Why community is a superpower for women

We were never meant to navigate this journey alone. Remember the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie Bradshaw confesses her insecurities about love and relationships to her close circle of girlfriends? In that heartfelt conversation, surrounded by laughter and understanding, Carrie finds a safe haven to express her vulnerabilities. This scene beautifully captures the essence of what women's spaces have historically offered: a refuge where we can be heard, understood, and empowered. 💫 As women in our late 20s, early 30’s and beyond, we navigate a complex landscape. Dating, marriage, fertility, career aspirations, self-care – the list goes on. Facing these challenges head-on can feel like a lonely tightrope walk. A "safe and brave space" where vulnerability isn't a weakness, but a strength. A space where you can share your joys, anxieties, and everything in between, knowing you'll be met with understanding and support, not judgment. ✨ This space might be a small, intimate group of women, a mix of peers who are figuring it out alongside you and people who have walked the path before. It could be professional, focusing on navigating career hurdles, or personal, delving into the intricacies of relationships and self-discovery. The beauty lies in the "collective journey". We learn from each other's triumphs and stumbles, fostering a sense of belonging and reminding ourselves that we're not alone. We find solace in shared experiences, gain new perspectives, and discover the strength that lies within our community. Creating this space isn't about having all the answers or pretending to be perfect. It's about "embracing the messy journey" together, with honesty, empathy, and a genuine desire to uplift one another. It's about remembering the power of sisterhood, a force that has sustained women for generations. For me personally, Podium has become that space (even as a Founder who is building it). It's a space where I've felt understood, supported, and even challenged (in the best way possible) to step outside my comfort zone. It's a testament to the power of community, a space where we, as women, can truly thrive together. I encourage you to seek out safe and brave spaces, whether online or in your local community. We were never meant to navigate this journey alone. #Community #FemaleFriendships #IWD2024 #CollectiveJourney

The power of community is often so undervalued. → Most mental health treatment is individualised, often exacerbating the feeling of being alone. → Self-care often focuses on what we can do as an individual rather than collectively. → Women throughout society are often pitted against each other. However, this week we have seen the incredible power of community in response to Innovate UK reducing its number of awards for women from 50 to 25* despite over 1,400 women investing countless hours in their applications. For context, about 70 hours of work went into our application. *Thankfully, Innovate UK has since rectified this decision, thanks to a community of women founders and allies who spoke out When I initially read that The Female Mental Health Collective was unsuccessful I was gutted for our community. But when I read that only 25 awards were given I was angry for female founders. However, I initially let the shame of not winning the award silence me. I wasn't brave enough, on my own, to call Innovate UK out. I'm really grateful that one woman (Emma Jarvis) did, and that I and many others were able to then use our voices to bring about change. Of course, all of this has had me reflecting on The Female Mental Health Collective and why we are working so hard to build a community of and for women. I know that dealing with anything on our own only strengthens shame, and exacerbates feelings of being different. I also know that being able to share our experiences, offer support and advice, being able to advocate for others is so empowering. That is why The Female Mental Health Collective is more than just a resource for mental health information—it’s a community led and powered by women. One piece of feedback on our Innovate UK application questioned why women needed The Female Mental Health Collective when they already had the NHS website for information. 🤯 ... because knowledge without community is not the same! 🧠✨ Dr Gracie x

Women change the world when they gather. This isn't a new idea—quite the opposite. Women have been gathering (in circles, in communities, in rituals) since pre-history. By uniting, women have done incredible things like leading the suffrage movement that secured voting rights, working together as the Harvard Computers to map the stars and lay the foundation for modern astronomy, and pioneering grassroots environmental efforts like the Chipko movement in India. These collective actions have shifted the course of history. So, when we take on leadership positions, why do we try to go it alone? I've noticed this in friends, in women I admire, and in myself. Corporate cultures often celebrate solo success over team collaboration. According to the McKinsey & Company 2024 Women in the Workplace Report, only 1 in 4 companies fully implement practices that de-bias performance reviews, which is crucial for fostering inclusive team success over individual competition. This focus on solo achievements can leave women feeling isolated in their leadership roles, despite being inherently collaborative. "It's lonely at the top," they say. You know what? I reject that. There’s a community at the top, and I am so grateful that they found me. Journey To Lead, Pattie Sellers, Nina Easton, Julie Schlosser - thank you 🙏 Let's redefine leadership not as a peak to be scaled alone, but as a collective summit where we uplift each other. Because when women gather, we don’t just break ceilings—we change the landscape entirely.

Growing up in the church, I witnessed the positive impact of having support beyond immediate family. I saw how my mom and other women looked after each other—whether it was checking in on someone who was sick or preparing meals. This shared responsibility made a significant difference in their lives. In my own journey, I’ve found similar strength through a small but powerful group of girlfriends. They’ve been a safe, affirming space for me, especially during the stresses of entrepreneurship or while navigating racism in corporate America. Unfortunately, not every woman of color has access to this type of support. Our recent study at Health In Her HUE reveals there is a correlation between community connection and a more positive healthcare experience. That’s why I’m so excited about what we’ve built at Health In Her HUE. We are making community-centered care accessible to all women of color so they too can experience the strength and healing that comes from community. One of our core beliefs as a company is that care is done better in community than in isolation. That belief is inspired by a quote from one of my favorite writers, bell hooks, “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation." You can learn more about our research and download the full white paper here: https://lnkd.in/ecqw6rb9. Or you can view the slide deck here: https://lnkd.in/erCVR39m. #BlackWomensHealth #HealthEquity #EquitableCare