She Said it First
What the women around us have to say
This week, I had a conversation with the woman who has shaped my worldview: my mom.
We talked about living as a woman in a world that oftentimes misunderstands us. And she reminded me that power can be so many different things; we just need to take hold of it.
Her Words: A Conversation With My Mom
What have you learned about being a woman? “Vulnerability. It’s the best and the worst part of womanhood. It’s a superpower — it gives you instincts, connection, intuition — but it also gets treated like a weakness.” If you could go back, what would you do differently? “If I had embraced vulnerability earlier instead of trying to hide it, I would’ve made very different choices. We’re taught that strength means hardness. But vulnerability is kind of a superpower that helps you be more resilient. Like a willow branch — it’s more flexible and can withstand more than a heavy oak tree.” What’s the biggest challenge you think women face? “Fear. Fear is the biggest thing women battle. Fear of growing older, fear of not being enough, fear of someone cheating on you, fear of not being the smartest person in the room or taken seriously.” How do we move through that fear? “Instead of rejecting fear, we feed it. We think it protects us — but it holds us back. Women need to trust their instincts with the confidence of a middle-aged white man.” When did you start identifying as a feminist? “I probably decided I was a feminist while you were in kindergarten — right before I left your father. It wasn’t about a label — it was about asking: What kind of life do I want for myself, and for my daughter?”
And something my mom said that I can’t get over:
“In My Big Fat Greek Wedding, there’s a part where the father says, ‘I’m the head of the household’… and the wife says, ‘Well, I am the neck, and I am the neck that turns the head.’ Yes, women have the real power.”
The Fight This Week: Key News & Policies Impacting Women
March 30 to April 3, 2025
Supreme Court Considers States’ Authority to Defund Planned Parenthood
The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing whether states can block Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood. This South Carolina case could affect low-income patients' access to healthcare services, including cancer screenings and contraception.
Alabama Barred from Prosecuting Abortion Travel Assistance
A federal judge ruled Alabama cannot prosecute those assisting residents in traveling for abortions. This supports constitutional rights to travel and free speech, marking a significant win for reproductive rights advocates.
FDA Reviews Hair Relaxer Cancer Risks
Following lawsuits connecting chemical hair relaxers to uterine cancer, the FDA is considering new safety regulations, driven by years of advocacy from Black women.
Ask a woman in your life a question you’ve never asked before. Something real. Something open-ended. Write down her answer, and you can reflect on it one day.
“Women need to trust their instincts with the confidence of a middle-aged white man.”