Stereotypes and negative connotations can be harmful, causing a detrimental effect on your confidence, performance, and interest, often leading to anxiety and depression.

Women have been stereotyped for years with ridiculous notions of lack of ability, potential, and intelligence. When we discuss the financial inequalities against women, the conversations are vast; we touch on the intersections of discrimination, looking to understand and deconstruct subjective power and privilege.

Powerful

I believe that the power of women is feared and unrecognised due to the narrative that men are more capable. Physically, men may have a different genetic makeup than women, sometimes making them stronger, but that does not make them more significant than women. This is the narrative we are working to change and eradicate!

Cougar

Leopard print on women can suddenly grab attention and have a negative connotation, making no sense. Firstly, it is just a piece of cloth and reflective of a fun personality. Secondly, this idea is different from the intention of the 'Mountain Lion.' Known for their sleek and graceful nature.

Justice

In recent years, women have started to push back from misogyny. Cougar is one example of the misogynistic slag of women, referring to women over forty dating, to be one seeking sexual advances from younger men.

The argument is that real cougars are ambitious, confident, successful women who happen to be single.

Mountain Lions

Commonly known as the Leopard, the mountain lion was featured in early Egyptian iconography, and temples revered the domestic cat. The leopard skin was used to depict priests and royalty and was seen in the coronation of King Charles III in his robe, acceptable for some and not others.

The skin was also found in the tomb of Tutankhamun and gracefully depicted in the imagery of Princess Nefertiabet.

Goddess

More interestingly, Sashet was the leopard-clad goddess of learning and writing, disseminating important intellectual and spiritual teachings.

Emotional Intelligence

It's interesting to note that SASHET is an acronym for emotional intelligence or EQ.

Success results from multiple factors in our lives coming together and aligning to help us achieve our goals. External influences, such as our environment and social and political factors, can directly impact our ability to function and proceed as planned.

Resilience

Subsequently, resilience is key to placing ourselves in a position to achieve our goals, no matter what comes our way.

The way we handle stress and difficult situations determines the level and speed of our success. The ability to identify, regulate, and adapt are valuable skills to master and can lead to success. The tools shared with members aim to improve all areas of well-being, including financial, physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual.

Ascend

It's time to break away from the stereotypes imposed on women and, metaphorically, put on our mountain lion and climb to the top.