I know a lot of companies use Women’s History Month to donate to organizations or to recognize kick ass women.  Those things are important and needed, but if you’re like me, and you wonder “how can I support women year round” or how to do it in a long term, sustainable way, I use WHM as a reminder to check in on my actions throughout the year.  It’s nice to have a whole month dedicated to this, but I want to remember to support women on a regular basis. 

I’ll preface this by saying that supporting women does not mean I don’t support men.  In our culture, supporting men is the default.  Many of the companies we support, the products we spend our money on, the media we choose, generally support men.  I don’t have to think about supporting men because I’m already doing it automatically due to the way our society is structured.

Here are some of my sustainable ways to support women:

Female Musicians: When I make a playlist, I notice a lot of my go to music is by male artists.  I seek out female artists to balance them out and introduce myself to female musicians like on my Superwomxn Workout playlist.

Female Contractors: Whenever possible, I try to hire and pay women for services I need.  When I first started my business, my coaches, assistants, and contractors were all men.  Now I have a mixture.  Female photographers I have worked with are Michelle Kenyon, Holli Zenko, and Ashley Batz.  I also use Time Etc. for my virtual assistants that are U.S. based and have skills I’m not great at!

Female Cannabis Brands: I choose to get my weed through women owned companies like Sava and Kikoko.  If you live in the Bay Area and are 21 years and older, you can get a discount on Sava with my code Barbellblondie. Helping women and getting high? What could be better!

Female Films: I make sure to watch, share, and talk about female centered/produced/directed films like Thunderforce, Booksmart, Hustlers, Lady Bird, Captain Marvel

Female Authors: At bookstores (yes, I still buy books), I check that I’m purchasing from female authors as well as the male authors I grew up with.  My favorite female authors include Cheryl Strayed, Lindy West, Ruth Ozeki, Celeste Ng, Megan Miranda, Jen Sincero, and Luvvie Ajayi

Female Coworkers: If I’m asked to make recommendations at work for new hires, I include female candidates and give shoutouts to female coworkers.  

Female Charities: When I want to make a charitable donation, I try to send my money somewhere that directly impacts women. Girls on the Run and Planned Parenthood provide women and girls with services I can get behind.

Check in questions to keep women’s success top of mind:

• Could I buy this from a female owned company?

• Could I hire a woman for this?

• Can I include more women on this list?

• Are there women I know personally who could use my support?

• How am I showing up for my female friends?

Have other ways to support women in a sustainable, ongoing way?  Please comment below!

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