The theme this month is highlighting ways women can support one another. I was recently included in Forbes and I am honored to share my thoughts below. This is a daily reminder of courage, truth, unity, equality, representation, being brave and showing up when times are hard!!
Madeleine Albright said it best: “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.” Which leads me to my sentiment - let’s stop getting in the way of another woman’s success and be part of her community.
I have personally witnessed both sides of this coin, to the point that on some days, this “special place” has a DMV style line wrapped around the door. However, I also see how simple acts of support for our female comrades can really change the trajectory for all involved. So, in honor of International Women’s Day (and the women in my life), let’s explore how to champion one another this month and every month moving forward.
To me, this is a mind-body-soul approach: a holistic strategy with actionable steps for women to support one another in all arenas and especially in business. Xx - AR
VERBAL
THE POWER OF WORDS
Words have power– deep, lasting forward moving power. How are you using your words? To uplift, champion, strengthen, and encourage another woman? The best way to find out is to look within. Decisions, actions, words, feelings–they all can be traced down to two things: fear or love. And when it’s love, our words are supportive, abundant, encouraging, idea generating and it is life giving...and the more you give, the more you get. So before you open your mouth (or take to your keyboard), pause to check in. Are these words coming from a place of fear or love? How can you use words–spoken, typed, sung, written, or otherwise–to energetically uplift, INCLUDE, and empower another woman or sisterhood?
DIG DEEPER THAN CANCEL CULTURE & KNOCK THE GOSSIP
How many conversations do you have that are centered around gossip concerning other women? The idea that nothing bonds women faster than a shared enemy is a detrimental trope and social crutch. The only good thing about gossip? It helps us see clearly what relationships are toxic and surface-level. In my experience, healthier relationships are directly correlated to conversations centering around dreams, showing up for one another, what showing up means to the relationship, and the future visions we have for life. I also unfollow accounts who are using their social media platforms to hurt, disparage, or negatively bring attention to another woman.
Let’s start initiating confidence-building conversations around goals, ideas, and creativity. This is what The New Southern is all about – sharing light and following our creativity as a path to greater connection, community and to one another. Then: don’t aid and abet the trash-talk. In the end, no one wins, especially women as a whole. Embody the empathy and compassion you’d like to see by saying, “Let’s reach out to her, let’s see what we can do.” There’s never one side to the story. Make space for another woman to share hers.
Speak Up | SHOW UP
We all have a platform. It doesn’t matter the size, it only matters how we use our voice, The New Southern is a place where we are humanizing our differences through the lens of creativity. It is a space documenting how all sorts of creative tools tell us we are more alike than different. Look for ways to get involved with your community. What is currently breaking your heart? - start there to heal our way forward at a local level. Our differences are not meant for us to revert back to our tribes - we need to remember we are part of one big human family. Lead with content of your character and ensure we all have a seat at the table. Xx
Financial
FINANCIALLY FORWARD
The first thing you can do for other women is to be financially independent yourself and share what you learn. Start by initiating conversations about money, whether it’s salary, investment, real estate, day rates, passive income, retirement, goals, fair compensation, wealth management, taxes, or ANY other area of your financial picture you want. (Even the nitty-gritty of billing, particularly for entrepreneurs and creatives alike!) For every conversation you have about fashion, or emotions, or life, or love, or work, or business, how many do you have about finance? Keep financial topics at the top of the list, because much like life pivots, it’s important for those who have gone through it to share their experience. Together, we get to rewrite the script when it comes to women and finance. Here are some resources to get started:
Ellevest
An investment platform for and by women (with an excellent online magazine and newsletter).Vimvest
An app that helps you save, invest, and/or give, so you can customize and optimize your financial goals and strategy.Clever Girl Finance
An educational resource that takes the form of a blog, podcast, YouTube channel, and even courses you can take. (Plus, give them a follow on Instagram for a little antidote to the swipe-ups encouraging you to spend.)$he Spends
A radical, inclusive resource that harnesses the power of community to strengthen women’s financial futures. They emphasize “fostering community, rather than competition” and “call in > call out” with their private Facebook group.
SHOP, SHARE & SUPPORT FEMALE BUSINESSES
Shop: Get to know your community! Explore local, women-owned business and make them your go-to.
Share: Word of mouth is powerful. When you find something good–let people know.
Support: Use your own platform to shed light on women who are inspiring you. This can take so many forms: from something simple like a #FollowFriday on social media, to hosting pop-ups and artist residencies, to large-scale campaign collaborations. For me, support means looking for ways to use my own platform and voice to champion other women, shed light on those who inspire me and be a resource in the community.
RELATIONAL
TURN CONFLICT INTO AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT
Dig in beyond the initial knee-jerk reactions. Both parties must look within to see and understand their own triggers, motivations, insecurities, and strengths, which makes it easier to look across the aisle with compassion. Perhaps there’s more in common there than you realized? Perhaps the person is a mirror for further healing needing to take place. This kind of empathy paves the way for diplomacy, negotiation, and compromise, and in the end, a strengthened bond. Women can move mountains, build cities, start initiatives together when we hold each other accountable in soft, compassionate, and unprejudiced ways.
How to cultivate these skills? Self awareness - journaling, meditation, therapy, and alignment practices will all reveal the best path forward starting with ourselves and others.
ACTIVELY ASK
Take the guesswork out of the heart work. Whether you’re ending or starting a conversation with another woman, simply ask: “How can I best support you?” and then show up.
