Page 66 - Nicole Ari Parker

THE FUTURE

IS

FEMALE

We are only in the beginning of 2019 and women have already been making history in extremely
high profile ways! This year was the first time in history that more than one black woman won
an Oscar: production designer Hannah Beachler and costume designer Ruth Carter became only
the second and third African American women to win non-acting Oscars for their work on Black
Panther. Additionally, Regina King won best supporting actress in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’.
Beyond Hollywood, history continued to be made in politics when Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar who
are the first Muslim-American women to ever be elected to congress, began their terms. Sharice
Davids and Deb Haaland were the first Native-American women elected to congress and have also
begun to live their history making terms. In 2019, more women of color than ever before have been
elected into the 116th Congress.
As women have been making history, it is letting young girls know—up close and personally—the
many opportunities that await them and the endless possibilities of possibility. The future is definitely
and decidedly FEMALE! So what does this mean for young women? These monumental moments
remind us that anything is possible and calls upon us all to embrace those in our communities and
on our paths of life who are making history, and to hold them accountable to continue to lead, with
integrity. The breaking of these barriers creates hope and fuels determination for those women
watching but beyond the planting of seeds of hope, the call for accountability will result in a harvest
of even more history making outcomes.
Whether it is in sports, entertainment, politics or the medical field, women are making a statement
that anything is possible. According to Business Insider, in the last 20 years, the number of women
owned businesses has increased 114% with autonomy being a key motivating factor. Societal
“norms” are no longer dictating the jobs women have or the roles they play within their household.
Women are facing adversities head on, and are refusing to allow racism, sexism, ageism or life’s
challenges to impede upon their dreams and goals. “I can and I will” has become our line of thinking.
Alpha females are refusing to allow “no” to be an option. We are smart, determined and fearlessly
taking strides to be better, so we may leave behind a legacy of grace, strength and confidence.

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