Every March, Women’s History Month rolls around, and without fail, someone asks, ‘Why do we even need this?’ After all, women are visible everywhere—leading businesses, breaking records, and making history in real-time. And yet, the fight for true equality rages on. So the question isn’t whether we still need Women’s History Month, but rather—why was it necessary in the first place? The answer is layered—historical, spiritual, and deeply personal. Women’s History Month isn’t just about celebrating the women who broke barriers. It’s about exposing who built those barriers, why they were put there, and how they’ve been used to hold us back. When we understand that, we gain the power to break through them.
For women on a personal growth journey, history isn’t just facts in a textbook. It’s a mirror reflecting where we’ve been, what we’ve overcome, and where we’re still bound by invisible chains. The patterns of oppression, limitation, and erasure that shaped our collective past still show up today—internally and externally. They affect how we see ourselves, our self-worth, and the limits we unconsciously accept.
To truly own our worth, we have to reclaim our history. And to do that, we need to go back to the beginning.
Before Patriarchy: When Women Were Sacred
Before recorded history, there was a time when women weren’t just equal—they were revered. Across early human societies, the divine feminine was at the center of life. The first deities weren’t male but female, represented in statues like the Venus of Willendorf (dating back over 25,000 years). These early cultures saw women as the life-givers, the wisdom keepers, the spiritual and communal leaders.
Matriarchal societies (which are not the same as female-dominated ones) thrived in places like ancient Crete, early Mesopotamia, and parts of Africa and Asia. In these societies, leadership was cooperative, power was shared, and The Divine (God) was seen as a balance of masculine and feminine energies.
But then, something shifted.
The Overthrow of the Feminine
With the rise of militarized societies, the power dynamics changed. As humanity moved from nomadic, cooperative groups to settled agricultural civilizations, a new system of control emerged—one that prioritized ownership, conquest, and hierarchy.
Around 3,000 BCE, patriarchal structures began taking hold, particularly in Indo-European and Semitic societies. Spiritual traditions were rewritten. Gods replaced goddesses. The feminine became secondary, then dangerous, then outright vilified.
Consider the story of Adam and Eve, used for millennia to justify women’s subordination. Eve, depicted as weak, deceitful, and responsible for human suffering, set the tone for how women were perceived in the Western world. The message? Women are flawed, untrustworthy, and in need of male control.
Similar narratives appear across cultures:
- Greek mythology painted women as trouble (Pandora, who opened the box of suffering).
- Hindu scriptures created caste-based limitations for women, restricting their rights.
- Christianity and Islam placed heavy restrictions on women’s roles in spiritual and social life.
Religious doctrine was written and weaponized to convince women they were less than—tying their worth to servitude, purity, and silence. Many early spiritual traditions emphasized harmony between masculine and feminine energies, with both seen as essential forces of creation. But as patriarchal societies rose to power, these beliefs were rewritten, reinterpreted, or erased—transforming once-balanced teachings into doctrines that placed men at the top and justified women’s subjugation. Once patriarchy took hold, controlling the present wasn’t enough—our entire history had to be rewritten to make sure we never questioned it.
How History Became a Tool of Control
Once patriarchal systems were in place, women’s contributions were erased. If you don’t know your history, you don’t know your power. That’s why it was deliberately hidden.
Women have always been inventors, warriors, rulers, and philosophers. But how many of us were taught about:
- Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs?
- Hypatia, a brilliant mathematician and philosopher in ancient Alexandria?
- Queen Nzinga, a 17th-century African ruler who resisted Portuguese colonization?
Instead, history books painted women as passive, secondary figures—wives, mothers, helpers.
This erasure affects us today. It feeds self-doubt. It makes us question whether we belong in leadership, in business, in creative pursuits. It’s why imposter syndrome disproportionately affects women. If you’ve never seen someone like you at the top, it’s harder to believe you can be there.
History Isn’t Just the Past—It’s Happening Now
Women’s History Month isn’t just about the past—it’s about the present. The battles our ancestors fought are resurfacing in new forms, especially in the fight for reproductive rights. Laws restricting bodily autonomy are appearing everywhere, echoing struggles we thought were behind us. It’s impossible not to think of The Handmaid’s Tale, where women’s bodies become state property. And yet, history reminds us that resistance is in our blood. We have always found ways to fight back—and win.
If we don’t acknowledge how history shaped our collective self-image, we stay stuck in limiting beliefs. We internalize the messages that tell us to shrink, to apologize, to defer. But when we see the truth—that women have always been powerful, capable, and brilliant—we begin to own that power ourselves.
Feminism Isn’t the Enemy—Ignorance Is
Now, let’s talk about the “f-word.” Feminism. A word that’s been twisted into something ugly, as if it means hating men, rejecting femininity, or tearing families apart. Let’s be honest—some feminists speak from a place of bitterness or exclusion, and their voices are loud. But they don’t define feminism, and they never did.
True feminism isn’t about supremacy—it’s about sovereignty. It’s about ensuring that every woman has the right to choose her own life, free from coercion or control. Whether that means leading a boardroom, raising a family, embracing softness, or standing in her power—it’s her choice.
The system wants us to believe feminism is the enemy because it threatens the status quo. When women demand respect, equal pay, autonomy, and leadership, society pushes back. And it doesn’t just push back with laws—it does so with narratives designed to make us doubt ourselves and turn against each other.
My feminism isn’t about tearing men down—it’s about building women up and reclaiming our rightful place. It’s about balance, not battle. It’s about recognizing that power should be shared, not hoarded. And the truth is, both men and women suffer under rigid gender roles. When we break free from them, we all win.
It’s time we stopped labeling women and using feminism as a bad word or character flaw. That’s exactly what the system wants. If you believe in choice, autonomy, and self-worth—congratulations, that’s what feminism is really about.
Final Thought: Reclaiming Our Worth Starts Now
History has tried to erase our power, but here’s the truth: You were never meant to shrink. You were never meant to stay silent. And you sure as hell weren’t meant to live small just to keep the world comfortable.
Reclaiming your worth isn’t just about knowing history—it’s about rewriting the story for yourself, right now. Here’s how you can start:
🔥 Rewrite Your Narrative
Look at the beliefs you’ve inherited about womanhood. Are they empowering or limiting? If they limit you, it’s time to unlearn and rewrite them.
🔥 Step Into Your Power—Without Apology
Stop waiting for permission. Speak up, negotiate your worth, and occupy the spaces meant for you.
🔥 Own Your Worth Daily
Your value isn’t tied to productivity or perfection. It’s intrinsic. If self-doubt creeps in, affirm your worth through daily reminders, journaling, and inner work.
🔥 Lift as You Climb
The system wants women divided, but we are stronger together. Support, mentor, and uplift other women. When we rise, we rise together.
🔥 Invest in Your Inner Growth
Want to take this journey deeper? My ebook, Rooted in Self-Worth, is packed with mindset shifts, journal prompts, and exercises to help you break free from limiting beliefs and fully own your power. Because your life belongs to YOU.
👉 Drop a 💪 in the comments if you’re ready to reclaim your worth!