On Being Heard-Women

Hotei by Jan Rentenaar/Ewer by Pam Murakami

My head is racing with thoughts and exploding with the resulting generated energy. The univere is crying out and my pen cannot write fast enough. In the past three weeks I have heard the same message or related ones from several different sources.  In a few words, the message is this: the power to change the world must be in the hands of women. A couple of weeks ago I listened to Joan Chittister, a Benedictine nun and activist, being interviewed by Oprah. Ms. Chittister’s answer to the question about important positive changes in this world was this: “nothing in the world will change until the plight of women in the world is changed”. She reminded us that at this point only half of the population is being heard!  The importance of educating girls in the world is the crusade of Angelique Kidjo as she uses her voice to institute change by working through UNICEF and her own foundation, The Batonga Foundation. This foundation gives girls a secondary and higher education, allowing them to take the lead in changing Africa. Half the Sky Movement is another source which works towards turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide.

Third world countries are not the only places in the world where women are not being heard. In the business world, think about the lack of women in top corporate positions; they are few.  I looked up the subject of women in corporate America and came up with many resorces reinforcing this fact.  After a little digging, I found a piece written by LeanIn.org. contributor, Jessica Bennett, entitled, To Make the Most of Meetings, Avoid “Manterrupting” (the unnecessary interruption of a woman by a man). Being constantly interrupted was the topic of the third conversation which brought my attention to the subject of women striving to move the world positively forward and not being heard. Women who are making it into the higher echelon of businesses/corporations repeatedly find themselves unable to express their ideas and opinions. I repeat, half of the population is NOT being heard. Ms. Bennett shared a list of tips for making the most of meetings and I would  add, all communicating. Two of the these tips are directly related to what I teach; they are #1 employ assertive body language and #2, own your voice.”

My question to myself was, how can I make a difference? My work is teaching those whose voices are not being heard, whether that be in their personal lives, or work. Owning our own voice  comes from learning to pause long enough to actually hear and pay attention.  Only then can we move forward to gain the confidence and courage to stand tall and demand to be heard. We can give notice, not in a bossy way, but with our no-nonsense, confident, commanding posture. It is up to each of us to make sure we prime our voices to be heard. As life coach Lisa Nichols says, we are “our own rescue”. Pause, exhale, and with that incoming breath, begin. That is our mandate and I am determined to lead the charge! Find your authentic voice and move forward.