Through their video, “If Cinderella were a Guy,” Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo (of Rebelgirls.co) highlight the fact that women are impacted by misogyny as early as childhood
Which, to summarise a previous post, is because of:
A lack of representation of well-rounded female main characters in children's books and TV shows
Linear representations of main female characters (e.g. as damsels in need of rescue by men)
This then gives way to confidence issues by the time most girls reach primary or elementary school
(More so than boys)
Which manifests into issues such as imposter syndrome by the time that these girls become women
According to Cate Luzio’s Forbes article, “A Missing Factor in Women’s Leadership: Confidence“:
“The constant second guessing and self-reflection on what we [as women] can or cannot do and our fear of self-promotion has a significant impact on our ability to advance our careers”
She also adds that “although there are various factors missing in women’s leadership, [she] would argue that confidence is one of the most pressing”
One of the things that I love about Mahlah and her 4 sisters (Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah), though, is their show of confidence
For example, Numbers 27:3-4 shows the ladies questioning Moses and the elders present with him by saying:
“Our father died in the wilderness…Why should [his] name be removed from among his family because he had no son?”
In other words-
Instead of giving into imposter syndrome by asking “why me?”
(as in “who am I to deserve an inheritance?”)
They asked “why not me?”
And that’s the same thing that I want you to think about today, sis.
When entering into new arenas and becoming more visible, it can be easy to second-guess yourself and feel intimidated
Because you don’t think that you’re qualified, worthy or whatever else enough
Can you relate, sis? Swipe and press play (below) to eaves drop on the advice that I voice noted my mentee and little sister in South Africa when she expressed that she was feeling some imposter syndrome in her new (elevated) position