International Women’s Day In My Ivy Park

STYLE

Mar 8

DEFINING WOMANHOOD

From lifeonamat and myself, I want to wish you a happy international women's day! To spruce things up a little, I plan to do a q&a so that my readers can get to know me a little more! I hope that my answers will give you a deeper look into who I am and how I define womanhood. And I'm doing it in my ivy park!

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Q&A

Q: how do you describe yourself and your work?

A: I see myself as a multi-talented working woman, with various interests. In my career, I am part of a team that provides the curriculum to educate police officers with specialized training to improve their leadership, ethics, and supervision skills. We help them to also become better members of the community. I find so much value and fulfilment in my job because I believe that I am making a difference in the world and for people of color. In my other work spheres, I define myself as a yogi/yoga instructor and a website owner. I tend to shy away from using the term blogger or influencer. I'm just a woman putting out work and content that I hope will inspire others to live their best lives.

Q: who are the female leaders that inspire you?

A: there's just too many! Michelle obama, lisa ling, chaka khan, linda hamilton, nina simone, my mom, and grandmothers.

Q: as a young woman in the fitness industry, what are some of the challenges that you have faced?

A: I'd have to say that the biggest challenge is trying to promote your work + a positive body image. I think that when I write a post or upload a photo, I want it to inspire, I want it to have substance. I've tried my best to be a leader in a sea of followers. I want to do things in good taste but also keep things real. When your body is your tool, I think that the fitness has to come first. I don't believe in resorting to sex appeal for attention. I try to educate and ask myself if the content has value.

Q: are there any feminist causes that you feel particularly strongly about and would like to play a part in?

A: I feel strongly about equal pay and domestic violence. I think that the workplace and employers oftentimes are afraid to elevate women to the levels that they deserve. But studies show that when women join the workforce, we add to the economy. We make our countries better and contribute to the overall gdp. Our value also goes beyond money. It's about how we are treated at home. When women are respected at home, we raise good children and live with more love. Women deserve opportunities, and that is a cornerstone in the mission of lifeonamat. It's about believing in yourself and I hope that my projects reflect that each week as I post my content.

Q: how do you find balance in your relationships while still being a strong woman?

A: I think a big part of being strong and independent while still having a partner is communication. Talking about what you expect in the relationship and just being upfront is so important. If you're too scared to be yourself, that's a big red flag! Express yourself everyday and find a person that can be your #1 fan. If they can't accept you because you're educated, driven, financially stable, or have your own place, then they're not cut out for a life with a good woman.

Q: what future do you see for women?

A: I believe womanhood is always evolving. And so I see the future in a positive light. I believe that we will always continue to fight for what we deserve. We will continue to improve the dialogue and conversations that we are having with one another. I think that my daughter will have more rights early on. And I know that I will raiser her in a home in which she is free to speak her mind. The next generation will not hesitate or wait. The momentum of our progress will rise and we will live in a more equal society. Our improvement to healthcare, education, and jobs will increase but we have to stay involved, we have to exercise our rights and speak out.