They say there are
two types of women in the world. Both come from disadvantaged,
repressive and merciless backgrounds and both go on to become
exceptional examples of success and proof that rags-to-riches are
more than just tales. So why then does one woman become a beacon of
hope, a helping hand and an encouraging ladder to young girls who
dream to live the life she lives while the other fails to comprehend
why such girls should get what she has by fast tracking through the
struggles she had to battle and so turns the other way?
Is this an awkward
line I'm crossing? Am I really allowed to judge? Considering how men
do this all the time and so women have the right to live without
explaining their actions too, do my questions not reveal a layer of
hypocrisy?
My answer is no.
Women have the right to be unapologetically happy or sad or helpful
or angry or cold or whatever the heck they wish to be or do or say!
Expectations should only be set on the things we own. We own our
watch and can validly expect it to tell the time. We own our cars and
so can expect it to take us from A to B. Women however, own
themselves. We do not need validation or advice to live our lives.
That being said, I
have a favour to ask. Considering how 2016 studies carried out by the
Chartered Management Institute has found that men are 40% more likely
than women to be promoted to management roles, the likelihood of male
employees, CEO's and bosses helping us women reach our career dreams
and ambitions is slimmer than is acceptable. No matter how much
thinner the glass ceiling appears to be, it still exists and many
times shatters our dreams. Occasionally however, some superwomen kick
through it and become Managing Directors, Partners and Head Chefs. I
plead to these women to hold the door open after they've gone through
to let the next powerful lady in line march on board.
History has a funny way of revealing the plots and plans of
oppressors. Retrospectively, it is clear to see that those who are
oppressed and stripped of power, to prevent them from uniting in
strength, are pitted against one another. We're made to compete with
and hate those to are in the same boat as us so that we are blinded
from seeing the bigger picture of prejudice consuming society. To
change the system, we must play the system. But on our mission, we
must not forget our cause. If we do not help each other succeed then
no one will and so we must be the change we wish to see.
We, as women, owe no
duty to society before nor after we've embraced success. We have the
freedom to live out our dreams with no strings attached. It is our
right. However, remind yourselves of the realities of your journeys.
Is it or was it as easy as it would've been if you were a man of
privilege? What if you had a wealthy family friend to give you a
hand? Would it have made a difference? The statistics don't lie,
especially when it comes to women in industry. Imagine the difference
your help could make to the women for whom your reality is their
dream! It would be one small step for a woman and one giant leap for
womankind.
The tale of two
women can be the tale of many. There's no hero or villain involved,
just a woman changing the world.
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