Written by Tyisha Blade // Illustrated by Stefany Belasic
Women, let’s love one another
Women’s Empowerment is a movement that motivates women to grow, learn and connect with each other. Doing this, women can realize their greatest economic potential. According to empowerwomen.org, Canada and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, co-hosted an international conference in Oct. 2011 where industry leaders expressed concerns and shared experiences to come up with solutions on how to increase women’s economic empowerment. The team then started an online platform designed to expand and display their findings. Since then, the initiative has become a global movement in more than 198 countries improving practices of community work both on and offline. Their mission has become “dedicated to empowering women to achieve their full economic potential by inspiring both women and men to become advocates, change makers and leaders in their community.” The movement “equips [followers] with resources, opportunities and a global platform that facilitates networking learning and sharing experiences.” Women’s Empowerment has created numerous projects including initiatives on women’s land rights, women’s human rights, protecting women migrant workers, African women in technology and more. These initiatives have inspired many women to help uplift each other.
“This will continue to change people,” she said. “Hopefully in a positive way and make women and young girls and even more seasoned women feel their power.”
In an article on WTKR.com titled “Queen Latifah Helps Support Women's Empowerment Through Richmond Summit,” the famed musician, actor and entrepreneur used a speaking engagement in Virginia to discuss the importance of women’s support for other women. At the Women’s Achieve Summit held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, she spoke to 14,000 audience members. She shared words of inspiration aiming to encourage other female leaders in their respective industries to help their fellow women as well. “This will continue to change people,” she said. “Hopefully in a positive way and make women and young girls and even more seasoned women feel their power.” During her speech she also encouraged her listeners to cut off the TV, sit in their own power and realize there are plenty of things they can do to inspire. Latifah, and other community leaders have taken steps to unite women in ways that strive to create bonds and coach women to appreciate and help cultivate each others gifts.
“We have to be there for each other,” she added. “Togetherness, that’s how we do this.”
During the Women’s Empowerment Expo held in Detroit in 2017, Taraji P. Henson, a famed American actress and author stresses the importance of women needing each other and maintaining healthy relationships. “It’s about us uniting,” she said. “Men do it all the time. When it comes to women, why are we always competing against each other?” Henson also mentions how it pains her to see young women glorifying each other’s weaknesses instead of being a source to aid in alleviating problems. “That’s not cute,” she said. “You can’t do it without your sisters, and I never hate on another woman. Men break our hearts… the world is mean to us. Why should I give her that kind of pain when I am suffering from the same kind of pain that she is suffering from.” Henson also mentions how she loves to hype women up when she sees their successes. She notices how women can be so unhappy and incapable of giving or receiving love. “Empower and love yourself,” she added. “If you can hate on someone else, that means that you hate yourself.” Doing this, women also show others how they liked to be loved. Henson admits to having a special place in her heart for women, and likes to keep the women in her circle close. Henson’s loyalty to women doesn’t allow her to want someone else’s boyfriend or husband. She’s been a hurt woman before and refuses to wish pain on any other woman. “We have to be there for each other,” she added. “Togetherness, that’s how we do this.”
"With the many obstacles that we face, we must continue to be strong individuals using our power to procure foundations that lead to futures rooted in diligence."
Students enrolled into a course at Cleveland State University lectured by Adrienne Gosselin Ph.D., ENG 208 Womanism/Feminism, share a common thought about women empowering each other despite the many adversities they face in society. According to Natalie West, she noticed how women can be competitive toward one another while she was in high school. She also noticed how much stronger the competition has become since she entered her collegiate years. Tully Worron feels that women have been seen as objects not to be taken seriously. She grew up watching reality TV shows such as The Bachelor. She saw that life was often a competition between women of who is the prettiest or the best. The class shared their thoughts on how they think this competition is unfair and how they would prefer healthier competitive norms.
"We must break the cycle of negatively pitting women against each other and use that competition in a way that empowers."
As women in today’s society, we are hard-working, determined and driven to success and accomplishing our goals. With the many obstacles that we face, we must continue to be strong individuals using our power to procure foundations that lead to futures rooted in diligence. We must also use this power to uplift each other. Personal struggles and societal pressures attempt to deter women from obtaining our goals. In this instance, we can be anchors of strength for each other unifying as an indestructible entity that inspires others to do the same. We can respect, honor and recognize the accomplishments of all women no matter our differences. Too often does society create unhealthy competition among women. We must break the cycle of negatively pitting women against each other and use that competition in a way that empowers.