Together We Rise

Donald Trump has taken office and is officially the 45th President of the United States.  Women all over the country and the world are uniting to protect our rights as well as the rights of POC, immigrants, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and for human rights in general.  This is amazing and I am optimistic that it will continue.  I have no intention of getting political in this article.  I do, however, want to take a moment to talk about women supporting each other rather than tearing each other apart.   
It has become a norm for women to tear one another down rather than appreciate our difference and support one another.  I am certain I have been guilty of this at some point in my life.  For some, we do it to make ourselves feel better.  For others, it is simply the way they build themselves up and they enjoy watching other women crumble.    
The shift will not be easily made, but I intend to work every day to appreciate our differences.  If we can learn to allow one another to be the strong, powerful, unique, amazing women we are, we have the opportunity to be an unbelievable force in this world.   It is going to take courage and determination by learning how to tune out the constant stream of communication telling us we need to conform to societal requirements.  We are going to have to stop fighting with one another and start working together.   
I hear too many women saying "I am against abortion it should be illegal".  Supporting a woman's right to make the best choice about her life is part of what equality is about.  In the face of many different faiths and beliefs, let us work together to overcome the challenges we all face.   
My challenge to you:  Next time you are with your female friends or you meet someone new, get to know them and work really hard to take your own opinions out of the equation.  We will certainly not agree on everything and our paths in life will probably be very different,  however, we absolutely have to support one another.  If we continue to fight and tear one another down, how can we ever expect progress to be made?