Oprah Winfrey, one of the most exemplary women of today, once said: “Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. Learn to think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail, for failure is another steppingstone to greatness.”
She is a person who has lived in dire poverty, faced severe discrimination, felt subjugation, been abandoned by people she loved, and yet embraced success in the most superior manner possible. We talk about equality, we talk about change, and most importantly we talk about empowerment – but how much of our actions are actually inspiring this change? Who defines power? Who can bring change? Unfortunately, the world media has taken the responsibility to create this false idea of “power” and forever tangled a web in society so deep, that it is impossible to untangle the mess from the public and private spheres.
I will not tell you what power is, but what power is not. It is not a superior race/complexion endorsed by skin-fairing agents, it is not a particular gender supported by many political platforms, nor is it a certain age range that is sanctioned by the corporate world.
The true definition of power can vary from people to people, and how they decide to perceive it. However, the beauty of it is governed by people’s decision making ability, their visions, their goals, and their ability to inspire change. So, what is change? I would say change comes to your life when you learn to climb mountains (hypothetically).
Climb mountains so that your outlook on the world changes, you get a different perspective of where you stand, and most importantly, you get to see the world around you, and see how you can create positive change. This hypothetical mountain is what gave Wasfia Nazreen the power to not only become the youngest person/woman in Bangladesh to conquer the world’s highest peak, but to also climb the highest mountains in each continent by representing “Bangladesh on Seven Summits.”
I write about Wasfia Nazreen, because I have known her since the day I was born. Furthermore, I have seen how inspiration sparked change in her life, and have given her power and agency in return. Her early days were of a typical South Asian girl, with long black hair (the most traditional sign of beauty), and a role-model for the all kids in the neighbourhood.
We grew up, and went our different ways, and lost contact for the years to come. When Bangladesh rejoiced in Wasfia Nazreen’s triumph on becoming the youngest person ever to climb the Everest, I thought about the girl with the beautiful long hair, pushing me in the swing until I felt I could reach the sky.
Wasfia Nazreen’s success was certainly not a smooth road up, but her road definitely showed her that inspiration can definitely be the catalyst of success. Being a resident of Bangladesh, we take no time to blame our social obstructions, our lack of resources, and backlashes that could result because of our identity as women.
But the fact of the matter is that the only way a holistic attitude changes, is when your attitude changes. Society is not really against you, rather it is more for themselves, and Wasfia Nazreen has been the perfect example that proves this theory. Being a Bangladeshi, she broke all societal barriers to chase her dreams and to be that catalyst of change.
To be an inspiring leader, we must learn to think in broader perspectives and cultivate innovative ideas into a desired common outcome with efforts of our team. Leadership is about responsibility and influence nothing more, and nothing less.
I don’t think there is a particular reason to celebrate Women’s Day. Every day is Women’s Day because we are certainly dominating the world with our drive and passion. Rather, this is a day we should celebrate the beginning of a revolutionary change for women. One must keep in mind that a revolution is not a dinner party.
Those who make history are usually the ones who go against the social norms to bring about changes; this is where we see the distinction between the “rebel” and the “traditionalist.” Like Wasfia Nazreen, I want to become that “rebel” who brings a change in attitude towards the women in South Asia.
However, in order to bring that revolution,the practice to attain greater initiative with a forceful power is essential to strive for our women’s better future. Leaders are catalysts, and catalysts are never purists.
They fight for change, for expression, and for perspective that often personifies them as the “bad” in society. Hence, as a budding woman leader, I want to be one of those “bad girls in society” who initiates a revolution that writes history and inspires change.
