I am sitting at my desk today on March 1, 2025, the first day of Women’s History Month 2025, contemplating the events of this past week. The highlight of my week was attending the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Leadership Conference. Empowering women leaders strengthens our communities. The women role models I encountered this week and every day in my nonprofit work deepens my belief in the role of women in our society.
What Constitutes a Woman Leader?
Women leaders may or may not be publicly visible. I want to explain the word “leader” in the context of this blog. Women are characteristically care givers who foster friendships, families, and communities. Leading by example and lifestyle is a daily responsibility in personal and professional life for them. They could be someone who raises independent, respectful, strong children and community leaders. My own mother grew up on a farm in a small rural community. She left her home at eighteen with no car, started her first job one hundred fifty miles away from her family in a new city, and rode the bus to work each day.
This is an illustration of one woman. My mother raised three daughters who give back to their communities each day in their work. It was leading by example through her work ethic, integrity, and love that provided us with the opportunity to lead productive, purposeful lives in our own communities. Sit and think for a moment of a woman in your life that did that for you. That is what constitutes a woman leader. It might not be your mother. Perhaps it was a teacher, an aunt, a neighbor, or someone you never met; a book author, social media influencer, dancer, architect, or cook. If you were impressed by a woman and the work they do, you know a woman leader.
Connecting Women Leaders Through Community
There was a large conference room packed with attendees at the Women’s Leadership Conference. What gave me great delight was the diversity of women attending and the topics on the agenda. The three topics were:
- Invest in Yourself Financially
- Invest in Yourself Physically
- Invest in Your Social Capital
The speakers ranged in profession from those in the financial and banking business, medical healthcare professionals, restaurant owners, Navy veterans, lawyers, nonprofit leaders, and health coaches. I sat and thought to myself how much each of them contributes to and increase economic growth. This was in my community. Think about the impact these types of women leaders have in our global community.
I was fortunate to network with some of these women. The interest in what each of us do in our daily lives was inspiring and formed new networks of support for me moving forward with my work at DiepCFoundation.
Women Leaders Paying it Forward
The women leaders I meet in my online community on the DiepCJourney Facebook group are the most diverse, global network I know. I learn from them every day. These are women leaders who bring their unique perspective to what it is like to go through the decisional process of having breast reconstruction. Whether they define themselves as leaders or not, to me, they are! Acting as role models for each other, the provide lived experiences of being affected by breast cancer. They include:
- Those who are newly diagnosed.
- Are at higher risk of getting breast cancer through a genetic mutation.
- Patients who are recovering from surgery.
- Survivors who inspire new members by showing there is life beyond breast cancer and surgery.
They may not have joined the group intending to “pay it forward” but the acts of kindness shown to each other are quite amazing. These women will mail to other members “gently used” or unused items they purchased during treatment and surgery they no longer need. They encourage one another to prioritize their mental and physical health so they can return to work and their lives before breast cancer. How powerful it that leadership? They even self-advocate for one another to continue to provide the best healthcare options.
Who Are Women Leaders in Your Life?
I would love to hear from you. Please share with me the women leaders in your life during Women’s History Month. Do you know them, or did they inspire you from afar? How is your life better because of the women leader who inspires you?
Reading this, Beth, I’m struck by how you yourself exemplify these leadership qualities and inspire me! Marie Ennis O’Connor
Terri! Not Beth – sorry!
But we both know and admire Beth as a Woman Leader so I’m quite flattered Marie!! 😉
We are fortunate, Marie, to be in communities of inspiring women leaders. Thank you for your kind comments. There are many instances when I can claim I “upped my game” because of what I learn from you. A circular community of inspiration! There you go.