The Importance of Feminine Leadership
A Recap of our First Dinner with Darlings
Last Wednesday, Dare to Detour hosted its first-ever Dinner with Darlings event, and it was a truly remarkable evening of connection, shared experiences, and empowerment. The gathering brought together a diverse group of women who showed up fully and embraced the spirit of the event.
As the evening began and the women started to arrive, many nervously shared how their husbands were surprised that they were going to the dinner solo - oh, my Daring Darlings! And then somehow, our conversation shifted to our celebrity crushes?! (Ummmmm, Brad Pitt forever!) However, what made the evening truly special was the willingness of every single woman to open up and share her thoughts and experiences without hesitation. Each Darling showed up fully with genuine authenticity and vulnerability, which was inspiring for me to witness and an honor to hold space for.
Throughout the night, we experienced a full range of emotions. We laughed a ton, some tears were shed, and animated discussions took place. As our evening drew to a close, I decided to stand up and share something on my heart: feminine leadership.
I wanted to emphasize the importance of women stepping into their role as feminine leaders, and by that, I mean one who leads her life with compassion, collaboration, and connection. To me, feminine leadership doesn't necessarily mean adopting a feminist ideology but rather fostering a sense of community and building bridges across differences such as faith, political beliefs, and personal perspectives.
Women host "gatherings" of their own all the time... in their homes, in their makerspaces, or in their businesses. So in doing so, how profound would it be if we actively sought out connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints? I cannot emphasize enough the importance of finding a middle ground and creating spaces where dialogue and understanding can thrive. For example, sitting next to two women with differing perspectives, I felt a comforting squeeze on my leg when discussing the importance of finding that solid middle ground. To me, that is the epitome of feminine leadership.
I know for a fact that there were many more women of different beliefs and backgrounds in attendance that night. And still, every single one Dared to open up and share her thoughts and experiences without hesitation. EVERYONE showed up fully with genuine authenticity and vulnerability. That is courageous. And it was inspiring for me to witness and an honor to hold space for.
Amidst all the takeaways from this first event, one sentiment echoed throughout - the importance of staying connected. With 22 women gathered around a table, it was a poignant reminder of the shared desire for connection and understanding among us as women.
Strength and support can always be found in community.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how these connections and newfound inspiration play out! The inaugural Dinner with Darlings event has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on me.
Take a look at the cities I'm heading to and stay tuned for upcoming events.
