Stronger Together

The onset and presence of COVID-19 tested the strength, leadership, and resilience of women in 2020. However, we learned that collaboration is an imperative part of our advancement. We embraced new paths, pushed against setbacks, cried under our breath, and watched the world look on in wonderment as social, racial and ethnic, economic, and political pre-existing problems emerged to tipping points. We saw inequalities raised their heads, and violence against our fellow sisters spiked. At the same time, we saw women rising from the ashes and hilltops of their experiences to hold up the hands of women and girls left behind. Women they have never met. Women answered the call during COVID-19 as they have been doing decades before, and the future is a bit brighter because women are standing at the center. More and more women are answering the call to embrace their power, support their sisters, realizing that we were born for such a time as this. Together we can stop economies; together, we can transform nations, together our vote counts, and together our voices are powerful. Our space is not on the sidelines nor at the back; our space is at the center, but we cannot get there alone. We live in unprecedented times, and the rapid speed of technological advancements is creating new social, economic, and political realities that impact women worldwide. It is as we come together, honor each other, push each other to advance. Hold space for each other, invest in each other, and celebrate each other's journey. We will be able to authentically create a sustainable future for women to rise and own the future because the future is indeed female. However, it can only be female if we work together and hold each other's hands on the journey.