Lifestyle•Jul 12, 2024

The Importance of Women Empowering Women

Megan holds a BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is a certified fitness instructor. She danced professionally with the NBA’s Brooklynettes. Megan has been recognized by top publications like Vogue, Goop, Shape and WWD, and has worked with world-renowned brands such as Chanel and New Balance. Learn more about Megan

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—the impact of female support networks can’t be overstated. Empowered women are the heart of the TSS community, and it’s enormously important to have both female allies in the workplace and strong female friendships outside of work. On a societal level, the focus of modern feminism has shifted away from individual growth toward fostering a sense of community, recognizing that the experiences of all women need to be included to achieve true gender equity. Below, we’ll break down why women empowering women can be so impactful—both in our personal lives and professionally—and how to empower women in your own everyday life, whether it’s the new hire at work or your longtime BFF.

Personal Empowerment

When women have the autonomy to make choices about their own bodies, their education and more, the ripple effects can last a lifetime. Personal empowerment contributes to women’s overall well-being and confidence; and supportive female friendships, family members, and communities play a huge role in the process.

Creating a supportive community

Having friends you feel comfortable confiding in, and who empathize with what’s going on in your life, helps you feel more seen and supported. Close female friendships offer a safe space for honestly expressing your emotions—being part of a supportive community of friends lets you vent and release stress, reducing anxiety overall.

Increased sense of belonging + feeling less isolated

These strong female friendships help foster a sense of community, and feeling connected to your close pals plays a crucial role in reducing loneliness. It’s the little things that can have a big impact—joining a group workout class, having a standing coffee date, or meeting up for weekly dinners.

Boosting confidence and self-esteem

Regular interactions with friends who gas you up lead to increased confidence and self-esteem boosts. There’s nothing like getting together with friends to lift your mood…and subsequently, your overall happiness.

Sharing feel-good hobbies

Meeting up for movement is a great way to catch up—you’ll get double the endorphin release. We love hiking with friends, getting your crew together for a group yoga class, or inviting your pals to join you for a TSS workout. Treat your friends to 1 free month on the app, and you’ll get a $20 gift card for each successful referral. Here’s how…

Professional Empowerment

There’s no easy solution to gender discrepancies in the workplace, from pay to leadership roles, but building a supportive professional network can help women better navigate these systemic obstacles.

Economic benefits of women supporting women

Across the globe, over 380 million women and girls—or 1 in 10—currently live in extreme poverty. Additionally, almost 60% of women worldwide work in the informal economy, i.e., economic sectors not regulated by the government, which often lack social protections like health insurance or unemployment benefits. Women are still paid, on average, 80 cents for every dollar men take home. Even in 2024, gender inequality in earnings is staggering.

When women empower each other in the workplace, the payoffs are significant, both on an individual level and in terms of overall growth and productivity. Implementing measures like pay transparency, advocating for promotions, and creating a culture of allyship in the workplace are essential. Advocating for policies like maternity leave and affordable childcare help women enter and stay in the workplace. Across the board, women supporting women at work leads to higher earnings and stronger communities.

The role of female mentorship

Women continue to be underrepresented in management roles in American workforces. Although women make up nearly half the workforce, they hold just 37% of all leadership positions. In terms of career advancement, building relationships with female mentors can be invaluable.

When women support and advocate for each other at work, they’re more apt to be able to successfully navigate professional minefields, like wage gaps and having fewer leadership opportunities. In terms of professional development, mentorship is often key—whether that’s identifying and finding your own female mentors, or paying it back by mentoring women in your industry. Mentors can offer guidance, share their career insights, and give constructive feedback. Having mentors you trust can also help you expand your professional network. On an individual basis, this helps women get ahead at work; in terms of creating a more equitable society, more women staying and thriving in the workplace, getting promoted to leadership roles, and promoting new female hires contributes to more inclusive workplaces in the long run.

Empowered women are changing the world for the better—and having a strong community of women in your own life will help you feel more motivated + supported professionally, and safer + happier in your personal life. So be sure to reach out to someone you admire in your industry, or just text the group chat how much you love them all. When we have each others’ backs, we’re all better for it.