Celebrate Women’s History Month: Knowing Your History Is Key
Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead, at a recent Power Up Conference.
It’s Women’s History Month, a time of the year to acknowledge all that women have contributed to advance society and change the world.
Being familiar with your history is the first of the nine power tools created by Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead, and part of the 9 Power Tools To Advance Your Career Online Course. It tops the list because it is the foundation of your life and career: “Know Your History: And you can create the future of your choice.”
“It’s #WomensHistoryMonth, a time of the year to acknowledge all that women have contributed to advance society and change the world. ”
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Acknowledging what you have experienced, including challenges, successes, mistakes, reroutings and triumphs helps you have a more clear understanding of your authentic self so that you can not only acknowledge the past, but move forward effectively.
At a time when true American history is being denied—and history books banned—it is critical to counter that initiative with truth.
In her book, No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change The Way We Think About Power, Feldt elaborates on the importance of being familiar with your own past. She writes, “I wanted to learn more: to understand what internalized values, assumptions and beliefs about ourselves as women haul around, like worthless cargo, hindering the full attainment of our potential as leaders and doers—what intimate personal and cultural constructs of power the silent sirens that bind not only our political intentions, but our work lives and even our love lives.”
“At a time when true American history is being denied—and history books banned—it is critical to counter that initiative with truth. #bannedbooks”
Take The Lead recently celebrated 10 years of history-making courses, curriculum, dedicated programs and events. In that time, Take The Lead has offered programs for more than 5,000 participants and events, with more than 1.5 million people reached. In that time, women’s leadership increased from 18 to 35 percent.
Acknowledging the history of what you have contributed and changed is necessary.
”History, which was a popular discipline in the past, is now one of the marginalized subjects in schools, while many people today also pay little attention to the events which occurred in their past lives,” according to a 2023 study.
Read more from Gloria Feldt on the importance of history
“The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates ‘Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.’ The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions,” according to the National Women’s History Alliance.
“In her book, #NoExcuses, @GloriaFeldt elaborates on the importance of being familiar with your own past. #womenleaders”
The U.S. Army encouraged army drill sergeants identifying as female to share their personal stories in honor of Women’s History Month, according to DVIDS Hub.
DSL Darleneanne Roque writes, “You must stay true to what you believe in. There will be many variables that will try and sway you, but if you continue to do the right thing, you’ll never regret your next position in life.”
Read more from Gloria Feldt on women’s history
Recently many celebrities have shared their health struggles in order to destigmatize issues and educate.
“Recently many celebrities have shared their health struggles in order to destigmatize issues and educate. #mentalhealth ”
In her new documentary, “Where Is Wendy Williams?”, the talk show host reveals she struggles with dementia.
According to the Washington Post, “Williams’s care team gave a startling update on those health challenges, announcing that she was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) last year. She underwent medical tests amid widespread speculation about her condition, ‘particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions,’ a news release stated.”
According to CBS News, "We know that celebrities sharing their experiences is one way to improve knowledge and general education on specific health conditions," says Dr. Adiele Hoffman, a general practitioner and medical adviser at the women's health app Flo. "Improving awareness can also influence positive health behaviors like seeking help from professionals and accessing reliable sources of information. Mental health disclosures can also help counter false beliefs around conditions and minimize stereotypes,” Hoffman adds.
“Acknowledging what you have experienced helps you have a more clear understanding of your #authenticself so that you can move forward effectively. #herstory”
Add to the list of celebrities disclosing their personal stories and histories are Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Ed Sheeran, Toni Braxton and Meghan Trainor.
Read more in Take The Lead on Women’s History Month
“While there isn't a huge amount of medical evidence around celebrity disclosures, mental health research has shown there can be an impact. In a 2022 analysis, for example, researchers found celebrity disclosures about mental health can lead to reduced stigma and better acceptance of people with mental health conditions,” CBS reports.
As Feldt offers, knowing your own history—what you have done and where you have been—is an integral part of charting your future. If you are honest with yourself about your past, then you can be assured mapping what is ahead for you in your life and career will be easier.
“As @GloriaFeldt offers, knowing your own history—what you have done and where you have been—is an integral part of charting your future. #powertool”
Leadership Takeaway of The Week:
“You must stay true to what you believe in. There will be many variables that will try and sway you, but if you continue to do the right thing, you’ll never regret your next position in life.”
U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Lieutenant Darleneanne Roque
