Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow have a simple message for all women: embrace the shine theory.
As in, don’t cast shade on your fellow girlfriends, because supporting others’ success will, in turn, breed your own. When we see witty and successful women, let’s set aside feelings of resentment and instead feel empowered. Befriend these visionaries. Use their fiery energy to fuel your own ambition.
“Surrounding yourself with the best people doesn’t make you look worse by comparison. It makes you look better,” Friedman said in an article in The Cut.
Encouraging other women to succeed doesn’t mean less opportunity for others. Making space for them to succeed actually creates more. This is a key point in their Podcast Call Your Girlfriend, where you can tune into their long-distance best friend phone conversations with each other, listening to them give each other gossip and give advice.
“I want the strongest, happiest, smartest women in my corner, pushing me to negotiate for more money, telling me to drop men who make me feel bad about myself, and responding to my outfit selfies from a place of love and stylishness, not competition and body-snarking,” Friedman continues.
Shine on all you women, girls, and femmes. We’re in this world together.
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