Portrait de la Directrice Générale d'Ofa Karri : "Ce que signifie être une femme, pour moi"

Ahhh, being a woman. What a divine and complex privilege. What a journey of self-discovery, of deep connection… and sometimes of fierce struggle against societal pressures. Whether you have been on this path since birth or have had to fight to get there, you probably agree: it’s the rollercoaster of a lifetime.

Hormones and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"

The biological subtleties of being a woman can be… intense. We juggle cycles, hormonal rollercoasters, and this almost superhuman ability to create and give life to mini versions of ourselves. How is this not considered the greatest superhuman feat of all time? Whether or not we decide to use it, this biological prowess is incredibly underestimated.

But these superpowers come at a price… every month. I’ve always hated the cliché of the "time of the month" used to minimize our legitimate emotions. Yet, we have to admit: it can get intense. This "Voldemort" phase is often treated as a shameful secret that shouldn’t be discussed, when it is precisely what makes human life possible!

Yes, my hormones influence my mood. Some days, I am unable to tell if glaring at someone is excessive or if crying my eyes out at the death of Bambi’s mother is a normal reaction to a tragedy.

3 a.m. besties and cheerleaders              

But isn’t it a true privilege to belong to a gender that naturally gravitates towards connection? Whether it’s your new 3 a.m. best friend met (yes, okay, maybe a little drunk) in a club bathroom, that woman who complimented your sweater, or your friend sharing her work struggles with you… we have this natural ability to connect, support, and confide in one another. It is deeply healing.

Over the years, I have learned to see vulnerability as a real strength. Imagine someone coming to confide something very personal to you, something they are afraid to share… Isn’t that an act of immense courage? Wouldn’t you feel much closer to that person? That is our true superpower: connecting authentically and taking care of others.

It is better to lift up your teams than to feed a lonely ego at the top. Women are much more powerful than they think! Isn’t that exact ability to care what makes a great leader? Taking care of one’s team rather than feeding a solitary ego at the top? Women are much more powerful than they think!

The Big Boss Capitalism

Let’s talk about the power dynamics we, as women, are caught in every day. As much as I’d like to say that others’ opinions on my body don't matter… let’s be honest: we are still constantly struck by the idea that a woman’s appearance defines her worth. Imagine if we all stopped worrying about being "prettier." Capitalism would collapse. Social networks wouldn’t be as addictive, because the need to compare would disappear. Anti-wrinkle cream ads would have no more "customer pain" to exploit. Finally, we would have the mental space to focus on our real life goals instead of trying to fit into a dress that’s too tight.

So, here is my tribute to women: trust that feminine intuition. Be vulnerable. Take care of others openly. Let your emotions carry you and feel all the ups and downs of life. You hold much more power than you think.

Happy International Women’s Day!

June,

CEO at Ofa Karri and of her own intuition