Hello Queen,

Just as we navigate through different seasons of friendships, our journey through womanhood demands a unique kind of courage and resilience. There’s a certain transformation that occurs as we transition through the phases of being mothers, wives, entrepreneurs, and businesswomen. It’s an evolution that is often overlooked, yet is powerful: the art of self-advocacy.

Self-advocacy is more than just speaking up for ourselves. It’s about understanding our worth, recognizing our needs, and asserting them confidently in a world that often tries to dictate how we should act, feel, and think. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your voice seemed lost in the crowd? Or felt that your needs and aspirations took a backseat to those of others? It’s a common narrative, but one that we have the power to rewrite.

In the professional realm, women are frequently encouraged to be team players, sometimes at the expense of their own progress. But what happens when we stand up for our ideas, ask for that promotion, or demand fair compensation? We break the glass ceilings of limitation and set a new standard not just for ourselves, but for the women who will follow.

In our personal lives, self-advocacy takes a different but equally significant form. It means setting boundaries in relationships, saying no to tasks that don’t align with our values, and yes to opportunities that ignite our passions. It’s about nurturing our mental and emotional wellbeing, and not just being seen, but being understood and valued for who we truly are.

Yet, this journey isn’t without its challenges. There are times when advocating for ourselves can feel like swimming against the tide. It may strain relationships, both personal and professional. Some may perceive our newfound assertiveness as rebellion or non-conformity. But remember, Queen, the discomfort of growth is far more rewarding than the stagnancy of compliance.

The power of self-advocacy lies in its ability to transform not only our own lives but to also inspire those around us. When one woman finds her voice, she inadvertently gives permission to others to find theirs. It’s a ripple effect of empowerment, a testament to the strength that lies in our collective sisterhood.

So, let’s embrace this power. Let’s teach our daughters, our friends, our colleagues that their voices matter. That their dreams, their goals, their aspirations are valid and achievable. Let’s remind each other that self-advocacy is not selfishness; it’s a form of self-respect.

As we continue to evolve and grow through the different seasons of our lives, let’s hold onto this truth: our ability to advocate for ourselves is one of the most significant gifts we can give to ourselves and to each other.

Remember, your voice is your superpower.

Vonna Matthews, with over a decade of experience in marketing and branding for nonprofits and small businesses, is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and holds an MBA in Marketing from Dallas Baptist University. Balancing her roles as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, she founded the lifestyle brand Bottles, Bibs & Pumps to support “mompreneurs,” and launched CEOMOM Magazine in 2016 and CEOKID Magazine in 2018 to celebrate and provide resources for women and kid entrepreneurs. Passionate about philanthropy and change through faith and service, her initial foray into this world was with Joni and Friends Disability Outreach and included mission trips to Cuba. In 2017, she established For Her Media to leverage her entrepreneurial skills for causes benefiting women.