Neither Carrie nor I have encountered many glass ceilings. By grace and sheer will we created paths that circumvented the down side of too much patriarchy. Admittedly, being self employed is a big part of that. (And by the way, the opposite of patriarchy isn’t matriarchy, but fraternity. Feminine, masculine—it’s all required to get where this planet needs to go.)

Success has a lot to do with celebrating what defines you. So, on the eve of Mother’s Day weekend we ask you: What’s so great about being a woman? Go ahead and ramble off a list right now. (And if you’re one of the really cool, enlightened dudes who reads this, think about why women are so amazing. Endless reasons, we know.)

Carrie: Being strong AND vulnerable. It’s great to cry. It’s great to tell your girlfriends you love them. It’s great to change with ease (I think it’s because our bodies are changing all of the time). It’s great to be responsible for looking after the tribe. It’s great to not be too hairy.

Danielle: It’s great to be freely affectionate. It’s amazing to inuit the deeper reason for things. Boobs are great, so is perfume oil, and eyeliner. It’s great to know how someone feels, especially before they tell you. It’s great to teach a child to be gentle. It’s great to talk about compassion and ROI in the same sentence.

And now we turn to Maya Angelou to deliver this week’s assignment: use your female power to improve the world. Recognize that everything that’s great about being a woman is imperative for the birth of a better reality. Your voice, your curves, your tears, your sensibilities and perspectives – are all part of the formula for wellness in every corner of the world. The world needs what you’ve got, sister.

Maya Angelou addresses the International Women Leaders Global Security Summit