The Power of Women's Friendships

In reviewing the survey responses, I have found some interesting statistics. In response to the question "Who encouraged you to consider your contribution to the world?", women responded "friend" most frequently. In fact, there has been a trading off of the first place answer to this question between "friend" and "teacher." Both are fascinating. And both responses are more frequent than either "mother" or "father".

Most of us may not be surprised by the importance of friendships to women. But I am pleasantly surprised to see that the development of one's legacy is a focus of these friendships. I am curious to know about the context of these discussions. I know, for myself, these discussions are a natural part of a women's group that I belong to. But I am sure the issue of one's contribution to the world happens in all kinds of friendship circles, whether it is volunteering together, working together, supporting each other in parenting, mentoring another woman, etc.

What is your experience with friendships helping you to define your leagcy?

Comments

[raquel]

Some of my best friends (either male or female) work in the same field as I do, either as performers or as teachers. To have both a friend and a "co-worker" is intense because both sides can be uplifted or diminished. Once you learn to overcome difficulties, friendship becomes more powerful and you learn along the way. Positive confrontation as part of moving forward is part of friendship, isn't it?

[Amelia Royko Maurer]

After growing up surrounded by women, around my mom and her "gang" of wild women friends, it feels normal to have the sister-close friends that I do. They are essential, period. We are constantly banding together for various purposes and looking for critique and support. We cheer each other on. We hang on tight. We test our independence of one another. We share our dreams and accomplishments. I find that nearly all of the causes and the projects I take on involve engaging in camaraderie with women friends and just women in general, who are also charged by that kind of camaraderie.