I do not label myself as a Republican, nor a Democrat. But I am a proud woman, moreover, a woman with a future to think about. I refuse to let that future be defined by the screaming internet, devastated over Donald Trump’s win and Hillary Clinton’s loss in the election. And I get it. But I’m tired of all the noise.
The bickering, kicking and screaming has prevented us from what’s most important now: taking action and moving forward. This is our life we’re talking about. We are women, we are STRONG, and we can take control of our future. But if we continue preventing each other from doing so, we’ll never get there. This is the reality.
And if we don’t give the Trump women a chance to right the wrongs of the president-elect, what does that say about us?
At Glamour‘s Women of the Year 2016, I spoke with the brilliant Ketlie Knight, who helps shed light on what women can individually do in day-to-day life to make this future ours. Additionally, I asked Keltie: Can Trump and/or the women of his family, particularly Melania and Ivanka, do or say anything to get American women in their corner?
Keltie explains that whether or not you agree with Trump, it’s a positive move to give his female family members the benefit of the doubt.
“You have to give the girls a chance to prove they can do something great.”
As Keltie points out, we didn’t write Michelle Obama off right away. How would it be fair to do so with the Trump women solely because of their father/husband? “We didn’t understand how epic [Michelle Obama] was gonna be, we didn’t know her,” Keltie says.
Yes, the cards are dealt. But shaking your head at Ivanka and Melania not only makes you hypocritical and stubborn, but hinders women’s bright future.
Refusing to root for these women only reflects the larger, horrifying problem happening in everyday life.
Whether you choose to believe it or not, women are still catty and competitive (and not in the productive way). My clothes were recently shamed by a colleague, while on the job. My best friend Alexa constantly gets discouraged when her female co-workers exclude her, whispering to each other while looking at her with judging eyes. It’s really fucking sad. As far as women have come, we have ways to go. And we better accelerate that process, because right now, all we have is each other.
If we don’t come together to act as the cohesive backbone for the future of our safe and happy lives, who will?
“We need to be girls’ girls,” says Ketlie. “It’s hard out here for a girl, we have to inspire each other.” Of course, jealousy and competitiveness will distract us, so it’s easier said than done. But it’s in your power, right now, moving forward, to end it here.
If you find yourself judging a girl, whether it be one of the Trumps or even a co-worker, stop yourself. Because the more you judge and refuse to cheer another woman on, the more you prevent yourself from thriving and living the future of your dreams.
Keltie and I end our discussion with the creation of the hashtag #GetEmGirls. Think of it as your mantra. It’s a way to spread this positive movement, root each other on (even when it’s hard), and thrive. This is the beginning for women, if you’re brave enough to see it that way.
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