This hash-tag has gained prominence lately in the political realm to denote women who are standing up to blatant sexism in the halls of Congress and persisting despite attempts by colleagues to silence them on the floor and in various hearings. Most notably it has been applied to Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, the former after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used the phrase to explain why he took action against her. Gleefully, it has been co-opted by feminists everywhere and used as a rallying cry. This post is not going to be about politics though, despite the fact that so much is happening right now. That’s not my gig.
The phrase came to mind this morning as I was thinking about what myself and some of my coaching clients and friends have overcome. Perhaps you can identify...
When I was writing my book Being Single, With Cancer I interviewed a number of single cancer survivors, many of whom had started organizations to serve populations of people like themselves in some way. I was talking with a social worker one day who pointed out to me that most of the organizations we were most familiar with serving the young adult cancer community had been started by single people. Wow! I was shocked I hadn’t realized that before.
Many of us have a desire to contribute in a significant way, to do our part in “saving the world.” Getting cancer three times helped me realize a pattern of putting everyone and everything ahead of myself. I thought if I could just serve enough, help enough, contribute enough, I would make the world a better place and receive more love, recognit...