging this reality is vital. Support from White women and men is essential for us to thrive.
As women, we advocate for workplace inclusivity and equality. When a black woman faces injustice, take action immediately. Speaking up is crucial. Silence and inaction only empower the perpetrator.
🙌🏽 I am heartened to observe that some detractors cannot stem the tide of change we are currently part of. Dispelling widespread myths, ample evidence exists showing a strong support network among women for their counterparts. Unity is our strength, for a house divided against itself cannot stand. #womenhelpingwomen #diversityequityinclusion #womeninleadership
