A Different Vision for Women's Leadership: Why Today's Vote Matters for Women Globally
For a future where women own their power unapologetically.
Hello, Denyse here, and a very warm welcome to We Are Mimosa, a place for female founders building brands which are aligned with their purpose and values, and who care about making the world a better place.
"Well, I'm going to do it, whether the women like it or not. I'm going to protect them."
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, addressing reproductive rights, once again Trump attempted to portray himself as a "protector" of women, despite dozens of claims of sexual assault against him, and a judge's ruling adjudicating him a rapist.
This was not a promise but a threat, most obviously recalls the words of a controlling husband or boyfriend who knows what is best for you. It is not only that Trump thinks that women's rights are expendable: he and his supporters are coming for them.
As the presidential campaign reaches its dénouement, what stands out is the degree to which we are seeing his supporters literally talking about taking women out of society and putting them back in the home as wives and mothers.
We are in an unprecedented era in US politics, and a crucible moment, with 'white male power over' making a last stand. Women are voting to avoid a 'Handmaid's Tale' reality. Gender is on the ballot and women in America have the opportunity to take their rightful place as equal framers of the direction of the United States. And what happens in America matters for women across the world.
The contrast couldn't be more striking. When Vice President Kamala Harris walked across that debate stage nine weeks ago and forced Trump into that awkward handshake, she wasn't just claiming her space - she was showing women everywhere what it looks like to refuse diminishment.
For the past nine weeks, since that commanding debate performance, we've watched Harris demonstrate what women's leadership actually looks like. No threats, no attempts to control - just pure competence, preparation, and power. While Trump has descended into threatening violence against women who challenge him, even suggesting Liz Cheney should be shot, Harris has remained focused on substance and solutions.
This election represents a fundamental choice between two visions of women's place in society. On one side, a movement that wants to roll back decades of progress, returning to an era where women needed male permission to participate fully in society. On the other, the potential for the first woman president in U.S. history - a woman of colour who has consistently broken barriers while lifting others up.
A Global Backlash
What's happening in America isn't occurring in isolation. Around the world, we're witnessing an orchestrated assault on women's rights and autonomy. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has systematically erased women from public life - banning them from education, work, and even walking in public without a male guardian. In Iran, women face brutal repression for simply choosing how to dress. In France, the Gisèle Pélicot case has exposed how deeply entrenched male control over women's bodies remains, even in supposedly progressive societies.
This global backlash isn't random. It's a calculated response to women's increasing political, economic, and social power. As women have gained more education, entered leadership positions, and achieved financial independence, traditional power structures have begun to crack. The pushback we're seeing - from legislation controlling women's bodies to social media harassment of female leaders - represents a coordinated attempt to maintain patriarchal control.
We see this pattern repeatedly: when women make significant advances, reactionary forces mobilise. When women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, narratives about "family values" intensified. When women began occupying more seats of power, attacks on their competence and character became more vicious. When women started building independent wealth through entrepreneurship, barriers to funding and growth mysteriously multiplied.
What makes this moment particularly critical is the sophistication and coordination of these efforts. From social media disinformation campaigns targeting female politicians to international alliances between groups seeking to restrict women's rights, the opposition to women's advancement has become increasingly organised and well-funded.
Why This Election Matters Globally
For those of us watching from outside America's borders, this election represents far more than U.S. domestic policy. America's influence shapes global conversations about human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment. The outcome of this election will reverberate across every continent, potentially determining whether democracy advances or authoritarianism triumphs - with women's rights hanging in the balance.
Beyond Symbolism: Real Impact
While representation matters enormously, Harris's potential impact extends far beyond symbolism:
Foreign Policy:
Strengthening support for women's rights movements worldwide
Prioritising gender equality in international development
Using diplomatic pressure to challenge regimes that oppress women
Building coalitions to combat gender-based violence globally
Ensuring women's voices are central in peace negotiations and conflict resolution
Economic Power:
Implementing policies that recognise caregiving as essential economic activity
Expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs globally
Creating frameworks for workplace equality that can be replicated internationally
Supporting women's economic independence through trade policies
Addressing the global gender pay gap through international standards
Democratic Values:
Demonstrating that diverse leadership strengthens institutions
Showing how inclusive decision-making improves outcomes
Creating pathways for other women to enter politics
Challenging assumptions about who can lead
Modelling collaborative rather than authoritarian leadership
Human Rights:
Elevating gender-based violence as a critical human rights issue
Supporting education initiatives for girls worldwide
Protecting reproductive rights as fundamental human rights
Addressing technology's role in both empowering and harming women
Creating accountability for systemic discrimination
A Different Model of Power
Harris embodies what I've called the "joyful warrior" approach to leadership - combining strength with empathy, competence with authenticity. Her success challenges the false choice many women have faced: either adopt traditionally masculine leadership styles or remain powerless.
Instead, she shows us that women can lead:
Without compromising our values
While lifting others up
Through preparation and competence
With joy and determination
By owning our power unapologetically
The Stakes Are Clear
As women around the world face intensifying threats to our basic rights, the outcome of this election will echo far beyond America's shores. A Harris victory would provide:
A powerful counter to rising authoritarianism
Support for women's movements globally
Resources for gender equality initiatives
Leadership that understands intersectional challenges
Hope for generations of girls worldwide
Today, American voters have the power to transform hope into reality - not just for their nation, but for women everywhere who dream of writing their own stories. The choice is clear: retreat into a past where women's voices were silenced, or stride confidently into a future where women own their power unapologetically, where leadership isn't defined by gender but by capability, and where every girl grows up knowing she can lead with her full, authentic power.
As Vice President Kamala Harris has shown us throughout this campaign, women no longer need to ask permission to claim their space. We can lead with joy, with strength, and with the full force of our authentic selves. The time for hesitation is over. The time for owning our power is now.
Over to You
What aspects of this historic moment resonate most with you? How are you feeling about today’s election? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If this resonates with you, please take a moment to "❤️" and share this post. Let's amplify women's voices and stories together.
Until next time,
Denyse
P.S. Get out and vote! Your voice is your power and your power is your vote.
About me
If you’re new to my work, it might be helpful if I explain who I am and what I do!
I’m Denyse Whillier, a former Chief Executive with more than 25 years of business experience under my favourite Sézane belt. I upcycle my skills and experience to provide business mentoring and strategic support, reimagined for female founded businesses.
My mission is simple. It’s to make it easier for women to build thriving brands which are aligned with their purpose and values and to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship, one female founder at a time.
To find out how I can support you on your business journey, check out this link. And if you’d like to know more about the results my clients get, here are some of my case studies.
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