What does true empowerment look like? On this International Women’s Day, we’re reminded that empowerment is not just something to celebrate. It’s about action, change, and self-awareness.
This morning in my book club meeting, we talked about the women who have shaped us. Not just the women in history books or on global stages, but also the ones whose names may never be publicly recognized.
These are our mothers, grandmothers, aunties and other women in our circles – our unsung heroines.
As we shared stories, I found myself thinking about my late maternal grandmother, a woman ahead of her time.
At a time when Africans were not allowed to plant coffee and tea, she went ahead and did it anyway.
Decades later, when coffee prices crashed during President Moi’s reign and it was deemed illegal to cut down coffee plants, she outsmarted the system by leaving a perimeter of coffee trees intact while quietly replacing the rest with food crops.
From the outside, it still looked like a coffee farm, but inside, it was a testament to her resilience and defiance.
I was amazed as I listened to people sharing tributes during her funeral and found myself wondering, “Just who was Cucu (grandmother)?”
She was bold, strategic, fearless, kind, giving, tough, and God loving.
The Women Who Have Shaped Us: A Tribute to Unsung Heroines
Women like my grandmother knew their worth. They understood their power. And because of that, they found ways to challenge the rules, create change, and build a better future, way before the world was ready for them to do so.
On this International Women’s Day, as we reflect on the theme Accelerate Action, I’m reminded that long before we had global movements, women like my grandmother, mother and aunties were already accelerating action in their own ways – challenging norms, creating change, and paving the way for us.
Beyond that, we have women like Prof. Wangari Maathai who have inspired other women and fought for change and transformation. Such women transformed lives through courage and resilience.
My grandmother’s story reminds me of Prof. Maathai’s powerful words:
“You cannot enslave a mind that knows itself, that values itself, that understands itself.”
Wangari Maathai was a force for change. As the founder of the Green Belt Movement, she empowered countless women by linking environmental conservation with economic empowerment.
Her legacy extends far beyond Kenya, as she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
Her work reminds us that even the smallest actions, such as planting a tree, can create ripple effects of transformation locally and across the world.
Prof. Maathai also said:
“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness. To reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.”
Her words are not just a reflection of the past. They are a challenge for us today. And this call to action ties directly into this year’s International Women’s Day theme: “Accelerate Action.”
Women Leading Change Beyond International Women’s Day
Women have fought hard to get to the top in all areas of business and society. We are now part of leadership, at the forefront of change, leading teams, launching businesses, and driving innovation. But in the process, we sometimes forget to prioritize ourselves.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s draw inspiration from Wangari Maathai and the many trailblazing women who have accelerated action and driven positive change for us today.
These women remind us that progress isn’t just about policies or campaigns. It’s also about the quiet revolutions led by women who refuse to be held back.
Their courage, resilience, and leadership are testament to the fact that breakthroughs come when we take bold steps for ourselves and future generations.
What Does ‘Accelerate Action’ Mean for You?
Progress doesn’t just happen. It requires deliberate, courageous steps.
If you were to take one bold step toward the life you truly want, what would it be?
- Would it mean prioritizing yourself in a way you never have before?
- Would it mean breaking free from the patterns that keep you stuck?
- Or would it mean stepping into your next level of confidence, clarity, and fulfillment?
The truth is that women often pour so much into others – our families, careers, communities and other social circles.
The truth is that you can’t pour from an empty cup! Eventually, you will burn out and lose the momentum you had gained. You can only be strong for others when you are strong inside out. Your well-being, your dreams, your success…all these factors matter.
Ways to Accelerate Action in Your Life
Women are now increasingly at the forefront of change. But in our drive for success, we must also make space for personal growth and well-being.
Here are three simple but powerful ways you can take action in your own life today
1. Prioritize Your Self-Care
Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Whether it’s a daily walk, journaling, or moments of stillness, these small habits create lasting impact.
Check out the 28 Days of Loving Yourself Challenge if you need a structured process that will help you prioritize your self-care.
2. Break Free from Limiting Patterns
Identify the habits or beliefs that are holding you back, and take intentional steps to replace them with empowering ones.
3. Step Up With Confidence
Now that you’ve taken care of your wellness, show up strongly for yourself by pushing out of your comfort zone.
- Grow your public speaking and networking skills.
- Apply for new roles you feel you may not qualify for.
- Speak up more at work and share ideas in places where you’d have kept quiet before.
Find out what your next level requires and place yourself there. Shaky, scared, but stepping up all the same.
Celebrate, and Take Your Next Step
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s draw inspiration from Wangari Maathai’s legacy. Let’s accelerate action by embracing our strengths, challenging our fears, and supporting each other in our pursuit of empowerment.
Together, we can create a world where every woman can thrive and reach her full potential.
Happy International Women’s Day!
You don’t have to go it alone
If you’re ready to accelerate action but need guidance, having the support of an experienced Life Coach can make all the difference.
Here are three ways I can support you:
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