How can you Support other women?

Posted on 8 May, 2023 by Marie Lafortune

As women, we have the power to lift each other up and make the world a better place. Unfortunately, there is often a pervasive idea that women are in competition with each other and that supporting other women will somehow diminish our own success. However, the truth is that when we support other women, we all benefit. Here are some ways we can support each other:

1. Celebrate each other's successes:

When a woman you know achieves something great, whether it's a promotion at work or a personal accomplishment, celebrate her! Send her a message or a card, take her out for coffee or lunch, and let her know that you are proud of her. Celebrating each other's successes is an important aspect of building a supportive and uplifting community, especially among women. When a woman you know achieves something great, it's important to acknowledge and recognize her accomplishments and show her that you are genuinely happy for her.

Sending a message or a card if you know the person at a personal level. This can be a simple message expressing your congratulations and admiration for her achievement. You can also consider sending her a thoughtful gift, such as a bouquet of flowers or a small token of appreciation. Another way to celebrate a woman's success is to take her out for coffee or lunch. This provides an opportunity to personally congratulate her and hear more about her accomplishments. It's also a great way to show your support and strengthen your relationship with her. When celebrating a woman's success, it's important to be genuine and to focus on her accomplishments. Avoid making comparisons or bringing up your own achievements, as this can diminish her success and make her feel less important. Instead, focus on her and what she has achieved, and let her know that you are proud of her.

By celebrating each other's successes, we can create a culture of support and encouragement among women. This not only benefits individual women but also helps to create a more positive and empowering environment for all women. So, the next time a woman you know achieves something great, take the time to celebrate her and let her know that her success is important and valued. 

2. Mentor and be mentored:

As women, we have a lot to learn from each other. Seek out opportunities to mentor other women, whether it's in a professional or personal capacity. At the same time, be open to being mentored yourself. Reach out to women you admire and ask for their guidance or support. I have to focus a little on that part. Reach out to women you admire and ask them for guidance. 
I remember that in 2022, one of my goals was to put more strong and successful women in my environment. I did not have to befriend them personally, but words of encouragement and a little follow here and there on their social platform could demonstrate how we support them. In my quest to find women of these calibers, I ended up learning from Danielle Leslie, Annie Jean Baptiste, and Mary T. Barra, whom I follow and get to know more and more every day. I did not have a personal connection with them, but I learned to appreciate their path, their success and took them as a role 
models. 
3. Promote each other:

When you hear about a job opening or an opportunity that might be a good fit for a woman you know, tell her about it! Similarly, if you know of a talented woman who deserves recognition, nominate her for an award or write a recommendation on her behalf.

4. Build a network:

As women, we often face unique challenges in the workplace and in other areas of life. Build a network of other women who you can turn to for support, advice, and encouragement. Attend networking events, join professional organizations, and seek out online communities.

5. Speak up: Speaking up is a powerful tool that women can use to create positive change and to challenge sexism, misogyny, and other forms of discrimination and oppression. When women witness these forms of behavior, it can be easy to stay silent out of fear or discomfort. However, speaking up is a crucial step in creating a more equitable and just society.

One way to speak up is to challenge sexist or discriminatory language or behavior when you hear it. This could be as simple as calling out a sexist joke or remark or correcting someone who uses derogatory language toward women. By doing so, you are letting those around you know that this behavior is not acceptable and that you will not tolerate it. Another way to speak up is to stand up for other women who are experiencing discrimination or oppression. This could involve amplifying their voices and sharing their stories, or it could mean actively supporting them in their efforts to challenge injustice. By standing together, women can create a more powerful and united front against sexism and other forms of discrimination.

It's important to recognize that speaking up can be challenging, especially when it involves confronting those in positions of power or authority. However, by speaking up, women can challenge these power dynamics and create a more equitable and just society. It's also important to remember that speaking up doesn't have to be confrontational or aggressive - it can simply involve calmly and assertively stating your position and advocating for change.

In my book "Be Loud," I emphasize the importance of speaking up and standing up for oneself and others. By doing so, women can challenge gender-based discrimination and oppression and create a more supportive and empowering community. So, the next time you witness sexism, misogyny, or other forms of discrimination or oppression, SPEAK UP and let your voice be heard.

In conclusion, as women, we have the power to support each other and create a more just and equitable world. By celebrating each other's successes, mentoring and being mentored, promoting each other, building a network, and speaking up, we can make a positive impact on each other's lives and on the world at large. Let us lift each other up and build a better future together.