Dr. Eileen and Dr. Alicia, Executive Producers/Co-Hosts of Soul of a Leader Podcast’s Post

Dear Women Who Empower Chronicle Reader, As we approach another pivotal moment in history, the landscape for women's empowerment and leadership has never been more critical or promising. The upcoming race, with Vice President Kamala Harris as a prominent figure, is not just another election—it is a defining moment that reflects the strides women have made and the challenges that still lie ahead. Vice President Harris represents more than just a candidate; she embodies the resilience, strength, and leadership women have fought for decades to attain. Her journey to the Vice Presidency has shattered countless glass ceilings, inspiring women from all walks of life to pursue their ambitions without hesitation. But as we celebrate these achievements, we must also acknowledge this election's profound stakes for women everywhere. On The Cover Women in Tech Traci Campbell talks about one barrier that has yet to change, which is the inclusion of women in key decision-making roles. That was the case when I came out of college, and throughout my career, I had to fight to get to certain positions. I was fortunate enough to have experienced some of the dot-com era. In Austin, Texas, I worked with a startup company as a director of quality assurance and software testing. That was only because I paid my dues at IBM as a consultant. I met men who were also Black and Brown, and they held higher positions. So they said, hey, we're going to help this sister come across and get some opportunities. And so when they started a dot-com startup, they said, hey, we need you to head up quality assurance. Get Up, Stand Up! The lyrics of Bob Marley's song "Get Up, Stand Up" deeply resonate with me. I recently faced a challenging situation during a hotel stay. I had to advocate persistently to first attempt to get the management to provide the ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act]-accessible accommodations they had promised me. Then, when they did not provide sufficient accommodations, I had to fight to receive the refund I rightfully deserved. It is crucial to be a strong self-advocate in these situations. Being proactive in addressing obstacles that impact you negatively and actively seeking out solutions to overcome any accessibility barriers is essential. There is more inspiration, empowerment, guidance, real-life stories, philanthropic initiatives, fresh perspectives, and encouragement in this September issue of The Women Who Empower Chronicle…. Not already subscribed to The Women Who Empower Chronicle but still want to receive this quarterly issue? Find out how to get your hands on it at https://lnkd.in/gEFivT68. Adrienne Booth Johnson Michelle McElroy, MS Ed, LCS Eileen Timmins Traci Sanders Campbell Click to view the entire chronicle…https://lnkd.in/gEFivT68

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." – Michelle Obama These words have always inspired me. But they also prompt reflection on the unspoken battles women face; at home, at work & within society at large. A few days ago, I attended a family gathering celebrating a child’s first birthday. Ironically, I arrived fresh from working on a proposal aimed at improving women’s lives and agency. The contrast between my work focus and the societal narratives that unfolded during the gathering wasn’t lost on me. At one point, the conversation veered toward how some mothers, relying heavily on help, were “falling short” in their parenting. There was an insinuation that the appearance or behavior of their children reflected their inadequacies as mothers. One comment stayed with me: a casual remark that relying on help meant these women weren’t doing “enough.” It wasn’t meant to be harsh or critical, but it highlighted a deeper truth: the immense societal expectations placed on women. Why do we do this to each other? Why do we assume we know what another woman is going through or what her journey looks like? This wasn’t just about one gathering; it’s a reflection of a broader reality. Women’s lives are constantly scrutinized. A mother is judged not only for what she does but also for what she delegates. A career-oriented woman is questioned about her choices, her priorities, and her timelines. Even in my own life, I feel these pressures. As a woman in my 30s focused on building a career, I’ve often been asked, “When will you start a family?” or told, “Don’t wait too long; you’ll regret it.” These comments trigger an inner dialogue: Am I prioritizing the right things? Should I be doing something differently? Am I, in some way, falling short? The irony deepens when I think about how women like me, who work in public health and development, dedicate our efforts to advancing women’s rights, only to return to spaces that question those very rights. At work, women often go the extra mile to prove themselves, to assert their worth in environments that don’t always acknowledge their contributions. Yet, we are still expected to excel at everything else. What I’ve come to realize is this: the battle isn’t just external. It’s internal. It’s that voice in your head constantly asking if you’re doing enough, being enough, achieving enough. And it’s the world around us that perpetuates that voice, reinforcing those doubts. I’m reminded of Maya Angelou’s words: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” This is a truth I hold on to, especially on days when the weight of expectations feels overwhelming. So, to every woman navigating these unspoken pressures; whether at home, at work, or within herself; I want to say this: You are enough ! Whether you’re building a career, raising a family, or charting your own path, your choices are valid as the standard you set for yourself is the only one that truly matters.

A couple of times a week, I am lucky enough to gather female entrepreneurs seeking community for various reasons. I get to connect with 100 or more brilliant souls, and watch their connections and businesses grow. As the founder, I see St Pete Girl Boss as a sacred role. An organization created to hold space for each other. Our work and our gender bring us together through a collective identity, but the bonds that keep our numbers steadily growing and inspire passionate advocates for the group are beyond business and surface female assumptions. This is what they tell me, and what I’ve seen: They love this community because we all have had a woman in America experience, and we want better. Some have the experiences as a woman of color. Or a queer woman Or a disabled woman, including those with ADHD or autism or physical disabilities… In which case, safety or seats at table are few and far between, let alone leadership roles or mentorships. They love this community because we are as we are. All of the surface stuff is not how we do. Transactional is not who we are, so I haven’t designed this to be a networking experience like that. This begs the question: why are spaces exclusive to women so needed in business? And why do they bother some people? I get asked that a lot, “why do you need to cultivate something exclusionary?” I have a much longer blog post about this, but basically: Because. Because for too long, systems that serve nearly none of us have created competition through imagined scarcity. That there was one best thing and you had to fight your sisters for it. And you needed your daddy to make sure it was okay. And women were weaker and not allowed to do men’s things. As a result, women have been reduced generationally to the unpaid labor we can provide, whether literally laboring to birth humans or other things like homemaking and child rearing, or underpaid through traditional caregiving roles (child care, domestic roles, service roles). This has created a deep sense that we are not worthy or imposter syndrome that naturally comes in when women try to fit into spaces not designed for us. It doesn’t feel like it’s for us… but it’s not our fault. Yet, we somehow subconsciously feel it is. We need collaborative spaces. Because collectively, we elevate. We mentor, we support, we refer, we commiserate. We need to rebuild systems not built with us in mind. Given the relational nature of women, the need for specific resources and faces and experiences like our own, brave, women-only spaces just make sense. It’s funny, I wasn’t sure if I’d use my years of experience in culture setting and listening and collaboration when I left the classroom, but it turns out that grown ups needs those things too: places that meet then where they are and provide them with what they need for where they’re going. How lucky am I that I have seven thousand or so other women that want to be here with me?

*The Unrecognized Sacrifices of Women in Society Building* Women have always played a vital role in building and nurturing societies, often at the cost of their own aspirations and well-being. Despite their significant contributions, their sacrifices often go unrecognized and unappreciated. - Unpaid Caregiving: Women bear the burden of caregiving for children, elderly, and family members, sacrificing their own career advancement and financial stability. - Emotional Labor: Women are expected to manage emotions, provide emotional support, and maintain relationships, often at the expense of their own emotional well-being. - Domestic Work: Women disproportionately perform household chores, sacrificing leisure time and personal interests. - Career Compromises: Women often prioritize family over career goals, sacrificing promotions, opportunities, and financial growth. - Social Expectations: Women conform to societal norms, suppressing their own desires and aspirations to fulfill traditional gender roles. Conclusion, women's sacrifices and contributions to society have often gone unrecognized and unappreciated. However, their impact on shaping the world and inspiring future generations is immeasurable. From suffragettes to caregivers, activists to innovators, women have proven themselves to be heroes in every sense of the word. Their dedication, perseverance, and resilience have created a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and empower others. By recognizing and celebrating their achievements, we can work towards a more equitable and just society where women's contributions are valued and recognized.

I just want to give a huge shout-out to all the amazing, incredible women that I am connected with, that I follow, and that I hope to connect with. As I scroll through my feed, I am constantly shown women who, when faced with adversity, step up. They not only created their own table, they made space for other women at that table. They inspire, support, and cheer on other women. 👏 Women who were discriminated against for pregnancy are creating companies with policies to protect and support working moms. 👏 Women discriminated against for the color of their skin have created companies celebrating diversity. 👏 Women who have been discriminated against for having disabilities are creating companies with policies that shine a light on the beauty in everyone's differences. 👏 Women who are underrepresented in certain fields creating companies, programs, and mentoring other women and young girls. Showing them it is possible for them to achieve greatness. 👏 Women are stepping into leadership positions, pushing boundaries, making changes, taking a stand and truly paving the way for others. Women are showing up and showing out, and I am here for it! I see you and I appreciate you. Here are some stats that I found: 'Women now make up more than half of the college-educated workforce in the U.S., a significant shift that occurred around the fourth quarter of 2019.' 'As of November 2023, about a third of workers in the country's ten highest-paying occupations are women, up from just 13% in 1980. This includes roles typically earning over $100,000 a year such as physicians, lawyers, and dentists.' 'As of 2023, women constituted 28% of U.S. congressional members and around a third of state legislators. 'Additionally, 11% of Fortune 500 company CEOs are women, and women hold 30% of Fortune 500 board member positions.'

Can you help: Looking for the views of women aged 20-30 in London. Survey: https://lnkd.in/e6nbjFX7 I wanted to introduce Aneita Lewis, she is one of the women who is on the Smallwood Trust Board shadowing programme. Having completed her degree this year she has great ambitions for the future. One of these is to support other women enter into professional spaces. She has developed a survey which she would be grateful if you can pass through your networks to women in London aged 20-30 – the more feedback she has the better she will be enabled to think through next steps. So please find below more details from her below! Survey: https://lnkd.in/e6nbjFX7   ************************   Hello, I’m Aneita! After spending 16 years working in the NHS, I took a bold leap during the pandemic, resigned, and went to uni. Fast forward to this September—I graduated with a first-class degree in Psychosocial Community Work from the University of East London (woohoo!). Now, I’m working as the Admin and Operations Lead for a charity, and in my spare time, I volunteer with Beyond the Streets.    Oh, and did I mention I’m a single mum to an 11yr old daughter and I have a big heart for social justice and women’s rights? That’s why I’m motivated to start a project that’s all about helping and empowering women.    I am exploring an idea that would provide women aged 20-30 with access to buildings/office/meeting room environments. The aim is to offer mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities, and career exposure in spaces that they might not otherwise experience. To better understand the needs and challenges faced by women, I am looking for women aged 20-30 to fill in the following survey: https://lnkd.in/e6nbjFX7 The feedback from the survey will support the development of a pilot program with a small group of women to test the concept. The survey will take under 10 mins to complete, there is an option to remain anonymous or provide a contact email if interested to attend a future pilot programme. once the data has be aggregated and analysed all data will be deleted. Deadline for completion is 28th October 2024: https://lnkd.in/e6nbjFX7

#womenhistorymonth This month of March, “is an honorary observance to recognize and celebrate women for their contributions throughout history and today.” And every March 8th, we observe #internationalwomensday, an annual UN campaign to promote efforts for and on behalf of women. This year’s theme is “Inspire Inclusion”. As a woman CEO, working in a highly competitive Fintech industry, I could relate and share my own decades-long perspective about the role of women, the challenges, opportunities, especially about women empowerment that remains critical in all aspects of our society. I will, however, deviate a little bit from this month’s campaign theme, and share a more personal perspective, one closer to home. Indeed, we have so many women in our history who were game changers. They carried the torch in paving the way, despite and in overcoming difficulties and opposition. I would like to cite one such woman. She is totally unassuming, simple, funny, kind of an introvert, sort of an entrepreneur who tried to ran a small retail store twice, instead focused on being a homemaker, eventually a “stay home”mom up to this day. She married when she was barely nineteen, eloping with a man she has been totally devoted for more than 60 years and still counting. This woman raised four children, with no nannies or full time help. She has 8 grandchildren and still looks far younger than her age. During the past three years, her quiet and simple life has taken an unexpected turn…. Her husband who took care of everything, finances and otherwise, who took charge the past 60 years, who made all major decisions throughout their lives together… slowly and painfully started forgetting things. In three years that he had the onset of #alzheimers, this woman evolved and transformed dramatically. With sublety and tenacity, she started taking in the reins. She started managing the finances, the household, but more importantly, she became his primary caregiver. She is at his side, almost 24/7. This woman’s commitment and devotion to her husband, manifest beyond what love is. In fact, it proves that when faced with challenges and obstacles, a woman’s #strength is most evident. It becomes inherent and a defining moment during times of such adversity. #Aging is inevitable and sometimes it is cruel and unkind. There are so many families with parents affected with this situation. It is a reality that we have to accept and in the long term, manage as best any family could. I’m fortunate to have this incredible woman in our lives. This woman is my mother who is at the helm now, looking after my dad. She is our strength, our rock. She is an inspiration for me, for my daughters, for other women, young and old whose quiet strength is tested in many ways. When her #leadership translates to taking action especially when it matters. She is making it work beyond her 80 years. #gratefuleveryday

Something that is invaluable to me is learning from other people's lived experiences. One of the reasons I love being a member of the 10th house by The Female Founder Collective is it takes minutes for me to connect with founders who have been exactly where I am today... which is testing and getting ready to launch an MVP. I posted this call out last week and the result was: 5 women sharing their experiences, 2 commenting to stay in the know of the responses because they also are curious, 1 coffee chat and a whole new perspective on how to maximize this time. My takeaway for you? Find community, show up to that community, be curious, ask questions, be grateful to those who share! #networking #community #MVP #GTM #femalefounder

Voted for me yet as the Entrepreneur of Impact? For context, I’ve been nominated, and every vote counts every day. Yes, voting daily is what will help me rise to the top and win this! In an industry where women are often overlooked, we’ve partnered with manufacturers and created disability kits. We’ve also led initiatives that help companies reduce their carbon footprints, embrace greener practices, and keep breaking barriers. This isn’t just about me. ✔️ You’re voting to uplift underrepresented groups. ✔️ You’re voting to open doors of opportunity and foster economic growth. Winning this award will allow us to launch a workforce development program that will empower marginalized communities and single parents to build brighter futures. Vote here every day and help move me closer to making a real impact: 👉 https://zurl.co/KbEvr #TeamISP #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurOfImpact #DiversityMatters #Sustainability #CommunityPower

Women Who Serve Women, Serve Men, By Default Women have always been the backbone of their communities, silently bearing the weight of raising children, keeping homes, and holding families together. But today, as women step into self-reliance within a world still shaped by centuries of male-centric norms, we’re facing a different kind of challenge—a twisted pressure that can make us forget our true, collective power. We’ve been sold a quiet lie: that we must do it all on our own. Let’s get real about this: we’re out here setting records in juggling—careers, households, self-care, friendships, and on a brave day, hobbies too. We’re navigating unfair wages, unequal representation, and, if we’re parents, the deepening pressures on our kids. Some of us are even having second thoughts, wondering if life might have been simpler back when a woman couldn’t open a bank account without a man’s signature. The urge to step back from the seemingly endless competition can feel strong, but this longing for “simpler times” reflects the isolation many of us feel right now. Here’s where it gets profound: by coming back together, by serving women first, we naturally begin to serve men too. In supporting each other, we’re creating space for everyone, especially men, to just be themselves instead of unconsciously carrying the burdens of what we haven’t healed. We begin to re-discover joy, trust, and community, building each other up rather than buying into the myth that we’re one another’s competition. The truth is, we need each other to thrive, not only to survive. Throughout history, women have thrived in sisterhood. From the ancient weaving circles to the communal kitchens, women have built lives together, bonded not only by friendship but by a shared understanding of each other’s struggles. Somewhere along the line, as we tried to ‘do it all’ in a man’s world, we forgot that we didn’t have to do it all alone. In rediscovering our connections with each other, we find an antidote to resentment, stress, and isolation. By reaching out and building genuine bonds, we shift from being strangers to confidantes, from acquaintances to allies. Through these relationships, women begin to sense their unique value and potential—gaining strength from each other, we let go of the need to carry everything by ourselves. And this serves everyone. When women reclaim our community and connect in trust and understanding, men benefit too. We let go of the resentment and the quiet (or loud!) blame that many of us hold for a society that unfairly expects us to be all things at once. By supporting one another, we stop putting all of society’s structural woes at the feet of every man in our lives. We create space for men to be who they are without making them the unintended recipients of our frustration. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/evZBBme7