I am dialectic: I see the light at the end of every tunnel. Some opinions will share that, it’s quite elusive; but well, I’m a woman, period! Women are all shades of power, emotions, talent, bravery, and even weakness. But today’s woman, there’s no match.
In my days as a girl, I have seen women fail, I’ve seen even more vulnerable, and witnessed a handful win. Now I’m a woman, and what I see is antithetic – the revolution of womanhood has far surpassed a girl’s inadequate memories of what womanism embodied; experiences and hopes of what every girl child could imagine. Again, today, we see power, we see forcefulness, emblematic leadership, and greater heights; thus far, the story of celebrating women.
Permit me to share with as many as I can the voices and words of women who have made and are history.
The ‘New Kind’ of woman
Who is the ‘New kind’ of a woman? The woman is everything and anything she wants to be – here’s to them. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. In my girlhood, women were not much what of inspired us and what we dreamt of becoming. Our mothers were not the she-powers we envisioned ourselves to be in the future. We saw in them many of the things we wished and hoped better for. The story is nonetheless progressive. Absolutely no words can fit who the new kind of woman is. As Michelle Obama shared: “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish”.
The year 2020 and the few months into 2021 has been my best year of the woman. I’ve seen, read, and watched women rise to become some of the most powerful faces of the world’s biggest organizations and countries. It’s surreal – the new kind of woman is the twenty-first-century woman who is nonpareil to any force. She’s the woman next door, singlehandedly raising her children; the young woman redefining the scopes of womanhood – fighting for equality and equity without limits, the shes building multimillion businesses, the older generations who through decades and fearlessness fought ages of disparity, unlevel opportunities to set the pace many women today are singing loud praises to. The new kind of woman is she reading this article, and enlightened she can be anything – as powerful as she could imagine. She’s indefinable!
“I have sometimes thought that a woman’s nature is like a great house full of rooms: there is the hall, through which everyone passes going in and out; the drawing-room, where one receives formal visits; the sitting-room, where the members of the family come and go as they like; but beyond that, far beyond, are other rooms – the handles of whose doors perhaps are never turned; no one knows the way to them, no one knows whither they lead; and in the innermost room, the holy of holies, the soul sits alone and waits for a footstep that never comes.” – quite unusual, very strong and rare words; Edith Wharton described what a woman is in other ways.
It’s indisputable the woman is full of mystery, but the woman is powerful beyond the boundaries they have positioned for themselves. A woman is a full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform. They’re not doing anything less than that – women are the heroic evidence of powerfulness, even in the beginning of biblical creation.
Women defying the status quo
The suffragettes started over a century ago, and as of today the fight for a fair share and deserving women’s rights, equality, and equity continue. The importance of the celebration marks the strong suit of other women who kept the beam and passed on the baton to the many women winning today. It’s momentous to remind us all – men and women – of how far we have come and still have to go as we celebrate International Women’s Day.
“Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie. Here are some local women who have in the long ages made the fight for women’s celebration meaningful and deserving applause for the species, irrespective of their fears and being misunderstood.
Many of my favourites: Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings – the former first lady of the 4th republic of Ghana, a revolutionist and founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement; Ama Ata Aidoo is one of the most celebrated African writers, poets, and playwrights; Her Ladyship (Mrs.) Georgina Theodora Wood, the 12th and first woman Chief Justice of Ghana; Professor Judge Akua Kuenyehia, a former judge at the International Criminal Court; and Madam Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo, Speaker of Parliament from 2009 to 2013, to list a few.
The role of undoubted forces to reckon with have not less contributed to defining power, intellectualism, and influence the role of women of all colours, sizes and faith, and is playing globally. Let’s also recognize the new generation of women who are also making history right before our eyes:
More and more women are realizing that only collective strength and action will allow us to be free to fight for the kind of society that meets basic human needs.
Women in power
None of us expect to be in smooth water all our days. To reiterate Coretta Scott King’s words: “Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul”. Sheryl Sandberg couldn’t have said better when she cited that we need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.
The world has some powerful women presidents today, incredible shes at the forefront of legislature-making and influencing the laws of their countries; and yes, the world can’t forget the moment America, the world’s most powerful country, swore in its first woman vice president, Kamala Harris. It was a moment long awaited and dreamed of by many.
“The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race?” That day is today, the 8th of March – International Women’s Day.
Women in business
Around the world there are countless examples of women rising, taking leadership, taking their destiny into their own hands, inspiring all of us. Diversity in the workplace is essential, because homogeneity is kryptonite for innovation – a shift of power and resources into the hands of women continues to drive change and impact economic growth.
Some women are building enterprises from scratch and empowering other women into self-sufficiency and independence. So many women have gone through the struggles to become successful women in business, and many more like myself are no exception; carrying on without a leap their bequests.
To inspire you with Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s words “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception”. Are you woman enough? Go and make your mark wherever you dream it. “I am a woman, Phenomenally, Phenomenal woman That’s me.” – Maya Angelou
Women are leaders everywhere you look—from the CEO who runs a leading company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household.
In my opinion, the most exciting potential of women’s ability resides in the possibility of creating their identity – basing the identity on self-conviction that they can be, and will be, rather than the totality of the battle about their identities. Maybe it just boils down to: we’re just women who are really into their careers, exhibiting our innate gifts, and so obsessed with the craft of our work.
We need to reshape our perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead
Phenomenal women have run in the fight for women’s equality since the day of the Beijing women’s conference, and more will continue to make their voice heard and actions felt without relying on men’s chivalry to give it to them.
And to the men who acknowledge female power and influence, attest to it, and accept it, you’re a contributing factor to defining who the woman is in today’s world. Together, men and women can build a fair, equal and multifarious world for all.
As in Barack Obama’s words in his book The Audacity of Hope: “Most people who meet my wife quickly conclude that she is remarkable. They are right about this. She is smart, funny, and thoroughly charming. Often, after hearing her speak at some function or working with her on a project, people will approach me and say something to the effect of, “You know, I think the world of you, Barack; but your wife, wow!
“Another world is not only possible; she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” – Arundhati Roy.
Happy International Women’s Day!
>>>The writer is a business development consultant and writer. She’s the founder and CEO of Commec Group LLC, formerly, Commec Ghana Ltd, a business development company. Business activities of Commec Group focus on varied business areas and do business in industries such as consulting, business development, publishing, and marketing.
Harmony is a three times awardee by the CEO Global South Africa as Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business & Government 2016 Awards finalists, 2017 Regional winner – Ghana and 2018 and 2019 Regional and Country winner for Best SME in Ghana. Awarded the best female-owned corporate marketing company in Ghana by the MEA – Awards 2016 (Middle East Awards) and listed100 Most Outstanding Women Entrepreneurs 2017 – Ghana, by TSN – Women-Rising.
She is also a YALI 2015 alumni (A president Obama – Young African Leaders Initiative, Regional Center West -Africa). For her hard work and achievements towards becoming a leading entrepreneur, and her successes as a business consultant and entrepreneur, she was nominated as a New Leader and member of The Crans De Montana Forum for Tomorrow Leaders. (A Swiss-based Organization) for young global leaders and among other awards and nominations.
For business inquiries, consulting, engagements, and any other information, please send an email to [email protected] Or visit www.commec.group /Phone: +233 593158837 / 265805201
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