A more confident woman than myself said in her best selling memoir BECOMING, “It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.” -Michelle Obama. I haven’t quite decided what my authentic voice sounds like but I’ve decided to start speaking.

The deep south raises a girl unlike anywhere else in the entire world. She is taught to be sweet, chaste, and above all quiet. When she is coming of age she is taught to fear men, especially men who do not resemble her father. Once she reaches adulthood, the most effiecient way to climb is to use her appearance.

Somehow this woman managed to create some space between herself and everything she thought she knew. Space can be lonely but it allows room to think rationally. It allows room to grow. It allows room to change.

I spent my 20’s and early 30’s working for male dominated coorporations and small businesses. Some were not so bad, and some were so bad- the men and the companies. I jumped on the bandwagon for the Great Resignation in 2022 and found myself freelance writing for a news publication. I want to write for women. I want to cover topics they need information and perspective on. I want to find my authentic voice.