Blog 1: Voice

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”
-Malala Yousafzai

When we think of the term ‘voice’, it is usually about the sounds we utter; the tones used; and the emotions connected with those tones.

Cambridge English Dictionary says ‘voice’ is “an expression of opinion, or the right to express an opinion”.

These two ideas or definitions represent ‘voice’ as both a verb and a noun.

This blog is about both the sounds (noun) that women utter to tell their “own” story and when they “share” their own opinions with the emphasis on ‘voice’ as a verb.

Another definition of ‘voice’ is from traditional grammar where ‘voice’ is active or passive. Does the subject act (active voice) or is the subject acted upon (passive voice)?

This definition could imply that women may often feel acted upon – the passive ‘voice’. Someone else determined who they were and how they were to act. The active voice would suggest that women know their ‘voice’ – who they are and how they act.

I am saddened to hear women say that they found their ‘voice’ later in life. They moved from passive – who others wanted them to be to active – speaking for themselves! It is sad because the world has lost an important contributing voice of influence.

“When we don’t speak up – the world loses an important voice!”

Join me in a discussion of when and how you found your ‘voice’ and how you use it for ‘influence’.

active voice, contribution, lead, learn, listen, live, passion, voice, women