“There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” - Madeleine K. Albright
Gossiping. Cat fights. Jealousy. There are many negative stereotypes about women’s personal and professional relationships, but when I see women working together, I don’t see toxicity. I see a collective impact. The truth is that raising each other up and channeling the power of collaboration is truly how we’ll change the equation—and have way more fun along the way.
Here are 5 reasons to get on board with women helping other women.
It is important to note that supporting other women does not mean excluding or diminishing support for men. It simply recognizes the importance of addressing gender-based inequalities and working together to create a more inclusive society for everyone.
1): Solidarity and Empowerment: By supporting each other, women can foster a sense of solidarity and empowerment. Women often face common challenges and biases in various aspects of life, including the workplace, politics, home life, and society. Supporting one another creates a collective strength that can help overcome these barriers and promote gender equality.
Inspirational woman: Mar Hershenson
Mar Hershenson started seed stage firm Pear VC with former rug dealer and fellow Midas List investor Pejman Nozad in 2013. Dedicated to promoting women in investment and tech, Hershenson co-founded the event Equity Summit and Pear's Female Founder Circles program.
2): Breaking Stereotypes and Bias: Women supporting other women can challenge and break down stereotypes and biases. When women stand together and support each other's achievements, it challenges the notion that women are in competition or that their success is limited. This can help change societal attitudes and promote a more inclusive and equal society.
Inspirational woman: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift gets a lot of attention for her tumultuous dating life, but when it comes to friendship and supporting other women, she is an icon. She’s regularly surrounded by a group of her female friends, and that camaraderie trickles down to her fans as well. Swifties are now gifting each other old-school friendship bracelets at stops on the Eras Tour.
"I never blow out someone else's candle to make mine brighter." - Chelsea Handler
3): Mentorship and Role Models: Supporting other women provides opportunities for mentorship and the creation of positive role models. By sharing experiences, knowledge, and guidance, women can help each other navigate professional and personal challenges. This mentorship can be invaluable in helping women progress in their careers, build confidence, and achieve their goals.
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Inspirational woman: Michelle Obama
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is many things; an attorney, author, and fashion icon. Thanks to her advocacy for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating, she’s also a role model to millions of women and girls, including her own daughters. “When I get up and work out, I'm working out just as much for my girls as I am for me because I want them to see a mother who loves them dearly, who invests in them, but who also invests in herself.
4): Networking and Collaboration: Supporting other women encourages networking and collaboration. By building strong connections and relationships, women can create a supportive network that opens doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships. This can lead to increased visibility, professional growth, and advancement.
Inspirational woman: Janet Tiebout Hanson
Janet Hanson is not only a personal friend, she also is an American financier and the first woman to be promoted to Sales Management at Goldman Sachs. In 1997, she founded 85 Broads (now the Ellevate Network), a global community of women committed to fostering and promoting gender equality in the workplace. The organization provides women with a community to lean on and learn from through networking, online and offline education, inspiration, and opportunity. Blazin Babes, my female founder community, was built off of the premise of 85Broads back in 2014 (as well as “The Stiletto Network, written by Pamela Ryckman).
5): Collective Advancement: When women support other women, it contributes to the overall advancement of women in society. By championing each other's achievements and advocating for equal opportunities, women can create positive change. This collective advancement benefits not only individual women but also future generations, as it helps create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Inspirational woman: Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon is one of my favorite actresses, but that’s not why she’s on this list. In 2016, she founded Hello Sunshine with Seth Rodsky, Otter Media, and Sarah Harden, a joint venture focused on telling female-driven stories on film, TV, and digital platforms. While Reese has now sold her portion of Hello Sunshine, she remains integral to its mission. The network regularly provides authors, filmmakers, and successful women with a platform to share their stories and promote their work.
Important announcement!
To ensure that were are only fostering relationships between women who support other women, Blazin’ Babes will now admit new members by referral or application only. Email me at info@renatamerino.com for more information! As we build our new membership platform, you can find out more about who we are, our nine-year track record, and how we give back to our community.
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