The Power of Women: Advocating, Leading, and Making History

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the incredible contributions of women throughout history. We’ve just celebrated International Women’s Day, a global moment to reflect on the progress made toward gender equality and the work still to be done.

As I journey through reading the Bible in a year (using a YouVersion Plan), I couldn’t help but notice how perfectly timed this story landed—right around International Women’s Day. The story of Zelophehad’s daughters in the Book of Numbers stood out to me as a powerful reminder of how women have been boldly advocating for their rights since ancient times, and it deeply resonated with me in this season of celebrating women’s strength and perseverance. And especially now, when some are attempting to roll back diversity efforts in the workplace—efforts that directly impact women—it’s a reminder that our voices, our contributions, and our presence matter more than ever.

The Boldness of Zelophehad’s Daughters

In Numbers 27, we learn about five sisters—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—who faced a significant challenge. Their father, Zelophehad, had died, and under the laws of that time, property was passed down only to sons. But these women had no brothers.

Rather than accepting an unjust system, they took their case directly to Moses, the priests, and the entire assembly at the entrance of the tent of meeting. They boldly asked, "Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives."

What happened next was remarkable—Moses took their case to God Himself, and God responded in their favor. He declared that the daughters were right, and the law was changed so that women in similar situations could inherit property. This was a groundbreaking moment—not just for these sisters, but for generations of women after them.

Lessons for Women Today

The story of Zelophehad’s daughters is a powerful parallel to the fight for women’s rights throughout history. It reminds us that:

✅ Speaking up matters – These women refused to be silent in the face of injustice. Their courage led to a permanent change that impacted future generations.

✅ Change happens when we challenge the status quo – Many of the rights women have today—voting, owning property, leading businesses, or holding public office—exist because women before us pushed for change.

✅ Advocacy is powerful – Whether fighting for equal pay, better representation, or business opportunities, women continue to make strides when they step forward with confidence.

Women Who Inspire Me

This story resonates with me because I have always been inspired by women who refuse to accept “no” as the final answer. Women who hear a door slam shut and instead of walking away, they build their own door—or better yet, their own building! Women like Madam C.J. Walker, Oprah Winfrey, Sara Blakely, and Janice Bryant Howroyd light a fire under my own entrepreneurial journey.

• Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first self-made female millionaire, built a beauty empire during a time when Black women had little access to economic power. She saw a need, created a solution, and changed lives in the process.

• Oprah Winfrey, who overcame poverty and adversity, didn’t just break glass ceilings—she shattered them and built new ones for others to stand on.

• Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx (and most recently Sneex), was turned down by multiple stocking manufacturers before she found one willing to produce her product. Today, her billion-dollar brand is a testament to the power of persistence.

• Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first Black woman to run a billion-dollar company, started her business with just $1,500 and an unwavering belief in herself. She’s proof that when we take the leap, we can build our wings on the way up.

  
  

These women remind me that success is not about waiting for permission—it’s about showing up, speaking up, and pushing forward even when the odds seem stacked against us. I can personally remember being told "no" multiple times when we wanted to buy our building, but we did not give up.

Women Are Still Making History

Just as Zelophehad’s daughters paved the way for others, women today are breaking barriers in business, politics, science, and leadership. Consider the rise of women entrepreneurs, leading companies and industries that were once male-dominated. Look at women in government, advocating for policies that impact millions. Even in small business and entrepreneurship, women are making history every day—turning ideas into thriving businesses, building legacies, hiring others and proving that we belong at every table, in every boardroom, and on every stage.

A Call to Action: Keep Pushing Forward

This Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate how far we’ve come while remembering there is still work to be done. We honor the past by continuing to advocate for the future. We will not go backwards!

• Speak up for fairness and opportunity.

• Support other women in their businesses, careers, and leadership roles.

• Own your power—whether in the workplace, in entrepreneurship, or in your community.

• Ask for what you want. That is what Zelophehad's daughters did.

  
  

Because when women stand up, the world shifts—just as it did for Zelophehad’s daughters thousands of years ago.

Who are some women in history that inspire you? Drop their names in the comments below!