The Spaces We Will Fill

I had a conversation with a friend and mentee of mine regarding being in male dominated fields and reflecting on it. Yes, I am sure a lot of people are tired of hearing male dominated field this, male dominated field that but it's the world we live in.

Talk about the world we live in...

Flash Back

Let's go back to November 2024, the day after the elections we were hosting an event with another group. All women, all trying to get into or currently in the technology and cyber spaces. I will never forget I was on the bus full of emotions much like many women did that day... In my head and teary eyed, I asked how can I show up for others, especially other women when it seemed that the world was completely against us.

Against us:

• Being There

• Holding Up Space

• Having a Seat at the Table

During the event it felt amazing. To be amongst each other, being strong, happy and enjoying our event as we should

Current Day

Now, in the current day, I think back to that moment often.

Because the conversation it reminded me that this work is not theoretical. It is personal.

When we talk about women in male-dominated fields, we are not just talking about statistics. We are talking about real people with real dreams, real fears, real bills, real goals, real families, and real moments of doubt.

We are talking about the woman who is afraid to speak up in a meeting because she does not want to be labeled difficult.

We are talking about the student who wants to enter cybersecurity but does not see anyone who looks like her.

We are talking about the professional who is tired of being underestimated.

We are talking about the leader who carries the weight of being “the first,” “the only,” or “the example.”

We are talking about the mentee who just needs someone to say, “You are not crazy. You are not imagining it. And you do belong.”

That is why I continue to show up.

• Not because it is always easy.

• Not because I always feel confident.

• Not because I have all the answers.

  
  

Because I know what it feels like to need a reminder that you are not alone.

So yes, we may still be talking about male-dominated fields.

But maybe the real conversation is bigger than that.

Maybe it is about power.

Maybe it is about belonging.

Maybe it is about who gets encouraged to dream boldly and who gets told to be realistic.

Maybe it is about making sure the next woman does not have to fight as hard just to be seen.

And maybe it is about remembering that even when the world feels against us, we can still be for each other.

• We can still build.

• We can still lead.

• We can still mentor.

• We can still take up space.

We can still create rooms where women feel safe, seen, heard, and celebrated.

Because we are not asking for permission to belong.

We already do and together we can conquer anything.