I wish I could bottle the feeling of being in that room, experiencing the Power of Women firsthand. Imagine one hundred women gathered together, side by side, leaning in as each voice filled the space with honesty. Some shared their wins, others shared their struggles, but what struck me most was this: they did not hold back. There was no pretending everything was perfect, no carefully edited version of life. Instead, there was openness, rawness, and connection.
This moment was part of a program that began more than ten years ago, created by women who had a vision to help each other rise. They wanted to build something lasting, something that would allow women of different ages to come together and learn from each other. Sometimes the mentors were older, sometimes they were younger. It wasn’t about age or title. It was about wisdom, support, and the power of shared experience.
Over the years, more than three hundred women have participated. On Thursday, I had the privilege of leading a workshop for the program, and it was the event with one hundred women in the room that brought everything to life for me. Because it is one thing to talk about the power of women supporting women, and another thing entirely to witness it in action.
The conversations were anything but surface level. As a whole, the women shared their wins, their losses, the ways they show up to support everyone around them, and the moments they realized they had forgotten to support themselves. What stood out most were the “aha” moments — the nods of recognition, the quiet pauses where someone realized she wasn’t alone in her struggle, and the sparks of inspiration that came from hearing another woman’s perspective.
That is the beauty of women supporting women. The openness. The willingness to both celebrate and reflect together. Standing there, guiding the conversation, I thought to myself: this is exactly what we need more of.
A Vision That Still Inspires
What made the day so powerful is that it wasn’t just about one event. It was a continuation of a vision that started a decade ago, when a group of women decided to create a program where women could lift each other up. They knew that growth happens when we connect across generations, when we recognize that wisdom isn’t tied to age.
In some cases, the mentors were older, guiding with years of lived experience. In other cases, the mentors were younger, offering fresh perspectives and encouragement to women who had walked longer paths. That balance is what makes the program so unique. It shows us that leadership and mentorship are not one-directional. They flow both ways.
As I led the workshop on Thursday, I felt the strength of that original vision in the room. It reminded me that what those women built more than ten years ago is still flourishing, still creating spaces where women show up authentically and leave with more confidence and courage than they had when they walked in.
Why It Matters
The truth is, we live in a world that benefits from women being divided. When we are competing with each other, doubting ourselves, or silencing our voices, it is harder for us to step into our full power. But when we come together, everything changes.
During the workshop, I taught this very lesson by sharing examples from my own life. I talked about a challenge I’ve carried, and how easy it is to dismiss it or keep it tucked away. The women didn’t respond with silence or judgment, but with nods of understanding. I also shared a recent win, one I had minimized in my own mind, and the room celebrated it with such genuine joy that it made the point clear: we are quick to downplay ourselves, but when we say it out loud and allow others to reflect it back to us, the impact is undeniable.
That is the shift. When we open up, when we allow ourselves to be seen, we give others permission to do the same. And when we celebrate each other, we create momentum that carries us all forward.
These moments matter because they ripple outward. A woman who feels supported is more likely to take a bold step, a woman who feels celebrated is more likely to dream bigger. A woman who feels seen is more likely to show up authentically in her workplace, her family, her community. And when she does, everyone benefits.
The Ripple Effect
I often think about what would happen if we could take the spirit of that workshop and spread it everywhere. Imagine workplaces where women cheer for each other’s promotions instead of wondering if there is only room for one, imagine families where mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends sit around a table and share openly, knowing they will be met with encouragement. Imagine communities where women collaborate, not compete, to bring ideas and change to life.
It starts with small moments. Sending a message to a friend who just accomplished something big. Telling a colleague you see how hard she is working. Sitting with a friend who is struggling and letting her know she does not have to go through it alone.
Celebrating each other does not take much, but it changes everything.
Leading this workshop on Thursday reminded me of that in the most powerful way. Women are not meant to do life in isolation. We are meant to be in community. And when that community is filled with honesty and celebration, there is no limit to what we can do.
Stronger Together
There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” That is the heart of what I saw in that room. Togetherness. Strength. Connection.
We are not stronger because we are perfect; we are stronger because we are willing to admit when we are not, we are not stronger because we have all the answers. We are stronger because we share the questions and the lessons along the way.
Collaboration beats competition every time. And when women support each other, we all rise higher.
A Call to Action
So here is my hope for you, reading this today. Celebrate the women in your life. Do not wait for a big event or a milestone moment. Do it today. Tell a friend you are proud of her. Send a message to someone you admire and let her know she inspires you. Remind the women around you that their wins matter, their struggles matter, and most of all, that they matter.
Because the truth is, we do not have to wait for a program or an event to create these moments. We can create them in our everyday lives. Around kitchen tables. In conference rooms. Over coffee. In text messages and phone calls.
We are so much stronger when we are together. And when we celebrate each other, we remind the world of a truth it cannot ignore: women are powerful, and when we lift each other up, we are unstoppable.
