What is a strong woman? | WORDS

What does it mean to be a strong woman? In a world that claims to be smashing through the many glass ceilings us ladies have faced throughout history I can't help but wander are we creating as many as we destroy?

As International Womens Day came and passed I found myself asking the question - what is a strong woman? Am I a strong woman?
Is a strong woman the leader of a large business? Is she the woman working in third world countries? Is she the doctor saving lives with ground breaking surgeries? Is she the writer sitting in her room typing away on a beat up laptop? Is she the mother, nurturing and loving the next generation? Is she the girl in the street - rushing to wherever she has to be? Is she the model walking the catwalk for Paris fashion week? Is she the lawyer standing up for those that have been wronged? Is she a leader, risking her life to stand up for the rights her country denies her?
The answer is a strong woman is all of the above and so much more. There is no outline or definition for what a strong woman must be. Being strong cannot be defined by anybody but you. Being true to whatever you are and not being ashamed of that is pure unadulterated strength.

In this world of growing equality for women - don't get me wrong we still have an extremely long way to go before we reach actual equality - I am astounded at the unachievable standards women are expected to reach. Although women today in most countries can do it all if they choose - this does not mean they have to do it all. The images I am surrounded by are ones that expect women to reach for some pedestal that is ultimately impossible. That pedestal might that changed from the perfect, timid, mother and housewife to today's career woman that somehow manages to juggle her job and family all while remaining a size 8.

It seems that although all these doors are now open to us - we still can't decide for ourselves what we want. Instead of being forced down one path we are expected to walk down three or four different paths simultaneously. Women today can have it all we are told - and therefore on some level are expected to have it all. The partner, the kids, the career, the looks, the money.

 In one of my recent lectures a professor asked the class to stand up, he then asked those that did not identify as feminists to sit down. As I stood taller and prouder than before I was horrified to see how many girls sat down straight away. I looked around me in shock. While most of the males in the room had not sat down - something I was delighted to see. I honestly was gobsmacked that at least 1/3 ladies were sitting down - looking at the rest of us with a look that said 'pfft look at all those bra burning freaks'. The saddest part is that our own worst enemy is ourselves.Women bashing other women for not reaching these ridiculous standards. We need to stop - help yourself by helping other ladies.  Go follow your dream - but understand that it is yours and maybe not the same as that of your best friend, your sister, the lady on the street, or anybody else's for that matter. So the next time you see her struggling with the shopping while trying to calm the screaming child, or attempting to open the door with a stack of papers in her hands and a briefcase or three hanging off her arm - offer to help. Even if she says no, you will feel the better for it.

Be happy being the best you possible and accept and congratulate others for doing the same. Although we cannot expect others to fight our battles for us - we can sure as hell help each other out. Instead of just being a strong woman, be a strong person. 

Empower yourself by empowering others.