Tag: empowerment

Sister Girl Magic: Femme in Bloom

Last week, I met phenomenal women including Rene Daniella, one of my favorite lifestyle bloggers. Rene flew to Chicago and organized this fun event which included a phenomenal women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship panel to close out Women’s History Month. The knowledge in that room was just amazing! Anyhow, I wanted to share just a couple highlights and will revisit other lessons learned from this event during future Life Untangled posts.

To share a bit about the panelists, there was Lifestyle and Travel Blogger Rene Daniella of course plus Fitness guru Katie Wildhagen (Founder of the BAKESHOP), Freelance Travel Journalist Megan Snedden and Deun Ivory and Lauren Ash, co-founders of Lifestyle with Ivory + Ash, and Art Director and Creative Director of Black Girl In Om.

In addition to the fab host and panelists, the other attendees in the room were just amazing. I love a space where women get together and support one another, boosting and lifting each other up like the sisters we all are.

The topics our panel covered included how to… start your brand, secure sponsorship, pitch, grow your audience, build your website, merchandise and so on.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the intimate event.

“Explore the range of your capabilities.
Don’t be afraid to say yes to God. Be faithful. Honor your individuality and passions.” -Deun Ivory

“Explore your curiosities. Throw out the timing of things and just start doing things. It will grow from there. Leave room for the unknown, even if you’re a planner, so there is room to see you’re on the right path to cultivate your passions.” -Lauren Ash

“What’s the thing you do naturally that you don’t realize is your purpose because you do it so naturally?” -Megan Snedden

“Take my fear and worry from me and replace it with service and creativity.” -Katie Wildhagen

“Take ownership of how you want to define femininity.” -Rene Daniella

I learned a lot of encouraging, challenging and practical things to help me and others on paths of empowerment and entrepreneurship. I will share more in future posts especially as I put into practice the tips I gathered. For now, do yourself a favor and check out the links in this post and share the love. These women are doing incredible things!

L to R: Rene Daniella, Deun Ivory, Lauren Ash, Megan Snedden and Katie Wildhagen

Empowered

The definition of empowerment is “the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.”

This weekend, millions of woen, men and children participated in the Women’s March which set the world ablaze about the value of rights, activism, unity and empowerment. 

The guiding principles of the Women’s March was women’s rights are human rights, regardless of a woman’s race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, sexual identity, gender expression, economic status, age or disability. 

Through the nonviolent activism, the idea of bringing people together to support, encourage and motivate one another while also championing the mission is critical and important. 

The fight for true equality will continue for many groups across the world who feel marginalized or underestimated, undervalued, overlooked, simply ignored, taken advantage of and the list can continue. The organizers and marchers recognize there is more to be done thus there are immediate next steps on the  Women’s March website to continue impact.

I’m sad I couldn’t make it to the march. Though the sheer size of the crowds gathered gives me anxiety, I also get goosebumps thinking about the powerful images of people peacefully getting together to make an international statement. I stand in solidarity with the movement to encourage/challenge our leaders and fellow citizens to actions that protect people and foster community over division. 

May all the peaceful and positive voices who came to be seen and heard, continue to do just that. May communities join together in unity, get inspired and make movements to create a better world today and tomorrow.