Dear Best Friends, I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar… Too.
Remember that feeling? That surge of power when Helen Reddy belted out “I Am Woman” – a declaration that resonated deep in our bones? It felt like a call to arms, a collective exhale after holding our breath for too long. That roar echoed through generations, cracking ceilings and demanding space. Yet, in the quiet moments, maybe over coffee with you, my dearest friends, a different truth sometimes whispers: “Yes, I am woman. Hear me roar… too.” That “too” holds volumes. It’s not a contradiction; it’s the intricate harmony of modern womanhood.
The Legacy of the Roar Isn’t Just Loudness
That iconic roar wasn’t simply about volume. It was about visibility, about refusing to be silent, small, or confined. It demanded recognition, equality, and the fundamental right to exist on our own terms. We stand on the shoulders of the women who roared before us – the suffragettes, the factory workers demanding fair pay, the activists fighting for bodily autonomy. They carved out spaces where our voices could be heard. Their roar was the necessary earthquake that shook the foundations.
The “Too” – The Symphony Within the Roar
But life isn’t a constant, earth-shattering tremor. Our roar isn’t monolithic. That little word “too” acknowledges the beautiful, complex reality:
1. The Quiet Roar of Resilience: Sometimes, the roar isn’t a shout heard across continents. It’s the quiet, unwavering determination of getting up after a setback, of juggling a million responsibilities without dropping the ball (or at least, only dropping a few!), of advocating fiercely for a child or a parent. It’s the inner fire that keeps us moving forward when exhaustion whispers surrender. That is roaring too.
2. The Roar of Authenticity: The original roar often spoke to a collective struggle. Our “too” embraces the individual symphony within it. It’s the woman choosing a high-powered career roaring. It’s the woman finding profound fulfillment in creative pursuits or caregiving roaring. It’s the woman embracing her queerness, her neurodiversity, her unique path roaring. Our roar doesn’t have to sound like anyone else’s to be powerful and valid.
3. The Roar of Vulnerability: True strength isn’t the absence of cracks; it’s showing them. Our “too” allows for the roar that comes with admitting overwhelm, asking for help, shedding tears, or saying, “I can’t do this alone.” This isn’t weakness; it’s a profound roar of self-awareness and trust in our community. It dismantles the myth that empowered women must be stoic islands.
4. The Roar of Intersectionality: “I am woman” is powerful, but which woman? Our experiences are profoundly shaped by race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, ability, and more. The “too” insists that all our roars deserve to be heard and amplified. It demands we listen to the unique roars of women whose battles intersect with systemic racism, poverty, or discrimination, understanding that their “hear me roar” carries different, equally vital, frequencies.
Best Friends: The Amplifiers and the Safe Havens
This is where you, my incredible best friends, become indispensable. You are the amplifiers and the safe harbors for each other’s unique roars.
You Hear the Quiet Roars: You see the determination in our eyes when we don’t shout it. You recognize the courage in our everyday acts. You’re the ones who text, “I know today was tough. You roared just by getting through it,” making the invisible visible.
You Celebrate the Authentic Roar: You don’t measure our choices against some external yardstick of “proper” womanhood or feminism. You cheer wildly when we land the promotion, but you cheer just as loudly when we finally quit the soul-crushing job to pursue pottery, or when we share the quiet joy of a peaceful weekend. You validate our definition of success and roar.
You Hold Space for the Vulnerable Roar: You create the sacred space where we can lower the volume, where the roar can crack into tears or fears without judgment. You offer the shoulder, the listening ear, the practical help, and the unwavering belief that this moment of vulnerability is part of our strength. You remind us that roaring doesn’t mean never needing rest.
You Amplify the Diverse Roars: You actively listen to and champion the experiences of friends whose backgrounds differ from yours. You use your voice to uplift theirs, understanding that true sisterhood means fighting for all women to be heard, especially those historically silenced. You challenge your own biases and learn.
Roaring Together in a Complicated World
The world still throws obstacles. Systemic inequalities persist. Microaggressions sting. The pressure to “have it all” while sounding effortlessly powerful is immense. Sometimes, we might feel our roar falter, or wonder if it’s even making a difference.
This is when we lean into our sisterhood. We roar together:
Calling Out Injustice: We support each other in confronting sexism, racism, or unfairness, whether at work, online, or in personal circles. Knowing our friends have our backs makes our individual roars stronger.
Sharing the Load: We offer practical support – childcare swaps during crunch times, meal trains during illness, sharing resources. We roar by lifting each other up, making the impossible seem slightly more manageable.
Refueling Each Other: We create spaces for genuine connection, laughter, and rest – the essential fuel that sustains our ability to roar. A weekend getaway, a movie night, a simple walk – these moments recharge our collective spirit.
Reminding Each Other: We are the mirrors reflecting back each other’s strength, especially when we forget it ourselves. “Remember when you…?” “I’m so proud of how you handled…” These affirmations reignite our inner fire.
Hear Me Roar… Too. And Hear Us Roar Together.
So, dear best friends, “I am woman, hear me roar… too.” It’s my declaration that my power isn’t confined to one archetype. It pulses in my ambition, my tenderness, my resilience, my messy humanity, and my unique place in this diverse tapestry of womanhood.
And crucially, my roar finds its deepest resonance alongside yours. It’s amplified in our laughter, strengthened in our shared tears, and fortified by our unwavering belief in one another. We are not solitary voices shouting into the void; we are a powerful chorus, a symphony of roars – loud, quiet, fierce, vulnerable, unique, and united.
Our individual “hear me roar… too” becomes a collective, unstoppable force: Hear Us Roar. We honor the legacy by living it fully, authentically, and together. That’s the beautiful, complex, powerful truth of being women, right here, right now. Pass the coffee, and let’s keep roaring – each in our own perfect key.
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