Maybe it’s Witchcraft, maybe it’s Maybelline

Women’s Day- 9 August 2016

Women have come a long way from the 1930s, overcome the struggle, wrestled with our oppressors. Women currently hold 4.4 percent of Fortune 500 CEO roles. Women CEOs of the Fortune 500, updated as of October 16, 2015

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Wow! A whole 4.4 %! Thank you for showing us the meaning of success.

In spite of the constant concussion we suffer from hitting our heads on the Glass Ceiling, more and more enlightened women are rising above the shards of oppression.

We know now that our butt’s are perfect, our smile lights up the room and we have an insanely cool mind! We are way more than enough! In fact if we ever let our head down, it will only to be to admire our shoes!

I have been through many life challenges, and through it all I pulled up my big girl panties, slathered on my Vicious Red lipstick, strapped on my killer heels and strode out the front door to take on the next challenge. 

Lucky me it wasn’t in the 1770’s, when the British Parliament banned lipstick, saying that it had the power to seduce men into marriage and classified it as witchcraft!

Maybe it’s witchcraft, maybe it’s Maybelline!

Don’t for a moment, imagine that it was that easy! There were days when the panties gave me a painful wedgie, when the Vicious Red lipstick covered my teeth and I teetered and stumbled on those killer heels at the most inopportune times.

But even when I fell, I rose up. Stronger and more determined than before. That because I’m a survivor, in control of my life with the deep conviction that there is nothing I can’t achieve.

However, I am not alone, I do not exist in a vacuum. I am who I am because of the strong women who have come before me. Woman like, my mother, my grandmothers, my aunts and all those strong women who didn’t even recognise their own strength and leadership.

I have learnt that you can be strong and gentle, be intelligent and humble, be fierce and yet compassionate. 'If you aspire to be like a man, then you lack ambition', somebody famous once said. We are emotional beings with a strong sense of empathy and care. Do not let the world make you hard, when you’re soft, do not let hurt make you hate and do not let bitterness rob you of your sweetness which makes you woman.

Have the courage to confront other women who have hurt or offended you. Be that woman who teaches and elevates other women, not one who engages in backstabbing and whispering behind backs.

You are not alone! Be the example to the girl child who needs to still come up the ranks. Be a woman she can trust.

The time of bra-burning and unshaved underarms are long gone. It’s the time to celebrate your sensuality and womanity, to lead from a place of love and humanity and to be that person you want your daughters to become.

Vanitha Pillay