The legend of Cassandra speaks of a princess from the ancient city of Troy who was cursed by a Greek god so that she would have the gift of intuitive insights but that nobody would believe her.
Does this sound familiar?
I hear different versions of Cassandra's story from my clients every day - especially from women who feel shut down and frustrated in the workplace.
They are smart, wise, and capable. And still, their messages often fall on deaf ears.
I know it's 2021 and women have certainly come a long way.
And still.
For the most part, women's voices are bouncing around the halls of a world built by men.
It's nobody's fault. It's just how things have been. So now what? How do we usher forth a new reality where all voices truly matter?
As we celebrate International Women's Day 2021, I invite you to uplift the voices of the women in your life - at work, at home, on social media... Join the Yes You Can Speak community all month long as we support one another to 'EmpowerHerVoice.'
If you're a woman, make an extra effort to support another woman on your team at work. If you're a man, stretch yourself to listen with greater attention and acknowledgment when women are speaking.
I'm sure you'll also think of your own ways to expand your awareness of women's voices. My invitation is to make March the time to take a stand for change. If you're posting on social or looking for encouragement, follow me on Instagram and use the hashtag #EmpowerHerVoice.
Because sadly, without women's voices, we hear only half of the human story, and everyone feels the loss.
It hit home for me at a new level after coming across this illuminating 2020 book by Elizabeth Lesser. 'Cassandra Speaks: When Women Are the Storytellers, the Human Story Changes.'
Well, Lesser tells us that Princess Cassandra was ultimately driven mad by being shut down when she spoke the truth. There are several parallels today but women feeling powerless and unheard in the workplace creates a downward spiral of self-doubt, frustration, low self-esteem and anxiety. Ugh -:)
But there is a solution. The change begins with us, taking the lead to EmpowerHerVoice!
#empowerhervoice #Internationalwomensday #yesyoucanspeak #cassandraspeaks