Investing In Women Heals Communities

The history of women is filled with champions who would never consider that title as a part of their legacy. They just showed up, they invested time and energy into what needed justice and light and in doing so empowered generations and communities. Legacies last.

It is indeed a rare experience to see what can occur when you surround yourself with women that will champion you and mention your name in a room full of opportunities. Recently it has been my honor to share and participate in a community of women whose main goal is to champion each other.

Iron sharpens iron. Passion ignites passion. And, in these beautiful engagements real transformation can happen. There is something incredibly powerful when women can champion other women from a place of trauma and authenticity. From this common ground of understanding because of similar lived experience, we can step in to be the person we wished we had. No competition, no manipulation, no selfish scrambles for personal gain, no agendas – truly championing each other in our gifting and passion.

The world is filled with people who climb to their proverbial top by tearing others down, destroying reputations, and selfish ambition. To witness a group of successful businesswomen and young entrepreneurs gathering and showing up for each other with pure admiration and applause for them to succeed is inspirational. Women showing up for each other.

When intentional investment in women happens, entire communities heal. Women most often are the center points that influence change and reinvest back into their families and community. Investing in women survivors of abuse, sexual exploitation, and conflict creates a transformative, "ripple effect" that heals and strengthens entire communities. When we invest in each other, the investment far exceeds what we can do alone. Transformed women understanding and appreciating the power and effect of healing for them, creates a legacy of healing. Healed women show up! Healed women understand the dynamic of being there to encourage someone who is just behind them on the same path, showing them, it is possible to heal, follow in my footsteps.

At Xquisite, when I have the privilege of seeing the women and youth we serve begin to thrive and see their value and purpose my passion is fueled. The women who show up, who work hard for their freedom and healing, and in turn inspire strength for others to be encouraged is remarkable.  My investment into these “beautiful diamonds” is to create a safe community to heal, without shame or competition and to truly allow them to experience the power we can champion in each other.  Often the women we serve have been told they have no worth, and as a result they become competitive and jealous of others, due to the manipulation of an abuser creating such toxic environments to keep them controlled.  It is a slow process to extend love and grace without conditions to bring survivors to a place to experience that when one person wins, we all win. Celebrating each other creates the atmosphere of healing from deep wounds and healthy community can become a reality that for most seemed unattainable. The power of being the person you wish you had in your own life will propel us forward for our own mark in history.

Surrounding ourselves with people who, will say our name for that opportunity with truth and admiration for them to thrive is lifechanging! If, we could truly grasp the power of being the person to champion another and be for them, what we wish had been there for us, true transformation of family and communities would flourish! That legacy lasts. That woman makes her mark in history, and while many may never know her name, only history will be able to quantify her impact. Diamond facets extend brilliance when exposed to light far beyond what could be imagined.

Show up. Champion each other. Invest in healing. From this place we can watch and smile at the legacy that emerges because when one person heals and begins to thrive, whole communities become strengthened and healed.