What Issues are Unique to Women?

As women, we comprise 51% of the U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). Although we make up the majority of the people in the U.S. and, in fact, the world, we've had a history where we had to push to get some of the most basic rights held by men but denied to us.

And look what we've accomplished. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (7/95), in 1970, 20% of men and 13% of women at 25 had a bachelor's degree. Now, among the youngest group of post-college adults, this gap has been closed entirely. In fact the majority of college students are now female.

Women have made other leaps as well. The Center for Women's Business Research (4/11/95 and 5/6/03) reports that one in 11 women is a business owner. Between 1997 and 2002, women-owned businesses grew by more than 1.5 times the rate of all privately-held firms. Employment in these businesses increased by more than twice the national average. These women-owned businesses now employ 35% more people in the U.S. than the Fortune 500 companies employ worldwide!

And yet, many of us allow ourselves to feel small or weak. Others struggle to find a sense of personal power-and even outrageousness-without giving up our femininity, our nurturing and our uniqueness as women. There are powerful, successful female role models in the world who many of us look up to. How can we have what they have and still be who we are?

 

How The Option Institute Can Help

At the core, it is critical for us as women to examine our self-judgments and other self-limiting beliefs about our roles and our power. In terms of our own internal experience of our lives, nothing is more important than looking at the messages we send ourselves-our beliefs and perspectives about who we are and what our place is in the world.

We can help you look at your innermost emotions and uncover your most deeply-held beliefs-all in an environment that is both safe and fun.

In particular, our signature program for women, Exceptional Woman, can enable you, with a group of other women, to share with one another; and, if you choose, to change some key perspectives about yourself. You'll have the opportunity to heal old wounds, take new risks and to come out more self-empowered-and self-accepting-than you might have ever felt in your entire life.