RING, RING! Ladies are you there? It’s International Womxn's Day and do you know what that means? The one day we get to flaunt our multitasking skills with pride! Let's dish about how we're the queens of multitasking, effortlessly juggling work, carpool duties, and even that dreaded PTA meeting while battling a cold (sorry, guys, but you really do turn into big babies when you sniffle). We show up at work, build teams, streamline procedures, all while being paid less than Rick, who hasn't lifted a finger in two years. It's like we're playing life on hard mode, while some dudes coast by on easy street. Just another day in the life of Wonder Womxn everywhere!

In absolute seriousness, today is a really important day. Womxn’s Day holds immense significance, it unites us on a global scale. Acknowledging and celebrating the contributions women make across social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. Today serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey towards gender equality, shedding light on both the progress achieved and the hurdles that still need to be overcome. We continue to bind together to build awareness and understanding of gender-related challenges. Fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment!

A Hot Take

Perhaps it's the resilience instilled by my single mother, who built her empire from scratch, that fuels my fervent advocacy for womxn's equality. Growing up, I navigated those tumultuous adolescent waters like everyone else – no halo above my head, that's for sure. Surrounded predominantly by womxn at a performing arts high school, where fabulousness reigned supreme, I witnessed firsthand the power of camaraderie and mutual support. Yet, as I stepped beyond those halls, I encountered a stark contrast: a cutthroat world of female rivalry, an ugly hybrid of insecurity and cruelty. It's a phenomenon I initially attributed to the competitiveness ingrained in my dancer's upbringing, but it runs deeper, shaped by the historical mold we've been cast in. Despite strides forward, the corporate landscape remains a throwback to yesteryears, with white men still dominating the C-suite, occasionally allowing a token womxn, usually in a marketing role. Why the reluctance to shake up the status quo? Fear. Change is scary, and humans, well, we're creatures of habit.

Pushing boundaries as I grow empowHER, to build a community of fierce womxn seeking support and education across a multitude of topics, I am struck by recent words directed at me: "Advocating for women is soooo 2017," uttered by another womxn. These words linger, for two reasons. First, how could another womxn perceive advocating for fellow womxn as an outdated pursuit? Second, what the actual fuck! My initial reaction? Utter shock and disappointment. The issue isn't solely about men shutting us out; it's about the barriers WE have erected for ourselves. We are the ones who need to join together to break down the “token” spots at the top. We are the ones that can make the change in unison. There is so much we can do and sometimes I think we forget we are more powerful then we give ourselves credit.

I want both womxn and men to walk away from this section with a couple of thoughts. It's easy to claim support for womxn, but true action is what makes the difference. Throughout my journey, I've been fortunate to receive endless support, which, in my book, is the ultimate form of success (though I wouldn't mind seeing it in dollar signs someday). However, I've also witnessed the reluctance of many to step up and enact change.

Before wrapping up my "hot takes," let's address the infamous phrase, "god, she's just too emotional." Frankly, I'm tired of tiptoeing around the word 'emotion.' Let's get real here. We all experience emotions – yes, even men. I've seen plenty of men lose their cool. But when Jess from finance has a rough day and slips up, suddenly she's labeled as unstable, incapable of managing her emotions. The double standard couldn't be clearer. We could swap stories for hours about the stern "talking-tos" we've faced in our careers simply for showing emotions. My advice? Embrace your emotions. Some of my strongest relationships have been built not because I'm a social butterfly, but because I'm emotionally intelligent. People trust me because I show them my humanity. You could have all the fancy degrees from Ivy League schools, but if you lack emotional intelligence, good luck.

How Womxn Can Band Together

We know I like a list, here are my top suggestions for womxn to get more involved, collaborate and build together.

1. Networking and Communities: Women can create or join networks and communities, both online and offline, to share knowledge, resources, and support. These groups can serve as powerful platforms for mentorship, collaboration, and collective action. I am absolutely obsessed with the womxn at Monday Girl have built and highly recommend you check them out.

2. Education and Awareness Raising: By educating themselves and others about womxn's rights, gender equality, and the challenges women face, individuals can raise awareness and contribute to a more informed and empathetic society. Her Workspace is another amazing community that provides a space for work, networking and events, career resources and more.

3. Supporting Womxn-led Initiatives: By supporting businesses, organizations, and initiatives led by womxn, individuals can contribute to the economic empowerment of womxn and help create more opportunities for female leadership and innovation. Female Founder World famous for their events but also bringing womxn together.

4. Amplifying Womxn's Voices: Encouraging and amplifying the voices of womxn, especially those from marginalized communities, can ensure a diverse range of experiences and perspectives are heard and valued, driving more inclusive and effective solutions to the challenges women face.

Before we dive into my favorite section of this newsletter, I want to extend a heartfelt invitation to empowHER's FIRST summit! Set to take place at Shopify in NYC on March 27th, this event promises to be nothing short of phenomenal. I've teamed up with my dear friends Jess, Dillon, and Gabs to bring you ladies the ultimate one-day womxn-only extravaganza!

We've secured sponsorship from some of the tech industry's biggest and brightest partners. I couldn't be prouder of the agenda we've meticulously crafted, featuring 6/7 figure brands spanning top categories like Beauty, Health & Wellness, Fashion & Apparel, and more. And guess what? We've already surpassed 100 registered attendees, ensuring an unforgettable day of empowerment. Remember, empowered womxn empower womxn!

Sign up today - SheInnovates Summit

Her In Focus

Shari and I met In August of 2023, I noticed her right away in a room full of a 100 or so people. Her energy was electric, I will actually call it gravitational. Though our initial conversation was brief, I immediately sensed that Shari was someone I wanted to connect with on a deeper level. Now, before we delve into the interview, I must take a moment to sing Shari's praises.

Not only has she achieved remarkable success throughout her career, but she's also garnered significant recognition from her peers. Just recently, Shari was honored as part of the 'US 2024 Class of Inspiring Women' campaign, a testament to her outstanding contributions. Her thought leadership and knack for crafting successful PR and media campaigns continue to earn her accolades. While her accomplishments undoubtedly inspire me, it's Shari's humility that truly sets her apart.

I sat down with Shari a couple weeks back and wanted to learn more about her past, present and what the future looks like. These interviews really make me emotional, when I read through the responses, I can’t even begin to explain the love, respect and admiration i have for these womxn. Shari you are an inspiration to me. Let’s get into it!