Dr. Elizabeth King, LCSW, CHt
It’s International Women’s Month! We held our mini-retreat this year on International Women’s Day, celebrating women in all walks of life, in all shapes, all sizes, all career paths, and all relationship statuses. We laughed, learned, and shared; motivated each other to do even more in the coming months; and reminded each other that in order to nurture those around us we first must nurture ourselves.
We also looked at what a long way we’ve come! In the U.S. alone, women have made huge strides over the past decades. We formerly were relegated primarily to raising children, cooking, and cleaning – all noble pursuits, but not the choice of every woman.
From not being able to vote to being unable to open a bank account or have a credit card in our name, we have fought for and won the right to exist outside the sphere of home and kitchen. We lead companies, spearhead initiatives, run countries and manage organizations at every level and in every field.
There’s still work to be done, however – in our personal lives, and in the corporate world. We still forget, all too often, to put our own oxygen mask on first – and burn out when we try to do everything for everyone else instead. We still face inequality in wages, are ignored at promotion time, and have to fight the glass ceiling across the corporate landscape.
How are you contributing to the forward movement of women everywhere? Are you caring for yourself? Making time for the other women in your life? Using woman owned businesses, hiring women, and promoting women? Even making a point to pay a compliment, send a smile, or offer a word of encouragement can be a way to support women around you – it doesn’t matter how you show support, as long as you find a way to do so!
Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick is the oxygen mask for women from all walks of life. Our S.A.S.S.Y. communities empower women to live the best life they can. We encourage them to shine in whatever capacity they have and in a variety of roles. Women are role models, mentors, daughters, sisters, mothers, wives, and friends. We can recommit every day to being women who lead by example, women who walk the walk, women who lock arms and join hands and hearts. Together, we can create safe havens and pathways for other women to do the same.
I too need to have mentors and other inspirational and influential women who inspire me. There is no shame in needing and asking for help. I encourage women of all ages to find their own mentor and role model to support them in reaching the next level in their lives, and to seek opportunity to become mentors themselves.
You can help yourself and others by joining a movement created by women who believe in each other and support each other in every area of their life. Suits, Stilettos, and Lipstick is an organization comprised of women with a unifying vision and a belief in empowering each other through support, education, and love. Find out more and attend a SASSY women’s meeting near you!
It’s time to put on your lipstick attitude and get out there and live a SASSY life!
