I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss: Beyonce, Sheryl Sandberg, Anna Maria Chavez And More Join Forces To Ban The B-Word
The way society portrays ambitious women who take charge is part of the problem when it comes to empowering women to become leaders.
Ambitious women sometimes generate negative connotations from the media and society. Obviously, at Her Agenda where our motto is “no one ever slows her agenda” we do not conform to that ideology but to society at large, women with ambition are looked upon as being mean, or too aggressive.
“By middle school, girls are less interested in leadership than boys,” a new PSA produced by Lifetime and Lean In explains. Beyoncé, Condoleezza Rice, Jane Lynch, Sheryl Sandberg and others have come together in this PSA to bring the message to girls, parents and teachers to and encourage leadership in girls.
“Words matter. When a little boy asserts himself, he’s called a ‘leader.’ Yet when a little girl does the same, she risks being branded ‘bossy.’ Words like bossy send a message: don’t speak up or take the lead.”
Lean In has partnered with Girl Scouts to create a website full of leadership tips, and actvities to encourage girls to embrace their leadership qualities: BanBossy.com.
The conversation about the double standard women leaders face is gaining momentum within mainstream media. Even advertising companies have taken on a role as seen in this ad from Patene, and the latest #GirlsCan campaign from Covergirl. And the message of encouraging women to become their most ambitious selves will likely continue to elevate when Sony Pictures releases the movie version of Sandberg’s book “Lean In.”
What do you think of the message behind the “Ban Bossy” campaign? Have you had any negative experiences as a girl being labeled as bossy?
