How Can A Man Be His Own SHERO?
How Can A Man Be His Own SHERO?
ATHENA of the Triangle Leadership Conference Reflection
During lunch with one of the presenters, Dr. Ruth Steidlinger, I jokingly posed the question, "How can a man be his own Shero?" Little did I know that the answer would unfold through my experience at the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Conference. As a man, embracing the concept of being a Shero is about actively supporting and standing beside women, creating environments where they can confidently express their authentic selves. The conference taught me that true belonging often stems from understanding others' lived experiences and acknowledging our impact in various spaces.
The wealth of knowledge and diverse perspectives shared at the conference truly opened my eyes. I regretted not being able to attend all sessions and noticed the absence of more men, despite the focus on women's leadership. I strongly believe that men's presence is crucial in learning how to support and empower women in leadership roles. The conference reinforced the idea that collective impact and championing respect and humanity are essential in fostering a culture of inclusivity and equality.
One memorable moment was hearing a Ukrainian native share her harrowing escape to freedom and how it inspired her to become an entrepreneur. Her courage in facing fear head-on resonated deeply with me. The conference provided a platform to interact with extraordinary women, not defined by external factors but by the pure extraordinary of their womanness.
Held at the beautiful SAS Campus, the conference symbolized the American dream, showcasing entrepreneurship, innovation, and commitment. I felt both honored and humbled to be the only male presenter, understanding the trust and risk involved. In a world where divisive ideologies often prevail, I realized the importance of navigating women-centered spaces with sensitivity, acknowledging and assessing the possibility of unintentional implicit patriarchal values and systemic misogyny.
Inspired by Captain Fielding Arnold's talk, I am committed to being a Third Mast, a guiding force for equity, advocating for the accessibility and recognition of women in leadership positions. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Tiamesha M. Walker-Smith, the ATHENA of the Triangle Board, the Leadership Team, and the Planning Committee for organizing such an amazing event.
Though I provided value-based education, the ATHENA Leadership Conference left me with a renewed passion to do my part in curating and cultivating ways for others to deeply value the “belief that women can achieve a worldwide balance of leadership when they are recognized, cultivated, and encouraged as leaders.”
"How can a man be his own Shero?" This concept encapsulates the idea of actively championing gender equality, supporting women in leadership roles, and fostering inclusivity in all spaces. It involves acknowledging and learning from diverse perspectives, understanding the impact of systemic biases, and advocating for the recognition and empowerment of women. Ultimately, being one's own Shero means embodying values of respect, humanity, and collective impact to create a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to leadership and societal progress.
ATHENA of the Triangle
Founded in 2014, ATHENA of the Triangle is a licensee of programs developed by ATHENA International, a non-profit organization founded on the deeply held belief that women can achieve a worldwide balance of leadership when they are recognized, cultivated, and encouraged as leaders.
Find out more at athenatriangle.org!
Love Is A Parable- an initiative and movement that later became an organization within itself. Love is A Parable is a DBA and subsidiary of Altar and Dwelling Place, Inc. We are a charitable and educational 501c3 organization, that provides character, social, and leadership development to those who have an aspiration toward unity, love, and kindness through a reflective thinking approach and sacred-box theory that involves value-based education.
J. Dwayne Garnett, BSRT, MHA, QP
Chief Executive Officer
Love Is A Parable
Available for Empowerment Speaking Engagements, Consultations, Uncovering Sessions, and Instruction.
Find out more about J by clicking HERE!