BREAK THE NORM!

"Well-behaved Women seldom make history" ~ Laurel Thatcher

The above quote has been in my head for weeks now!  I long to accomplish great and noble things with my life.  Growing up has taught me that my chief duty is to consistently accomplish small goals as if they were big.  I also want to create a brand that will leave a legacy for my children and make history.  That sounds big isn't it?  Well, the point of this article is not to dwell on my big dreams, but to empower the mind of a woman who wants to achieve.

Societal expectations can be both limiting and shaping at the same time.  Most of us are raised to fear the Lord, respect the elders, get education and stay on the right side of the law... to mention just a few.  More to these 'human-shaping' attributes mentioned, a women's list of expectations carries on to the next page! From clothes we supposed to wear to jobs we can do.  I am that old-fashion woman who still believes a man is the head of the house, and that I should be in the kitchen where I'm supposed to be LOL! However, when it comes to my destiny, I'm prepared to break rules!!!

Now if you are a woman and you want to make something out of your life and change the world (so we believe), you need to be prepared to sometimes break the norm. You need to embrace the fact that some Sundays you will not be seen at Church, at times you will not make the time to cook dinner for your family.  At times the law WILL find you guilty (Pay your taxes & catch a cab from a night out LOL).  Whatever the case maybe, think of all the incredible women who have made it against all odds.  Women who broke rules, laws and Societal expectations of how a well-behaved woman should be, in order to get what they wanted.  Mama Lilian Ngoyi is one of incredible women of our history, who broke laws and was prepared to be jailed to have a voice.  Mama Dr. Nkosazana Zuma defied tradition and divorced her husband despite strong Nguni/Zulu traditions against women divorcing their husbands.  She is also known as a female politician with a no-nonsense attitude when it comes to getting a job done.  Mama Helen Zille, many young people don't know that this incredible woman played a very instrumental role in defying the apartheid rules in South Africa.  She is the Journalist that exposed the truth behind the death in police custody of Steve Biko and others.  And many other incredible work she's contributed towards our democracy.

In our economy, we have incredible lionesses, women whose nails cuts through hard surfaces. Mama Wendy Luhabe, Mama Precious Motsepe, Khanyi Dhlomo to mention a few - Women who are very active in the economy of our country, not only by 'Surname' inherited, but individual power and hunger for financial independence.  These women keep defying cultural norms that are limiting to their success but their feet remain solid on the ground.

Once again society perceives the Entertainment & Modeling industry as just "passing time" space.  Fair enough, as the people in it portrays it that way.  However, there are strong women with purpose who enter this space and cut through boundaries!  Basetsana Khumalo, Jo-Ann Straus who turned their passion into purpose and created a huge BUT after the "Pretty Face No Brains" stereotype.

Now the above women, and those I have not mentioned never "Well-behaved" according to what they are expected to be as women.  They were and some are still called names based on cultural expectations.  However, they keep making history, licking finger and turning page on their life thesis. What about you?  Are you still waiting to finish a year before you tell your boss what your career aspirations are and that your current duties are not in inline with what you would like to achieve?  Only because in your 'world' no one has ever 'complained' on her first year at work (Be happy you have a job!).  Are you still holding on to that unhealthy abusive relationship/marriage because of those "What would people say" "It would be a shame" sick lines?  Are you in a job/career that you 100% suck in just because "We are a family of Lawyers"..  You like that Red Lipstick on your friend's lips and you want to try it, but "I never put on a lipstick before and my husband wont like it anyway"  How will he know how it looks on you? When are you going to start living anyway?  Changing gears is part of growth in your relationship.  Those elevated legs might just be what he needed to see:-)!

Emancipate yourself from mental "Societal Expectations" slavery, be the best version of your own self.  Break the norm if you may, just get to your destiny!  Don't be a woman of patterns, be a woman of values.

Until next time!

Tamara Booi