Women don't need empowerment.

I’m not a “cancel culture” fan, but if there is a term we should irradicate, it is the phrase “women’s empowerment.”

Have you ever thought about how this phrase got into common use? What does it mean? And what message are we sending when we use it I believe that women have blindly bought into the narrative, never analyzing whether or not it is at all helpful to our cause.

Of course, I’m talking about the FREE world. I am aware that there are countries where women have little or no power (Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Pakistan, etc.) And I can imagine some of you arguing, “well, men had power long before women did,” and “men still hold more positions of authority,” and “we still live in a male-dominated world.” If you believe those things are true—NO, especially if those things are true, read on as to why I frown on the phrase.

As a journalism major and former editor, I take great interest and sometimes amusement in the meaning of words. So, I started giving scrutiny to the word “empower.”

Oxford Dictionary:

• empower somebody (to do something) (formal) to give someone the power or authority to do something.

• empower somebody (to do something) to give someone more control over their own life or the situation they are in.

Looking at the definition, who the heck thought this was a feminist statement? I began to envision a group of men sitting around a table somewhere, decades ago. One of them says, “I have an idea. Let’s start spreading the narrative that men have all the power, and women need us to give it to them!” And another says, “Genius! We could even get THEM saying it about themselves!”

Look, I’m not a man-hater. It just as likely could have been a group of insecure mean girls, trying to make sure everyone understood that they alone held the POWER. The rest of us lowly females did not, but they were so generous they were going to share some of this illusive ability.

Women’s empowerment. Empowering women.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually believe this is what people mean or even think about when they use the term. But let us think about the unconscious message being sent:

“You have no power.” Or “You have less power . . . because you are a woman.”

However much or little power women in general or individually hold in any given arena, we are sending the message that they don’t possess it. What does it say to our girls and young women? That they have no power unless someone offers to help them acquire it.

When have you ever heard someone talk about male empowerment? How is it by virtue of a single chromosome men have their own power, and women need it to be bestowed upon them?

Our power comes from within. If you, like me, are a person of faith, you believe that it comes from GOD. Whether or not we realize it or choose to use is another story.

NOW, in order to be aware, fully access, and use that God-given power, there are other services we may need from other:

• A woman may need HELP. As is the case with persons of any gender, occasionally a woman may find herself in need of EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, FINANCIAL BACKING, or even PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE.

• If she’s doubting herself, then give her ENCOURAGEMENT.

• When she’s finding it difficult to take the next step, MOTIVATION might get her moving.

• If she feels a lack of purpose or direction, then INSPIRATION could change the course.

• She might need INSTRUCTION, if she’s attempting something new.

It’s true: People need people. Women need others no more or less so than men. So, claim any or all of the above. Ask for help, encouragement, inspiration, motivation. Do whatever you need to do to fully own and step into your God-given power!

We don’t need anyone to give us power, authority, or permission. We have the power. We have the authority. And we don’t need permission.

XOXOX