This is what happens when a woman speaks up (and it isn't what you think 👀)

Hello beautiful soul

I love sharing newsletters that lift us up as women, but sometimes, I also have to remind us of where we really are.

This week is one of those weeks.

Since I began speaking more openly about the lived experiences of women—naming the fear, the silencing, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways patriarchy shows up—something predictable has been happening.

The pushback.
The telling off.
The tone-policing.
The performative outrage.

Last week, I shared a post about the fear women experience just walking through the world, given how many of us have experienced sexual assault at the hands of men.

One man replied with a single emoji: 🥱
Dismissive. Disrespectful.

But sadly, not surprising.

A man replied to my post last week with a single emoji: 🥱 It w... A man replied to my post last week with a single emoji: 🥱 It was about the fear women can experience around men in the workplace. (1 in 4... www.linkedin.com

This week, another man followed up publicly. Twice.
He told me to “grow up,” called me an “adult baby,” and accused me of dishonesty—for daring to name the truth of women’s experience.

Let me be clear:

My goal has never been to attack men. 
My goal is to call attention to what we are experiencing—every day.

If that makes some people feel uncomfortable, good.
Discomfort is the entry point to awareness.

What’s not okay is the scolding tone in DMs, comments, and messages.
What is okay—what’s actually welcome—is discourse.

Disagree if you must, but do it with respect. Meet me in conversation, not condemnation.

And this is what’s happening to you, too—in the workplace, in meetings, across life.

Maybe not in words as obvious as these, but in glances, eye-rolls, and subtle undermining.

But then... THIS. 

Hi Ruth

Thank you for standing up for these important issues. I just noticed someone commenting to you and calling you “adult baby” and get back to work. I reported it and the comment seems to have disappeared. Hope it has for you as well. Men who are really not men but rude beings should not have a voice.

Keep going strong!

Warmly, Esther

Sisterhood. Standing together. That's alongside the 260+ people who supported and 150+ comments. 

And then... THIS. 

Another man who at first was asking questions, sent me an invite to connect. In our conversation over a few messages he said:

Your posts have made me reflect deeply. I’m realising it might be time for me—as a man—to step back, listen more, and stop assuming I have the right answers. I’m still wrapping my head around it, but I want to support women’s leadership and be of service however I can.

THIS is what CAN happen when a woman speaks up. Thank you Michael. 

Sister: We have been gaslit into submission for too long. Taught to second-guess, to shrink, to self-censor.

It’s time we broke free from this ridiculousness.

Keep speaking.
Keep posting.
Keep sharing.

There are some who want us quiet—because they know our voices are powerful.

There are some who want us small—because our full expression threatens the very systems they cling to.

Enough.

This month, I’m hosting a free session for women inside Women Who Lead Sisterhood—and I want to invite you to join us.

The Sisterhood is my private community space for all of my group programmes. And for a short time at least, I’ve decided to open it up—free to access, to see what Blooms when women come together in safety and truth.

Session details:
"Say the Darn Thing: Speaking with courage, clarity and credibility"
📅 April 29th
🕓 4pm UK / 11am ET

Join us here.

This is your invitation to rise.
To take up space.
To back each other.
To keep telling the truth—even when it shakes the room.

Because our liberation—quite literally—depends on it.

We have a new episode on Women Who Lead, the podcast

What's even better is that you can WATCH or LISTEN, depending on your vibe. 

In the latest episode of Women Who Lead, I sit down with the brilliant Charmain Manning—CEO, strategic operator, and calm force for change—to explore what it really means to lead with resilience, clarity, and care.

Rooting for you always

Ruth x