“Individually, we’re one drop but together we’re an ocean.”
Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. This is a day where women and men are mobilized with one common goal: the advancement of women everywhere. It is not only a day of hashtags and speeches but International Women’s Day serves as a springboard for sustained engagement and action for the next 12 months and beyond.
This year’s theme is #PressForProgress. There are a variety of actions you can take featured on the International Women’s Day website. Three of these actions are: maintain a gender parity mindset, forge positive visibility of women and influence others’ beliefs and actions.
Here are 5 ways you can join me as I #PressForProgress.
1. Challenge stereotypes
I grew up in a male-dominated household and I believe it played to my advantage. Questioning stereotypes early on in life was normal for me. I also developed the belief that I deserved as much independence, respect and opportunities as my brothers did because that is how I was raised. To this day, I resist spoken and unspoken social pressures that are meant to make me into a typical woman. My family forged and empowered me to be a strong leader although the youngest of four and the only girl. For this I am forever grateful.
You see, simply because they say “women shouldn’t do this or that” doesn’t validate their statements in any way, shape or form. Yet, we often blindly accept what they have said about us without actually knowing who “they” are. I mean, have you ever met “they”? Those mystical people who made up all these rules? Do “they” meet in boardrooms at They Enterprises Incorporated or go on corporate retreats to determine our fates? Not if we push back and say no more!
2. Find and honor your voice
Women often have difficulty asking for what they deserve. We are taught by society to take a backseat, to accept whatever we are offered and to be grateful for a seat at the table. What we must understand is that we add tremendous value to every conversation, platform or boardroom we enter. Women who do the work warrant an equal seat at every table through access, respect, opportunity and compensation.
3. Push forward the causes and issues that matter to you
I believe that pressing for progress doesn’t only include championing causes that only affect women and girls. A vital part of our calling as women is to affect change and bring healing to every area of society because bridging gaps, fostering unity and fighting for what is right is in our DNA. It’s what we do simply by being. So whether you are passionate about women’s rights or the conservation of the environment, champion your cause proudly.
4. Mentoring
If you don’t yet have a mentor, find one and if you are not yet mentoring another, make plans to do so in the near future. Mentoring girls and young women is essential to the collective advancement of who we are as a gender. This movement towards equality should be alive and well when we are ready to pass the baton because the brave women who went before us taught us and we in turn taught those coming after us. In addition, we live in a unique time where mentoring one on one is not the only option. Today, social media, books and conferences have opened the door for a wide variety of mentorship opportunities.
You might also like: 5 Ways You Can Support Other Women This International Women’s Day
5. Support other women
This last action is near and dear to my heart because of the widespread scarcity-mindset that has put women in competition with each other for far too long. I believe we have been sold a bill of goods from childhood. Ideas like being the “fairest of them ALL” or “being THE belle of the ball” have sowed and watered this notion that there can only be one. It is up to us to destroy this faulty mentality and celebrate each other in our uniqueness knowing that another’s beauty or success doesn’t negate ours. Let us no longer allow this world to divide us because we are stronger together.
This International Women’s Day, speak up, shine bright and let your fellow sister know that you have her back! Happy International Women’s Day!
