Today is the first day of International Women’s Month – Woo Hoo!! We’ll be sharing lots of special meditations, talks and resources this month to uplift women everywhere.
To kick things off, here are a few simple ways to celebrate Women’s History Month on your own:
1. Reach out to a woman who has inspired you and share the impact she’s had on you.
A quick email or text can have a lasting effect. Do it now! Before you forget. I’m serious. It’ll take less than two minutes.
2. Invite a woman speaker (ahem, me!) to your company, organization or bookclub.
I heard Vanessa Loder is, like, really great. Have you heard of her? You have?! She brings together compelling research with practical tools and strategies to help women leaders, and shares it all in a funny, authentic way. Gosh, she sounds wonderful. How do we book her?
Email robyn@vanessaloder.com for speaker + workshop info. See a list of popular topics HERE.
3. Buy from, invest in and support women-owned businesses (especially women of color who are double penalized and deserve double the investment!)
Here’s a list of 99 Black Women-Owned Brands and Entrepreneurs to Support
You can also search for vendors that are women of color in the service industry. A client of mine intentionally hired a female landscape architect for a recent project at her house and the structural engineer that she brought in was Asian American. You can look for (ask for) POC, women and WOC as you look for doctors, lawyers, financial planners, wellness professionals, music teachers, publicity, social media marketing, etc. Even asking a law firm you’re considering hiring what % of their lawyers and senior partners are women of color or female will have an impact.
If you want to invest in women founders and founders of color, check out Portfolia.
4. Support women’s art and play/watch women-led and -made films and songs.
Check out this list for inspiration:
20 Feminist Movies That Will Empower You to Be Your Best Self for Women’s History Month
I’m gonna watch “Gloria – In Her Own Words” this month. I may even do a screening in my house with some girlfriends. 🙂
5. Read and buy books from female authors.
A few of my Favorite Spiritual + Feminist Texts:
Cassandra Speaks
We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For: Inner Light in a Time of Darkness
Rise Sister Rise: A Guide to Unleashing the Wise, Wild Woman Within
The Soul Planner
A Radical Awakening (haven’t read this one yet…it’s on my list for 2022! Highly recommend Dr. Shefali’s other books)
Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive
The Heroine’s Journey
Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind, and Spirit
Magdalene Manuscript
Diana Herself
Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, and Opportunity for Black Women in America
You Are A Bad Ass
Untamed
Playing Big
Red Hot And Holy
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman’s Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine
Women, Food & God
A Thousand Mornings: Poems
Broken Open
When The Heart Waits
Journalists, PhD’s and other experts on why women are overwhelmed and how to do less:
Do Less
Burnout
Drop the Ball
Do Nothing
Patriarchy Stress Disorder
Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time
What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood (this one is kind of in a category of its own…if you’re pregnant, a new mom or planning on having kids, it could be your jam)
**Notice if you get a little ‘zing’ of aliveness or an ‘energetic breadcrumb’ from reading any of the titles above, even without knowing what the book is about, that could be a sign you’re meant to read it.
Phew! There is so much inspiration available to us when we look for it.
Women are awesome. Seriously.
Just writing out this list has me all jazzed up. I hope you feel uplifted and inspired too.
May you support all womxn leaders in expanding into the fullness of their being, including you! (if applicable). If you don’t identify as female, may you be a bomb ass ally for womxn everywhere!
Big love,
Vanessa
P.S. If you know a woman who’s ready to break free and explore her power, please forward this to her, and send her HERE to sign up for future blogs. And don’t forget to join me on Instagram (@vanessa.loder) and LinkedIn for more ways to play!!