Powerful women can be scary!?!
What is it about powerful women that attracts so much dislike? When a man aggressively takes over another company, pulls off a great deal, wins the struggle for leadership, he is praised. A powerful woman does the same she is called a bitch! The times are changing. In a world of uncertainty and fear, we all need to tap into our power and embrace the possibilities and yes, celebrate our power. I had a fascinating radio interview with a powerful woman this week, Susan Schachterle, author of “The Bitch, the Crone, and the Harlot” and I wanted to explore our ideas about powerful women in this weeks blog post.
The words we use to describe anybody, powerful women, powerful men, who are high achievers, are often derogatory. Maybe we feel threatened by their success? Do we feel the need to put them down, knock them off their pedestal, bring them back down to earth? By labeling others success as ” a fluke”, “luck”, “easy because they are rich” we denigrate the hard work these powerful women and men put in to achieve their goals.
Worse, there is a tendency to focus only on the achievements of the younger generations, the twenty and thirty somethings, as if once you hit forty you no longer are worthy of praise?
The idea behind, The bitch, the crone, the harlot book is recognizing and celebrating the power that women have as they hit middle age which I would argue also, in some ways, applies to men. However, men don’t seem to suffer quite the same level of animosity once they pass forty. A grey haired man is “distinguished” a grey haired woman, clearly needs to reach for the hair dye!
So, are you a Bitch, a Crone or a Harlot? Are you a powerful woman, if not why not? Click to tweet
A bitch is defined as,
Bitch, literally meaning a female dog, is a slang pejorative for a person, commonly a woman, who is belligerent, unreasonable, malicious, a control freak, rudely intrusive or aggressive. When applied to a man, bitch is a derogatory term for a subordinate.
In a feminist context, it can indicate a strong or assertive woman.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitch_%28insult%29
Are you a bitch if you don’t easily take a joke, assert your right to be heard and take control of your life? Hmmm..sounds like a powerful woman to me! Being in control of your life is powerful and, let’s face it, for most of us the feeling of life being out of control is one we want to avoid.
Multitudes of women run their own business and are in positions of trust and authority. Click to tweet
They also juggle a full home life and still have time to be loving parents and partners. Powerful women have tapped into the energy of the universe. They know what they want and are clear about how to get it. They visualize their success and go for it.
A crone is defined as,
The crone is a stock character in folklore and fairy tale, an old woman. In some stories, she is disagreeable, malicious, or sinister in manner, often with magical or supernatural associations that can make her either helpful or obstructing. The Crone is also an archetypal figure, a Wise Woman.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crone
Crones are often women who fall into the, “Can’t have children anymore, old woman” category. Does this make them less worthy citizens? Oprah Winfrey could be classified as a crone, oh and she has been called a bitch too! Hilary Clinton has crone status and certainly is smart but often reviled by those who disagree with her politics; but she surely ranks among some of the most powerful women in the USA. Her latest poll for example shows exactly how she is both liked and disliked!
If you are a woman over 50 does your age make you less powerful? Many would argue that this is the age of wisdom, and knowledge is power, so powerful women over fifty have life experience and often less family commitments and can focus more on being successful. Click to tweet
It may be, however, that you need to rediscover your purpose at this age, a helpful post on this is Discovering your purpose after 50.
Most Eastern cultures revere the older generation, isn’t it about time, we in the West followed their example?
http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/hillary-clinton-favorable-rating
A harlot is defined as,
..a prostitute or promiscuous woman
In Susan’s book a harlot is an older woman who rather than being distracted by the frantic pace of her youth, gives herself time to absorb the beauty around her — as well as reveling in her deep store of sexual knowledge. In other words, she is a woman in tune with her sexuality and able to appreciate the true beauty of the world around her. I would say that Jane Fonda is a delightful harlot! Now over 70 years old her book, “Prime Time, Love, health, sex, fitness, friendship, spirit; Making the most of all of your life” is an extraordinarily frank look at enjoying all the pleasures in life in your older age! Jane Fonda ranks among powerful women who have changed their lives and reinvented themselves each decade.
Powerful women know and like themselves
To be powerful you need to first like yourself. There is some fear associated with harnessing your inner power and that is what holds some people back. See Inner Strength for some more information on this. Powerful women, and men are very clear on their goals and thy understand that what they put out into the universe is what they get back. You don’t have to be a bitch, a crone or a harlot to join the ranks of powerful women; but do not be afraid if you are called those terms! Embrace your strength and your determination- your bitch like qualities. Appreciate your wisdom and life experience- your crone qualities. Be grateful for the ability to enjoy a physical life and love the beauty around you- your harlot qualities.
Be a powerful woman and proud of it! Click to tweet
To listen to my interview with Susan Schachterle, author of The Bitch, the Crone, The Harlot, click on the link below.
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Great blog and fantastic interview. Love everything you do Lorane!!