empowHER 2021 Summit Reflection

On a cloudy fall morning, Girl Up McMaster virtually gathered for our Second Annual empowHER Summit.

This year, there were four outstanding speakers, each sharing their own lived experiences and unique perspectives with us. Hearing from inspiring women in diverse fields helped instil within me pride to be a woman and courage to stand up for causes that I am passionate about. Amidst the pandemic and various social justice issues, it can feel that we as individuals do not have enough of a power to make change in the world. You might feel hopeless and afraid – I know I certainly did. That being said, the speakers from the summit helped me challenge these views and empowered me to be changemaker.

Here are 4 lessons that I learned from each of the empowHER Summit 2021 speakers. I hope they inspire you like they have inspired me.

1. If people don’t support you, they’re showing they’re limits, not yours

Samra Zafar opened the event for us, captivating in her story of resiliency and strength. From being a national best-selling author to a medical student, Samra has shown us that no goal is too big to accomplish. As women we are often told to lower our expectations and to cage our dreams. If I had a dollar for every comment that I have heard or seen on the Internet about a woman taking on too much or trying too hard, I would probably be almost as rich as Jeff Bezos.

When we are looking to make change in the world, it is important that we are able to tune out these voices telling us that we can’t. Now, that doesn’t mean that if someone offers you constructive feedback on how to improve your plan, you don’t listen. Rather, it is about developing the ability to differentiate whether people are providing you advice because they want you to succeed or because they want you to fail.

2. Political change doesn’t need to come from partisan politics

Next, we heard from Janis Irwin, MLA in the Alberta Legislature. Although contrary to her own position in the government, Janis stressed the importance of coming together as a community to make change. Just because you are not in the room where policies and governmental decisions happen, does not mean that your voice does not matter. Fighting for causes you are passionate about in numerous ways, from writing to your representative to starting a grassroots organization, these efforts all make a difference.

3. Take enlightened risks

During her talk, Serene introduced us to her RDC method: Risks, Discomfort and Courage. This method can be useful to activists to stepping outside of their comfort zone and empathizing with multiple perspectives. What stood out to me the most during her discussion and what I want to share with you all, is the difference between enlightened risks vs. non-enlightened risks. Enlightened risks are risks that we take that will lead to the most opportunity for growth. This might be going to a study abroad, applying for an internship in an area that is out of your expertise, and many others. Enlightened risks are focused on providing you with maximized growth and self-development. On the other hand, there are non-enlightened risks that don’t lead to personal growth. Examples could be gambling or cheating on a test.

We live in an echo-chamber. We often surround ourselves both through friends and in social media, with people who share the same views and opinions as us. This can lead to a stagnation in our growth as activists. How can we make change if we don’t know what the other side’s arguments and perspectives are? Thus, as activists it is imperative that we take enlightened risks to help us step outside of our comfort and challenge ourselves to get outside of the echo chamber that we live in. It is when we take this leap into the unknown that we will be able to make change.

4. People can’t pull the trigger if you don’t give them the gun

Last but not least, we had the opportunity to hear from Shelby Weaver, a business woman and entrepreneur that taught us invaluable skills on being successful in the business industry. In the business industry, especially in male-dominated spaces such as sports, being a woman can be challenging at times. When asked what advice she has used the most throughout her years, Shelby responded with this quote, “People can’t pull the trigger if you don’t give them the gun.”

In this metaphor, we learn how often times we give people too much power over our lives, businesses and personal matters, leading us to be hurt in the end by their actions. However, Shelby encourages to take ownership, to not give people the power to hurt us.

This year at the empowHER 2021 Summit, we had the privilege to hear from four amazing women leaders in their communities. I hope that the lessons that I took away from the summit propel you to discover causes you are passionate about and create change in your own community. Your voice deserves to be heard.