I was asked to write a profile on myself for this month’s SheTalks newsletter. But I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ve shared my story countless times in the media, on the SheTalks stage and at events I’ve spoken at.
So instead, I want to use this opportunity to tell you about some (not all) of the women I have been blessed to break bread with, share tears with and create joy with. These are the women who SheTalks was created for. These are the women who spend their days spreading love and facing the struggles and trials that so many of you face.
SheTalks was created as a platform for women to share stories. And here are some of the women I am so lucky to have in my life:
My mother – I can’t express how lucky I am to have such understanding and caring parents. Despite not choosing the type of career and life that they would have hoped for me, they have supported every decision I have ever made and have shown me the real meaning of unconditional love. My mother is the strongest woman I know. She taught me the value and importance of family. She taught me the importance of working hard, building your own career and having dinner on the table at 6 p.m. every night for your family. She has taught me how to show love.
My clams – A group of 12 women who are my tribe. They are mothers, sisters, business owners, career women and daughters. These are the women who I can call on for anything. These are the women who have shown me that healthy female friendships are built on laughter, empowerment, inappropriate jokes and camaraderie.
Boo and Boo Boo – These women are my heroes and my spirit animals. Despite the experiences and hardships they have faced, they have shown me what fierce protection and love look like.
Monica – My cousin, my sister. I speak about her often…and I won’t ever stop. We lost her far too early, but in the time she blessed us with her grace and love, she showed us what a mother should be, what a daughter should be and what a wife should be.
There are so many more women I could speak about, women who are truly my role models and are what I hope to be as I mature in my career and life. These are women who I hope to emulate as I become a wife and a mother.
To reiterate what I said at the beginning, this is what SheTalks is about. It’s about building a community that shows women what female-built community and support can look like. SheTalks is about creating connections that are built on empowerment and love.
My story is nothing without these women, just like SheTalks is nothing without all women.