You know, after spending time with such incredible women this past Friday and Saturday, I have to say that I am so proud to be a woman. As I listened to the stories of other women, I couldn’t help but be deeply moved and inspired by their resiliency and their all encompassing passion for life. These women were living lives that were challenging and fulfilling, frustrating and rewarding, and they were not only there to network with others and receive advice, help and support, but each one was so willing to be there for others.

I learned a lot, received valuable information, met wonderful women who didn’t think twice about walking up to me to help me promote and share my music.

I didn’t really have any idea what I was getting into. Cheryl and I are an interesting pair. Though she is very creative, Cheryl’s background is from the field of academia and research. I’m an artist, a musician who has spent most of her life writing poetry, stories and songs. As a result, I spent a great deal of time alone.

Of course, there’s overlap, but perhaps, one cay say that I observe life and Cheryl studies it, and that our perceptions/conclusions and resulting beliefs…and perhaps other things a lot bigger than we are…have brought us together. Still our different backgrounds make for an interesting mix, and sometimes a bit of an adjustment as we explore one another’s world.

Cheryl’s friend, Pat Gadsden organized this event, and it was their world that I entered into. When I began to realize “who” was sitting at my table and the calibar of women at this event, I started to feel like a 12 year old among women. But by the end of that first evening, I realized I belonged here.

Here were my sisters. Here were women who were making their dreams come true, and central to their dream, was the commitment and burning desire to serve others.

Does this relate to relational aggression? You bet it does. It’s the other side of it. And sometimes, in taking a good look at what’s wrong, we need to take an even longer look at what’s right, because the strength and beauty and power of being a woman and sisterhood is very real.

And that makes me proud.

Demian - Songs of Empowerment