Sharing your brilliance

A few years ago my darling daughter asked me, mom, are you a feminist?

I thought for a minute, then asked her to define feminist. She didn't know exactly what it was, but thought maybe she was feminist because she is a female, she sticks up for what girls can do, and her friend is a feminist too. We talked about how every human has equal worth and that as a human, we have some privilege, which gives us a chance to ensure equity for all living things by supporting each other, as humans. Her ten year old mind thought that was a doable answer and off she went.

Years later, here I sit still thinking on this one.

As I experience it, yes, maybe I am feminist. Or, maybe I'm humanist. Maybe I just want a collaborative thing where we all lead sometimes and follow other times, bringing our best when we can and sharing it when/where it makes sense. Yep, I'm going to go with that last one. 

In my professional role, I'm a female leader. This is a strange experience, as most leaders in my profession are male, while the worker bees, if you will, are female. One would think more female leaders would rise to the occasion, but it's not a very friendly place. Still, I put my foot down when I need to, I support other female and male leaders, and I too, come up with brilliant ideas now and again. Sometimes that's followed by - for a woman. It's then what I wonder, am I a feminist. Should I be louder? Do I have to lead like others do? 

My recent experiences also have me wondering, what do I stand for? Who do I stand for? How do I want to be remembered? And, does that align with what I'm bringing to the table? 

For the past eight years I've been working on a thing, mostly in my mind, with another rockstar woman leader. Recently, we've been sharing this thing, because the time to do better presented itself. SUPER excitement as the thing starts to pick up steam and then...it falls in to the lap of a few men who took the thing and called it their own. Grrr. Really? 

Now, there are times when I am not the person who needs to carry a thing to fruition, or when the collaborative is the only way. I don't require accolades for my things, but I do want just things to happen for people. All. The. Time. 

What's got me in such a tizzy is this frustration with leaders, and just people in general, tearing each other down or standing on top of each other, to be better - look better - seem smarter - achieve that final rung on the ladder of success. When really, we ought to be supporting each other, sharing ideas, working together, because so much more can come from ten people doing good than from one person. And women have great ideas. Don't be afraid to speak up. For me, right now, it's don't be afraid to correct the narrative.

The world needs us.

Speak your peace. We got you.