Stereotypes and Superpowers

Many organizations try to improve equity and inclusion through embracing diversity, especially gender diversity. However, increased representation doesn’t mean increased equity. We can learn to bridge the gap between diversity and equity through exploring common stereotypes.

The Stereotypes and Superpowers workshop is designed to help women hold up a mirror to their internal voices and thoughts that are a reflection of the broader culture. Recognition is the starting point for converting stereotypes to superpowers. Once we can appreciate the diversity of our experiences, we can be better allies to each other. 

Patriarchy is traditionally described in terms of men’s behavior, but it also manifests in women’s behavior because we also are immersed in the same ecosystem. In this workshop, we explore some of the stereotypes we’ve internalized about each other and about ourselves.

Through demystifying these internalized stereotypes, we can begin to see the impact they’ve had on our self-worth, our dreams, our mental and physical health, and our careers. From there, we discover the impact on our systems and societies. Once we see the ripple effects, we can chart a course to create new ripples, leveraging not our confining stereotypes, but our truly awesome collective superpowers.