A Women’s History Month Feature | Talk To Ingrid
There is something sacred about the moment a woman realizes she was not created to simply exist — she was created to impact. Not just to live…but to lead. Not just to survive…but to shape the future. Every year when Women’s History Month arrives, I find myself reflecting not only on the women who changed the world — but on the quiet moment when I realized I was responsible for making my own HERstory too. That realization is powerful. Because history is not just what happened yesterday. HERstory is what women are brave enough to create today. And if you’re reading this right now, there is a good chance that like me, you feel it in your spirit — that pull toward something bigger. A mission. A calling. A legacy. For me, my Talk To Ingrid brand was born from that space. A place where women could be reminded of who they are. A place where ambition and purpose could coexist. A place where we could boldly declare: We are not waiting for permission to lead. We are here to build. We are here to influence. We are here to create generational impact. And the truth is…women who have come before us have already proven that when women rise, entire nations rise with them.
The Power of Women Who Refuse to Play Small
One of the things I admire most about the women who inspire me is that they never asked the world for validation before stepping into their power. They simply decided. Decided they were worthy. Decided their voice mattered. Decided their dreams were possible. Women like Oprah Winfrey, who turned her story into a global movement. Oprah once said something that continues to resonate deeply with me: “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” That quote alone is a masterclass in leadership. Because every woman building something meaningful will face moments of doubt. Moments when the world tries to convince her that her ambition is “too much.” But queens don’t shrink. They build anyway. And Oprah did exactly that. She didn’t just become a media icon — she built a billion-dollar empire, created educational opportunities for girls across the globe, and reshaped conversations around leadership, purpose, and empowerment. That is what happens when a woman embraces her calling. She becomes a force multiplier for others.
Women’s Empowerment Is Not Just Inspiration — It Is Global Strategy
Now let’s talk about something that many people may not realize. Women’s empowerment is not just a feel-good idea. It is one of the most powerful economic and national security strategies in the world. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the McKinsey Global Institute, and UN Women, empowering women economically and politically dramatically increases national stability and economic growth. Here are a few facts that deserve more attention:
• If women participated in the global economy at the same rate as men, global GDP (Gross Domestic Product- represents the total monetary or market value of all final goods and services produced within a specific territory or globally during a set time period. It is the primary indicator used to measure the size and health of the world economy.) could increase by $28 trillion by 2025 (according to the McKinsey Global Institute).
• Countries with higher gender equality experience lower levels of violent conflict and extremism.
• Studies from the U.S. Institute of Peace show that women’s participation in leadership and community development reduces the likelihood of terrorism and radicalization.
• Communities that invest in women entrepreneurs see higher reinvestment into families, education, and local infrastructure.
Let that sink in. When you empower a woman…You strengthen a family…You strengthen an economy…You strengthen a nation. This is why women in leadership is not optional. It is essential.
The Women Who Inspired Me to Dream Bigger
Every woman who steps into her leadership journey has a few women whose example helped ignite her confidence. For me, there are a few women that have been an inspiration and their journeys have been impactful to me as they all share something powerful and in common. They are unapologetic about who they are. As I mentioned earlier, Oprah Winfrey to me is “The Architect of Possibility”. Oprah didn’t just break barriers in media — she redefined what influence looks like. She taught women that success isn’t just about money. It’s about impact, authenticity, and service. Through the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, she has helped educate hundreds of young women who will go on to become global leaders. That is legacy. Kimora Lee Simmons to me exemplifies “The Power of Owning Your Brand”. Kimora has always fascinated me because she built something many women didn’t believe was possible at the time. She turned Baby Phat and the KLS brand into a cultural fashion empire worth hundreds of millions. And she once said something I absolutely love: “I’ve always believed that you can be glamorous and powerful at the same time.” For women entrepreneurs especially, Kimora represents something important: You do not have to abandon your femininity to build an empire. This has always been a personal belief of mine. You can lead with style, confidence, creativity, and authority. Jennifer (J.Lo) Lopez to me exemplifies “Reinvention as a Leadership Strategy”. Jennifer is the embodiment of resilience and reinvention. From dancer to actress to singer to global businesswoman, she has consistently refused to let the world put her in a single box. One of my favorite quotes from her is: “Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for.” Women often hesitate before taking big leaps. J.Lo reminds us that clarity of identity is one of the greatest leadership tools we possess. Beyoncé to me exemplifies “The Power of Cultural Leadership”. Beyoncé didn’t just become one of the most influential artists in the world. She turned her platform into a cultural movement celebrating Black excellence, womanhood, and power. Her words are simple but profound: “Power is not given to you. You have to take it.” That message resonates deeply in a world where women have historically been told to wait their turn. Beyoncé reminds us that sometimes leadership begins with simply saying: “I belong here.”
Women In History We Don’t Talk About Enough
Now I want to shine light on two women whose impact globally is enormous — yet many people rarely hear their names in everyday conversations. These women represent the kind of leadership that quietly transforms entire economies. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the first woman and first African Director-General of the World Trade Organization. But before that, she served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and helped negotiate billions of dollars in debt relief for her country. Her work directly impacted economic development for millions of people. She once said: “If you educate a girl, you empower a nation.” And she has spent decades turning that belief into policy and economic reform. C.J. Walker (Madam C.J. Walker) Many people know Madam C.J. Walker as America’s first self-made female millionaire. But what often gets overlooked is her philanthropy and community development leadership. She funded scholarships, supported civil rights initiatives, and invested heavily in Black women’s economic empowerment in the early 1900s. Her success created opportunities for thousands of women entrepreneurs. She proved something powerful: When women build wealth, they build communities.
Women Entrepreneurs Are Economic Engines
Let’s talk about something I believe strongly in. Women entrepreneurs are not just business owners. We are economic architects. In the United States alone according to current research:
• Women-owned businesses generate over $2 trillion in revenue annually.
• Women own 42% of all businesses in America.
• Women entrepreneurs employ over 9 million people.
And globally, women reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their families and communities, compared to 30–40% for men (United Nations data). That difference changes everything. Because when women succeed economically: Children get educated…Families build stability…Communities grow stronger. This is why supporting women entrepreneurs is not charity. It is strategy.
Women in Leadership Strengthen Nations
When women hold leadership roles in government, corporations, and community organizations, research consistently shows measurable improvements in outcomes. Countries with higher female representation in leadership experience:
• Stronger education systems
• Lower corruption rates
• Higher economic growth
• More peaceful societies
Even the U.S. National Intelligence Council has noted that empowering women contributes to national stability and security. That means every woman stepping into leadership is not just advancing her career. She is helping shape the future of society.
My Personal Mission to Make HERstory
For me, making HERstory is not about fame. It’s about impact. Through Talk To Ingrid, through my content, through every conversation I have with women stepping into their purpose… My mission is simple. I want women to understand that the dream inside of them is not random. God divinely placed it there. God did not create women to be silent observers of the world. He created us to be builders, visionaries, innovators, and leaders. When women embrace their calling: Businesses are launched… Communities are transformed… Movements are created. Sometimes…entire generations are changed.
The Leadership Our World Needs Right Now
We are living in a moment where leadership matters more than ever, and the world needs what women bring to the table. Compassion…Collaboration…Strategic thinking…Community-centered leadership. These are not weaknesses. They are superpowers. Women know how to build ecosystems — not just empires, and that kind of leadership is exactly what the future requires.
A Message to Every Woman Reading This
If you have ever felt the pull to start something…A business…A movement…A nonprofit…A platform. That feeling is not an accident. It is a calling, and the truth is… Somewhere in the future, a young woman may look at your story the same way we look at Oprah, Beyoncé, or Madam C.J. Walker today. She may find the courage to pursue her dream because you pursued yours first. That is how HERstory is written. One brave decision at a time.
Ingrid’s Signature Conclusion
So as we celebrate Women’s History Month, I want to leave you with a question that I ask myself often. What story will your life tell? Will it be the story of a woman who played small because the world told her to? Or will it be the story of a woman who boldly stepped into her purpose and built something that changed lives? Because the truth is…History remembers women who dared to lead. Women who dared to build. Women who dared to believe their dreams were bigger than their fears, and I believe with everything in me that you are one of those women. So this month — and every month moving forward — I want you to remember something important. You are not just living your life. You or a woman you know that needs your encouragement are writing HERstory, and the world is waiting to see what you/they create next. Now for a Talk To Ingrid Moment: If this message spoke to your spirit, I invite you to share this blog with another woman who is on a mission to build something meaningful. Because empowered women don’t compete. We collaborate…We elevate…And we remind each other of the power we carry. If you ever need a reminder of that power…You already know where to find me. On Instagram at @talktoingrid or at www.italktoingrid.com.
Let’s stay connected,
Ingrid