Intentionality

Someone recently mentioned to a friend of mine that I’m “really into women’s empowerment.” Looking back at some of my online posts and engagement, I realize that I’ve built a personal brand around this without intending to do so. And yes, I admit— I am really into women’s empowerment.

I’m living it every day— in good situations and bad.

I am a young, professional woman, who recently returned to her Southern roots in Arkansas from the San Francisco Bay Area. I am lucky to have traveled and learned to recognize the intrinsic bias that exists day-to-day — in myself and in others.

I’m often the youngest person in the room— the only woman— surrounded by older white men in suits. I do not dislike these men; I dislike the system, and I dislike their ignorance around the biases they have and the inevitable attraction they (and we) have toward those who look and act the same. We must be aware and learn to identify these biases so that we can intentionally create more diverse spaces and communities.

I want to be a part of organizations that intentionally recognize the leadership skills and talents of women, young people, and minorities. As a young, professional woman myself, this is important to me. I will continue to invest my time, my money, and my service into organizations that are honest and active with these types of intentions and put real plans together to be more representative of the community. This is the change I want to see in the world.

I want to help others be more intentional in these efforts. And, I plan to.