This clover and leprechaun month has been at the top of my changemaking months for nearly two decades. There is just so much to motivate me! We’re lightening into the Spring days, and hopefully finally found our grove between the holidays and the next big break. Then, it is also a big advocacy month for a lot of causes, one of which is for women.
I care about this, probably because I’m Every Woman. But this March, the month’s changemaking gets to be be important to you, too, if you are a woman or know women (ahem, yes, I assume this means everyone). Addressing concerns affecting women is vital for all the people of the globe.
Yep—that’s a big statement! I challenge you to stick around and hear me out to learn why.
The Unique Positioning of Women
It isn’t hard to pin-point the negatives women still experience in the Western world—an overwhelming mental load, inequality in work, sexism, poor mental health, etc… But although we often focus on these negatives, there are some other beautiful things to point out about Millennial and Gen X women in the Western world.
Our Newfound Potential
An article from Jumble and Flow titled, “Women over 40 are poised to be one of the most powerful U.S. demographics,” points to research showing that these days a woman’s deepest need is “to be seen and respected for who she is, who she is becoming, and who she wants to be.” Then, findings from the 2020 survey commissioned by the advertising agency, Fancy, were that women want to be taken seriously as individuals with influence, intelligence, and spending power.
Wow! Throughout history, most woman couldn’t even imagine that their posterity would be able to feel such a degree of fulfillment, respect and agency. Guess what this means? More than ever before, women are uniquely positioned to use what they have gained, and it doesn’t just have to be about survival. Women now have the potential to bring their light, creativity, and passions to the world, which, when used intentionally, can be used for the good for others, too.
What Women Invest In
Another amazing aspect about women is that when you invest in them, they go on to positively affect everything around them. This especially is seen in developing areas of the world and other spaces where there are gaps. I am not going to source a bunch of research for you now,1 but essentially, women tend to use the resources they get to give back to develop their families, communities, and the healing and wholeness of others. They also are usually more frequent and higher givers. They focus on giving to things that influence their ecosystem. In fact, because of this trend, simply by investing aid in women, the UN and NGOs estimate that nations GDPs will go up by 20%!
Empowering women is something I generally just love; I view it is big part of my purpose. What has a greater ripple effect than helping women become more fully alive and getting in their sweet spot to make a difference?
CHECK OUT RANT ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Passing “the Love” Back and Forth
Women’s Month gives me the excuse to invite you all into my passion and tell you why investing in women matters. Ultimately, empowering women, whether each other, locally, or far on the other side of the globe, will have a wider more a positive affect on society.
Although we might see ourselves—changemakers—more as givers and helpers than receivers, we also get to be receivers. By intentionally investing in women, we can create a reciprocal back and forth dynamic, allowing for connection, authenticity, and mutual empowerment.
If you take one thing away from this edition of The Table, I hope it will be to ask yourself (whatever gender you are—men are far from excluded) these two questions:
- How am I uniquely positioned in this time with agency, respect, and resources to share?
- In what ways can I empower women in my life, community, and world this year?
