Aging with Grace

Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.

Serena Williams

I was writing to a friend, yesterday, about the fact that men have it figured out when it comes to supporting each other. We all know about, “The Good Old Boys Club”. Women, on the other hand, seem to struggle with promoting one another. A Harvard study showed that male managers promoted men over women. Women managers, on the other hand, promoted men and women equally. I am not suggesting woman should have preferential treatment. I do believe it’s an interesting look at different points of view.

I have been fortunate in both my professional and personal life to be surrounded by many helpful, supportive women and I do my best to do the same for others. Whether it’s patronizing women owned businesses, writing a note of encouragement or just being there to listen, I feel like it’s the least we can do for each other. Just caring can go a long way to making a difference in someone else’s life.

In the age of Facebook and a multitude of other social networking sites, girls and women are often faced with unrealistically high standards to live up to. We are given an unrealistic view of others perfect lives and find we can’t measure up. The truth is, no one can. What we view is fiction, not reality.

Maya Angelou wrote,”I’m a feminist. I’ve been a female for a long time now. It’d be stupid not to be on my own side.” Maybe, as women, we could try to be on each other’s side.