It's Women's History Month and there is a lot to remember and celebrate. In addition to recognizing all of the amazing women who have achieved incredible milestones, this special month should inspire confidence in each of us to achieve whatever we want to accomplish.
One unifying trait that women history-makers have is confidence - the ability to push beyond and challenge seemingly insurmountable barriers such as naysayers, mistakes, sexism, racism, ageism, limited money and other resources, misguided public policy or simply bad relationships. The lack of confidence can limit one's ability to tackle big and small challenges alike. It can eat away at our spirits and before we know it valuable time has slipped away or we've missed out on an opportunity to inspire confidence in someone else.
I believe that confidence is something gained over time from experience, education and preparation, role models, mentors, and a circle of support that can include friends, family, professional mentors and sponsors, and fellow community volunteers or advocates. Sometimes, even a great poem or quote is all it takes to help you push past a difficult moment in your life. Here is a poem that inspires confidence in me:
I Dwell in Possibility by Emily Dickinson
I dwell in Possibility --
A fairer House than Prose --
More numerous of Windows --
Superior -- for Doors --
Of Chambers as the Cedars --
Impregnable of Eye --
And for an Everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky --
Of Visitors -- the fairest --
For Occupation -- This --
The spreading wide of narrow Hands
To gather Paradise
What or who inspires confidence in you? Join the conversation...
This year the 2011-2012 Editions of The Women's Book's printed directories to resources for women will include a dedicated section on Confidence: Getting It, Keeping It, and Passing It On. The section will feature letters from a select number of women who have great insight to share because of their inspiring stories and an assortment of brief tips and words of encouragement from our readers. The goal is to provide all readers with a source of inspiration all year long. (The directories will be released this fall - stay tuned for more exciting details.)
Take a moment to share some brief words of inspiration for other women who are lacking confidence to achieve a goal or to deal with a difficult issue. We will feature a broad assortment of reader comments online and in print.
Submit your comments by clicking here.
Thanks for your continued interest and readership. Let's stay connected.
TaKeysha Sheppard Cheney, CEO & Publisher, The Women's Book
