Why is this a crucial time in history for the question of women and legacy? There is a confluence of factors that make this a particularly salient time for embracing legacy. The first is that we are living longer. We are experiencing an extended and vibrant mid-life the ramifications of which have yet to be fully explored. Further, women are successful in ways that were rare in previous generations. There is a surge of women who have “proven themselves” professionally and are still asking “what’s next?” Not in the restless way of never being, doing, or having enough, but in the deep sense of a call to purpose that has not yet found completion.
And yes, women do want to give back. A friend made an interesting comment to me that “giving back” implies that it’s OK to take more than one needs. It may, and this would be consistent with the shadow side of legacy. Certainly, we have witnessed in recent years the way some business owners act unethically, gain huge profits for the shareholders, and then donate large sums to charity. Then, they are recognized for their good works. We’re not at a loss for examples of the shadow of legacy.
Yet, so many of the women I talk with do think in terms of giving back because they feel gratitude. They are grateful for what they have, grateful for their success, and exquisitely aware that they did not get to where they are today on their own.
Young women are entering the workforce with greater opportunities. They are coming of age when there are more models of women in leadership. And women’s styles of leadership are being recognized as distinct and necessary for the changing realities of a more global awareness. The ability to lead with collaborative engagement is much more common and valued than in the past. We are more aware of how our actions politically, economically, and environmentally have a profound impact around the world. Gone are the days of the maverick, the cowboy, or the good old-fashioned isolationist. Whether we like it or not, our business practices, our lending practices, even the choices we make about how we feed ourselves profoundly affect people both around the world and here at home.
What can I possibly do that would make a difference? My question is not what would make a difference but, first, what is yours to do?
Historically, women have rarely been invited to consider their legacies. A woman’s children were considered her legacy. Raising children that are physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy is an incredible legacy. And, that is one possibility among endless choices. The point is that women get to choose and the choices available are far greater than was true for the women who came before us. This is a unique time in history for women to open their minds to the enormous impact their legacies will have on the world.
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