Rise Up My Warrior

This morning, my daughter innocently asked me “Why do we need an International Women’s Day?” After I picked my jaw off the floor, I realized that despite how much I talk about equality, in her 9 year old world, she’s lucky enough to see things fairly. 

My daughter doesn’t know the injustices of the past or the ones she will meet in later life. She doesn’t know that we earn 18% less than our male counterparts and as she is a Latina, she will probably earn even less. She doesn’t know that 2020 has almost wiped out 25 years of progress for women, with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research reporting that women have lost their jobs 4X more than men in 2020. Nor does she know, that sometimes I don’t feel safe when out alone late at night or that there’s specific fear I have for her safety as she grows up and matures.

Of course she doesn’t know it, yet. Because it dawned on me, like every marginalized group in this world, I will need to find the right time and words to share with her what it means to be a woman in this world.

As I work to find the words, I know I will not focus on the challenges we face, but rather tell her that she can change the world! I am going to tell her about the amazing sisterhood that we have, a tribe of women that are always by our sides, helping us through all stages in life. I will tell her that if I were to be reborn again after this life I would ask to be a woman, so that I could give life and have the honor to raise the next generation of humans—what a privilege. I will tell her that we are fierce, that in any moment if there is a crisis we know what to do, how to do it and we know exactly who can help us. We know this because we are women, natural born warriors who since the beginning of time have protected their young. I will make sure she knows that standing up for who we love and for what is right is in our DNA.

So if you are like me, responsible for either raising a daughter or coaching young females, tell them that darkness will only last if you don’t bring your light! Tell them life is not happening to them, but happening for them. Please tell them that being a woman is a gift from the Gods. Tell them not to squander that gift and be the woman they are destined to be. Fierce, nurturing, wise or however they define it. It will be hard and some days when you are struggling to keep your head up, just reach out and we will help you. The sisterhood will always kick in and help.

On March 8th when we come together for our Women in Samsung ERG panel for International Women’s Day. I urge everyone to #ChoosetoChallenge the narrative that we pass on to our daughters and sisters and instead, draw on each other’s strengths.

Remember one woman has power, but together we can have tremendous impact. Together, we are fierce. Together, we are unstoppable!

Thank you for reading,

Michelle

P.S. I dedicate this email to my own beautiful mother, who left this world when she was only 43. She never got the chance to see me grow up, but if she can see me now, I hope that I live up to her dreams and that I am the woman and mother she hoped I would be.

Author: Michelle is the SVP and leader of corporate strategy & transformation, product innovation and incubator teams for Samsung Electronics America. Her focus is on transforming the US growth through strategy hacking, business model and product innovation and rapid change management. Before that Michelle spent 16 years at Procter & Gamble, most of her time in Prestige Beauty, then moved to become the CMO at Vertu, British luxury handmade mobile handsets. For upcoming posts, follow Michelle on LinkedIn and twitter. All statements made, opinions expressed in this article only reflect her personal opinion.

Other articles written by Michelle: 

1. The 5 steps P&G taught me on how to build a Leadership Culture. 
2. Improve your Leadership overnight with these 3 simple steps.
3. True Grit- the success gene
4. The 5 tips to my younger self
5. Why some emotional advertising misses the mark

My warrior in the making. Sofia Matos, then age 8 after winning a medal in Giant Slalom (GS), Megève, France.