"I'm Every Woman"
Women Are Uniquely Positioned To Be a Changemakers
Helloooooo my March people!
This clover and leprechaun month has been at the top of my changemaking months for nearly two decades. There is just so much to motivate me! We’re lightening into the Spring days, and hopefully finally found our grove between the holidays and the next big break. Then, it is also a big advocacy month for a lot of causes, one of which is for women.
I care about this, probably because I’m Every Woman. But this month’s changemaking gets to be be important to you, too, if you are a woman or know women (ahem, yes, I assume this means everyone). Addressing concerns affecting women is vital for all the people of the globe.
Yep—that’s a big statement! I challenge you to stick around and hear me out to learn why.
Just So You Know What’s In This Edition:
The Unique Positioning of Women
World Changers United: March
Will the Real Women’s Day Please Stand Up?
For All Women Who’ve Been Harmed
FINAL Book Launch COUNTDOWN
March Giveaway: Thank You For Your Help!
1. The Unique Positioning of Women
It isn’t hard to pin-point the negatives women still experience in the Western world—an overwhelming mental load, inequality in work, sexism, poor mental health, etc… But although we often focus on these negatives, there are some other beautiful things to point out about Millennial and Gen X women in the Western world.
Our Newfound Potential
An article from Jumble and Flow titled, “Women over 40 are poised to be one of the most powerful U.S. demographics,'' points to research showing that these days a woman’s deepest need is “to be seen and respected for who she is, who she is becoming, and who she wants to be.” Then, findings from the 2020 survey commissioned by the advertising agency, Fancy, were that women want to be taken seriously as individuals with influence, intelligence, and spending power.
Wow! Throughout history, most woman couldn’t even imagine that their posterity would be able to feel such a degree of fulfillment, respect and agency. Guess what this means? More than ever before, women are uniquely positioned to use what they have gained, and it doesn’t just have to be about survival. Women now have the potential to bring their light, creativity, and passions to the world, which, when used intentionally, can be used for the good for others, too.
What Women Invest In
Another amazing aspect about women is that when you invest in them, they go on to positively affect everything around them. This especially is seen in developing areas of the world and other spaces where there are gaps. I am not going to source a bunch of research for you now,1 but essentially, women tend to use the resources they get to give back to develop their families, communities, and the healing and wholeness of others. They also are usually more frequent and higher givers. They focus on giving to things that influence their ecosystem. In fact, because of this trend, simply by investing aid in women, the UN and NGOs estimate that nations GDPs will go up by 20%!
Empowering women is something I generally just love; I view it is big part of my purpose. What has a greater ripple effect than helping women become more fully alive and getting in their sweet spot to make a difference?
Passing “the Love” Back and Forth
Women’s Month gives me the excuse to invite you all into my passion and tell you why investing in women matters. Ultimately, empowering women, whether each other, locally, or far on the other side of the globe, will have a wider more a positive affect on society.
Although we might see ourselves—changemakers—more as givers and helpers than receivers, we also get to be receivers. By intentionally investing in women, we can create a reciprocal back and forth dynamic, allowing for connection, authenticity, and mutual empowerment.
If you take one thing away from this edition of The Table, I hope it will be to ask yourself (whatever gender you are—men are far from excluded) these two questions:
How am I uniquely positioned in this time with agency, respect, and resources to share?
In what ways can I empower women in my life, community, and world this year?
2. World Changers United: March!
Like I said earlier, March has a plethora of very impact-focused days. I am all about not reinventing the wheel, overcoming hindrances, complications, and engaging in changemaking the easiest possible way from our real and busy lives. This is why I want to make sure you have these!
Can you start by telling us one way you will join others in making a difference with a little action?
3. Will The Read Women’s Day Please Stand Up!?
Women’s Day for 2025 is done, but the global impact threads all the way March, our very own International Women’s Month (whether acknowledged by the U.S. or not). I’ve had some observations about this the last few years I’ve shared on social media. Honestly, it is a full on rant, even if a very short one.
But I’ve never shared it here. What’s my beef with “Woman’s Day?” and how it is often celebrated in Western countries? Check it out here.
4. For the Women Who’ve Been Harmed
One thing that I’ve found fascinating is that every woman I know has had to deal with the challenges and hurdles of being a woman. But because they are “normal,” or we don’t see our individual experiences as part of a wider system, women don’t always acknowledge, let alone heal from how we’ve experienced harm and hurt.
I get this. I have my fair share of pain that I experienced simply because I was a woman—sexual harassment, bared from jobs I was qualified for, and those walking out on me leading because I am a woman. I’ve had my fair share of women’s health and life-altering reproductive challenges. And all of these don’t include the less-personal system-wide experiences that are normal.2
I know I am far from alone in this, and I know many of you have experienced tolerable to horrible things because you are a woman. This is the problem, though. The hurt and untrue beliefs we’ve taken from these experiences will pop-up. I see it time and time again with changemakers, from within the groups I’ve facilitated, to advocacy initiatives I’ve led, and then with each client I’ve coached.
I could write a book on this today, but I’ll spare you.
Today I’ll simply say this:
Your story matters. And so does your healing.
Reread that, friend. Even if you don’t feel it today, on the days you do, know you aren’t alone. Hope and healing aren’t myths.3
5. FINAL Book Launch COUNTDOWN
It’s been a lot, but it is the last month of my book launch for Justice-Minded Kids and The Life Mapping Workbook! My only goal is to get this to people who they’d help and I can’t do that alone.
Can you leave a sentence about one thing you’ve appreciated, learned, or been challenged by in one or both of these books on either Amazon.com or Goodreads?
From the 25-31st: can you post a picture of one of my books or a picture of you don’t one of the activities and tagging me?
From the 25-31st: can you share a quote from one of these books? (You can use one of these here)
6. March Giveaway: Thank You For Your Help!
This is the last month of giveaways! The week of the 24th-31st we’re going all in! Can you help?
⏩ Choose one item to do from my launch list! (The rest of the rules to this giveaway are found there, too.) Winner chosen at random at the end of March! This month is all about women for women’s month, including:
Amber earrings from refugees via Love Anyway Shop
Canvas bag with quote, “And off she went to change the world”
Framed quote art created just for us by Danielle Ferrin @ Fun Places Design
Books about women around the world: I Am Malala and Half the Sky
“Make a difference” sticker pack
Pura Vida bracelet
Mexican tile from San Diego
“Votes for Women” cards highlighting women in the suffrage movement
⏩ ENTER HERE
Thank you for your help!
I’m going to be honest—this book launch, although “sustainable” has been hard and has felt very vulnerable. It has taught me a lot about myself, mostly about my fears, insecurities—not surprisingly, some of these stem from the harm I’ve experienced because I’m a woman.
It has also shown me how much I desire connection with people about these topics. I am so grateful for those who have replied to these emails, contacted me, or helped me get these books into the world!
Even if these books haven’t meet you where you are, in parenting/teaching kids, or life alignment with purpose/priorities/goals, I appreciate your patience and sticking with me as I’ve tried to finish this season well.
Thank you.
With so much gratitude, while cheering you and/or the women in your life (and around the globe) onward,
-Elisa Johnston
If you would like direction toward these, start with the giveaway above, where you can win a copy of Half the Sky! Or just reply to this email and I will send you some resources to learn about how women positively impact the world. I’d like to say the same about men, but sadly, this is often not the case, and overall hasn’t been true to positively bring about equality for the half of the population that are female. (Not to dog on men, I love men and know many who push against this trend.)
Women’s Issues: Confronting My Junk as a Christian Woman was something I wrote when I first began working through my own healing as a woman. (I still have the resource mentioned in this article available, but I only give it to those who directly ask.) I continue to write regularly about healing and use a faith perspective at my other blog, Authentically Elisa.
My tendency right now is to throw a bunch of resources your way to help you towards healing, but won’t. If you need those, just reply to this and I’ll see if I can send you tools to meet you where you are.
Really appreciated this question, "How am I uniquely positioned in this time with agency, respect, and resources to share?" I'm going to be chewing on it this week!