- Jessica Daly
- Friday, March 11, 2022
It's Women's History Month, and what better time to talk about empowering women and girls?
Women’s History Month is a time when we celebrate and reflect on women’s contributions to our history, culture and society. Mary Wollstonecraft, an English writer, philosopher, and advocate of women’s rights, was one of those women. She is often cited as an important influence on the women’s movement. I would argue that she was also one of the first to understand the importance of women’s empowerment.
“I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves.”
― Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, published in 1792.
What is Empowerment?
Women’s History month is a great time to focus on women’s empowerment. But, what exactly is women's empowerment and how do we empower each other? While there’s not a universal definition, it’s usually broken down into a subset of issues, such as economic empowerment, political participation and girl’s education.
empowerment
/ (ɪmˈpaʊəmənt) /
noun
the giving or delegation of power or authority; authorization
the giving of an ability; enablement or permission
The dictionary says it’s a noun, but it’s more active than ‘noun’ implies. Empowerment is a process where an individual moves from “I can’t” to “I can.” So, how do we encourage this process?
How do we empower girls and women today to stand up for themselves and what they believe in? I really love the inclusion of the word ‘permission’ in the definition of empowerment. We have to give ourselves and others permission to take steps toward empowerment.
Step One: Self-Awareness
In a recent international study, over 50% of millennial women surveyed said self-awareness is the most important factor impacting empowerment.
Identify your beliefs and values – You need to know what you believe in first and foremost. What do you value? What is important to you?
Meditate -- Mindfulness meditation is a great way to learn more about how your thoughts and emotions work. Observe your thoughts and understand that just because they circle around in your head, they do not dictate who you are.
Affirmations -- Positive affirmations work if you commit to saying them to yourself regularly. The best way to create an affirmation is to customize it to your needs. Keep it in the present; if you set it for the future, you’re creating a goal. Try something like:
I am strong and courageous.
I am responsible for my own life.
I create my own path.
Keep a journal – Write down your honest thoughts from the day. What went well? What didn’t go well? How did you react and what could you change?
Step Two: Non-Verbal Cues
People judge your competence 55% on body language, 28% on presentation and 7% on what you say.
Pay attention to the signals you are sending others with your non-verbal cues:
Be aware of your body language – Notice how you carry yourself. Are you making yourself smaller? There are non-verbal expressions that show power, authority and confidence. For example, you can become bigger and open yourself up. Our nonverbal cues impact how other people think and feel about us. More importantly, they affect how we think and feel about ourselves! Strike a power pose for two minutes and feel the difference.
Dr. Amy Cuddy says we shouldn’t 'Fake it til we make it,’ we should, “fake it til we become it.”
Claim Your Space – Be expansive. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Meta Platforms and founder of LeanIn.org, tells us to “Sit at the table.”
“Don’t expect that you’ll get to the corner office by sitting on the sidelines,” Sheryl Sandberg in her TedTalk: Why We have Too Few Women Leaders.
Breathe evenly – Relax your shoulders and regulate your breath. This will automatically control your voice and cause a projection of confidence.
Step Three: Use Your Resources
Find a mentor – A mentor can help you identify your goals and offer encouragement along the way. Mentors are not there to tell you what to do; they are there to offer insight and empowerment based on their own experiences.
Take a personality test – Enneagram and Myers Briggs are popular tests that may tell you more about yourself and how you react to certain situations. At the very least, the act of taking the test forces you to consider your beliefs and behaviors in different situations.
LinkedIn Learning – Available for free with your Richland Library card and PIN, you can take a multitude of courses on anything from presentation skills to specific professional development. There are even courses in self-empowerment. Sometimes gaining knowledge in a subject area gives you the confidence you need to feel empowered.
Read About Inspiring Women -- You don’t have to look far to find evidence of women’s contributions. Richland Library has a wealth of resources that will help you learn more, but a good starting point is to:
-
watch Hidden Figures,
-
share Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women with a young girl in your life, or
-
check out these lists on the RichlandLibrary.com website: Her Story: Women Heroes of WWII | Richland Library and Trailblazers: Inspirational Women Throughout History | Richland Library
-
Attend our Empowering Women and Girls Event to work on more ways to become empowered.
However you do it, I hope you'll take some time to find your power within. Happy Women's History Month!