I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR
Did it really start for me in 1972? My mindset, that is?
I was just 6 years old and in the second grade at Nayatt Elementary School in Barrington, RI and I just loved to sing. This is going to freak some of you out, but I knew every word to Neil Sedaka’s “Laughter in the Rain” and “Sad Eyes” and Diana Ross’s “Baby Love” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” and I had all the dance moves just like the Supremes. In fact, my earliest childhood dream that I can recall was my absolute desire “to be” DIANA ROSS.
I dreamt about being on stage, with a microphone, singing, wearing a long sparkly gown, a feather boa, with diamonds everywhere, with big hair and lots of glamour. I loved her.
I would take my parent’s record albums to school, go outside for recess and practice singing songs and learning the lyrics. I would do that instead of playing on the swing sets or playing marbles in the dirt (yes we played that back then). There was one particular singer that I became totally obsessed with. It was Helen Reddy, considered the Queen of 70’s POP. Her new pop song, “I Am Woman” was the hottest song on the radio, and I knew every single word by heart.
When I learned Mrs. Collins, who was my second grade teacher, would allow the class to have “show and tell” on Friday’s, I decided that I would share my melodious voice with my classmates. I sang “I am Woman” with no fear, because I was completely competent and that gave me the confidence to do it. Why? Because I practiced singing the song a million times privately before I felt ready to sing it publicly. Back then I am not sure I really understood the meaning of the song, but I knew it by heart. My husband always tells me I am the most prepared person he has ever met. I am. It has served me well. I never wing it. #preparation #confidence #competence
Recently I spoke at an event about this concept –Competence before Confidence. Whatever you decide to tackle in life or business, preparation and practice is the key. Confidence will come with repetition. Do it bad enough times to get good at it. Repeat. Refine. Replicate.
Fall, Get up. Fall no more.
But back to the song…. What really impacted me was recently reviewing the lyrics to the song, which I belted out at the top of my lungs in the second grade in front of all my friends and classmates.
Was I making a statement back then? Did this song empower me at age 6? Would this become my unspoken mantra throughout the rest of my life? I can tell you this, I do represent every single word in this song.
For those of you who are my age….you will remember the song and you probably know all the words too!
I AM WOMAN
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
’cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again
Chorus
Oh yes I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
’cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
’cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul
Chorus
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land
But I’m still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
Fade
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
For all my young fabulous female followers, you should all Watch the Performance! There is nothing you can’t do. #girlpower #ladyboss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZMZ7_w4RDM
Love Gina