Embracing Femininity as Armor in the Professional Arena

In the labyrinth of professional life, International Women's Day offers us a moment of reflection. A moment to question, to challenge, and to redefine. The corporate world, with its skyscrapers reaching for the stars, somehow still shadows the very ground on which women stand firm. We've seen the token gestures, the performative allyship, the pink-washing, and the hollow echoes of 'diversity and inclusion' that still to this day struggle to penetrate the glass ceiling, let alone shatter it.

Amidst this, my question arises: What if femininity itself is the disruptor we've overlooked?

Weaponized girlhood isn't just a theory; it's a lived reality for many. It's the strategic deployment of society's expectations of femininity back against itself. Think about it - the choice to be 'proactively feminine' can be a powerful form of armor. It's not about succumbing to stereotypes but reclaiming them, transforming perceived weaknesses into unassailable strengths. It's about owning the narrative. I am often asked in wonder about my nails, my lashes, my outfits... the underlying implication of their contrast with my capabilities, my knowledge, and my professional id (also called 'worksona' in my friend group). My professionality regularly questioned because I appear in makeup, with long colorful nails, heels, and a smile to a meeting. Without knowing that for me, owning my femininity was a way to protest against familiar expectations, societal pressure, and fully becoming a "I'm not like the other girls" person. As if pitting myself against other women willing somehow made me better.

I redefined what strength looked like for me, wearing my glitter like an armor, using my outfits as a beacon, and yielding my make-up like a weapon.

To my fellow women in the workforce: Embrace your femininity, your identity, your uniqueness. Let them be your armor, your strength, and your guide. We define the parameters of our success, paving the way not just for ourselves but for every woman who steps into the arena after us.

Because when we change the game, we play to win.