A female perspective. Imagine?

10 years ago, I was graduating from college at EAESP- FGV, a well ranked business school in Brazil that happens to be the same one my mom attended and where a few years later, my sister would graduate. Although the University frequently touted that it was ‘building the future leaders of Brazil’ and half of our class was female, I by no means see this reflected in private or public organizations, (big or small), over a decade later.

When I look back at myself in my early twenties, eager and ready to enter the corporate world, I feel sorry for that girl. I wish I could warn her of so many things… of the sexual harassment she will go through, of how close to her physical and mental limits work will push her, and of how lonely it will all feel. She has no idea what is ahead, nor does she realize how strong she will come to be.

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Since then, much has changed. At the rise of this new millennia: women are fighting for their rights in a different way from the past, one that emphasizes solidarity and support for other women. It is not only a movement I find inspirational, but also one that I truly need. I need to have hope — hope that my work, intellect, actions, and efforts will be judged by their merit rather than my gender. I need to believe that the sexual inequality we see today is on its way out.

Ironically, I do not believe the push for a more equal society came from a place of genuine intentions. Although there may be some companies and managers that genuinely champion women, I have seen first-hand how others have been motivated by costs. Bringing-in other 50% into the workforce can be a good strategy to keep salaries at reasonable levels. However, I know it is a profound movement cannot be reversed. Irrespective of this, women will continue to not only find but display their strength, leading to results unforeseen by those that underestimate them. As women we are unlocking our potential, and now more than ever, becoming aware of its magnitude and profoundness.

I find evidence of this power among friends, colleagues, social media, best-selling books…. I am surrounded by women that both inspire and enrage me, yet never do I doubt their fortitude. My strongest bonds are with females, but so are my most tempestuous ones. A woman brought me into this world, and others have helped me live through it. My feelings and expressions are most intense when interacting with other women because of the overwhelming sense of connection and shared experience. It is for that reason and so many others, that I want to help build a society where every woman feels empowered and capable of realizing her true strength.

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Going back to younger-me… I can’t help but ask ‘why’ — Why was she not prepared? Why did she so often let her emotions overpower her intelligence and instinct? Why did no one tell her, why didn’t someone prepare her?

To help close the gap, I will use this space to share a few lessons I’ve learned along the way. Although my professional experience spans three geographies and a variety of male dominated industries, the biggest take-aways are by far those that have helped me become more aware of myself and my values.

The purpose of this page is to offer a female perspective on everyday topics that women working today may face. I’ll likely talk about start-up management and entrepreneurship, as I am in the midst of launching an exciting new project. But I’ll also come back to one of my favorite topics — leadership — and what it takes to inspire a team. My hope is to influence the world (even if it’s just a small piece of it), by promoting a healthier and happier work-environment, while achieving a much more balanced and equitable society.