By Rebecca Lilley for Osprey UK Associates Ltd
Empowerment is defined as: ‘The process of becoming stronger and more confident; especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.’
Before I flew to Dubai for the first time; I thought female empowerment meant success, status and seniority in business. I held a fixed view on empowerment. I pictured a wealthy, cold, single woman. A hostile woman, who is reserved. I thought that a women is only empowered for as long as she is wealthy and successful.
I arrived in Dubai for the first time amidst the UK National Lockdown. On the flight, I remember thinking this is a gamble. I am lucky to be flying amidst a national lockdown. I am scared but excited: alone entering the unknown. On the flight the word ‘empowerment’ crossed my mind again. Was that what I truly wanted and how does ‘empowerment’ translate across the globe?
The BeingShe global empowerment pageant is not an outdated beauty pageant with a traditional fixed portrayal of beauty. The platform prides itself on empowerment in the expression of utilising unique talents for the greater good. BeingShe empowers in the following ways:
- Educating contestants on dress code and etiquette.
- Educating contestants on practical tools for a healthy mind, body and spirit.
- Taking time in depth to understand each contestant as a person: unique talents, motivations and visions for the future.
The one week preparation before the Grand Finale was an in – depth exploration of a woman’s strengths and weaknesses; understanding each woman as an individual and developing their inner potential. Each finalist had their own talent to offer, each with their own vision. Their own special story to have made it as a global finalist, amongst thousands of applicants.
The carefully planned pageant programme consisted of meeting a nutritionist, motivational speakers, health and well being experts. For the talent round I wrote a poem, one finalist made a sustainable dress, some sung and danced in cultural dress.
To assume I came 2nd runner up in BeingShe 2020 Universe and felt empowered is an assumption. To say I had a tiara placed on my head and automatically knew all the answers to female empowerment, is also not true.
But the sense of pride, achievement and belonging was successful in me feeling empowered and enlightening others. The sense of empowerment wearing the BeingShe sash and tiara: priceless. Having lost my banking job a few months before and not having direction to channel my creative endeavours: I felt most women in my inner circle couldn’t quite relate to me.
Women by their nature are adaptive, multi – faceted, multi- skilled and multi – talented. Inner strength yet innate mental resilience make us a strong yet caring force of nature.
I thank Osprey UK Associates for sponsoring my trip to Dubai. The pageant experience empowered yet grounded me. It helped me accept my vulnerabilities and I could still develop my inner potential in the process.
Each finalist explored and finalised their own unique version of female empowerment and were mentored into how to take this forward.
My empowerment vision is for women to nurture and harness their creativity as a form of self expression. Investing in creativity is perfect for innovation and in the process boosts women’s confidence leading to empowerment. Women by their nature are adaptive: innovative in their unique way of handling scenarios and finding solutions.
My vision is for women to learn to express themselves through creativity without fear of judgment and move into the direction of inner peace.
From a place of inner peace: empowerment will arise.
Osprey UK Associates has taught me the importance of marketing & branding. Whether we like it or not; we are our personal brands: leaving a digital footprint wherever we go. I was proud to be sponsored by Osprey UK Associates: a female-led business which is built upon trust, integrity and value. But what do these ethics mean for a personal brand?
Osprey ask new clients all the right questions but also as importantly, the difficult questions: What is your businesses USP? What are the realistic timescales to achieve your objectives? What are your contingency plans in a post covid world?
Osprey have a structured, pragmatic yet idealistic approach to marketing. (One of their many bespoke services to the modern business: a service that knows how to adapt.) By idealistic, we mean that Osprey value the visuals; taking time to understand vision: producing quality aesthetics that the client expects for their brand. Osprey understand that ‘content is king.’
Pragmatic by nature: Osprey understand that to add value in the delivery of their services there must be a carefully crafted marketing plan. Osprey incorporate the brand’s visions into a profitable reality.
Thank you Osprey UK Associates for investing in my inner potential when I was down on my luck. Thank you for making my vision a true reality. Annette, CEO, your personal and professional mentorship has helped lead me to a place of empowerment.
Osprey taught me that no matter my next event, career direction or life choice: If my personal brand is built on trust, integrity and value, like Osprey UK Associates and BeingShe: I will succeed.
Article by Rebecca Lilley - www.passagetopoise.com
Winner of Beauty & Brains
Rebecca Lilley 2nd Runner up: Global Beauty @beingshetm
https://www.beingshe.com/beingshe-excellence/
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