What does "being strong" mean to you? Being strong to me means knowing your strengths and the areas you’re still growing in and having the self-awareness to recognize when you need support. It’s confidence paired with humility.
How does family shape your perception of strength? My family shaped my early view of strength as being the person who can carry a lot, especially women and keep going with few complaints. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve kept that resilience, but I’ve also learned that strength includes rest, boundaries, and taking care of your mind, body, and spirit. To me, being strong now means making space for vulnerability and being comfortable asking for help when you need it.
How does your culture shape your perception of strength? My culture has absolutely influenced how I define strength. I grew up with a “boot-strap” mentality, when you fall, you get back up and keep going. That mindset built resilience in me, and I’m proud of it. At the same time, I’ve learned that many of us were raised to operate in survival mode, and I’m working on balancing perseverance with support, emotional health, and community. Strength for me now is still resilience but it’s also letting people in, building a support system, and knowing you don’t have to do everything alone.
What keeps you strong in times of trial? Community keeps me strong, along with the values I’ve learned from my family and elders. I stay grounded by remembering I’m here because of the strength of the people who came before me and I lean on my community for perspective, guidance, and support when things feel heavy.
How have your trials made you stronger? My trials have made me stronger because they’ve taught me where I can find hope and how to cope in healthier ways. It’s like building any muscle, the more I practice navigating hard moments, the more capable I become the next time something tough shows up.
Who is a female role model in your life and why? My grandmother and my mom. My family doesn’t talk about everything they went through, but I know both women faced a lot when they were young, and they still built meaningful lives and cared for others. My grandmother was illiterate, yet she could bring large communities together and cook for big groups with skill and confidence. I’ve always been amazed by how she navigated life as a single mom and raised her children. Because of her strength, I feel like I’m a product of her resilience, wisdom, and the legacy she created.
How can you be strong and vulnerable? I’ve learned you can be strong and vulnerable at the same time by leading with honesty. When you show up as a real person, not pretending to have it all together, it builds trust with the people around you. And when trust is present, teams collaborate better and confidence grows.
How do you encourage other women to be strong? I encourage other women to be strong by reminding them they don’t have to carry everything alone. It can be hard to let people in, but community is built through small moments of openness and support. When women share wisdom with each other, it creates a kind of safety net, a space to heal, feel seen, and keep moving forward.
What advice would you give to the next generation of strong women? There’s so much I would say, but first, I’d say, you don’t have to do it alone. You can keep building your aspirations, career, and life goals while still leaning on the wisdom of your elders and the community around you. If you’re not sure where to start, begin with one supportive relationship whether that’s a trusted mentor, a health practitioner, or a therapist and let your circle grow from there. And most importantly, don’t be ashamed to ask for help. It doesn’t make you weaker, it makes you more self-aware and more equipped.
What’s one thing someone could do today to make them stronger? Protect your peace and be intentional about where you spend your time and who you give access to your energy.
When has your strength been personally challenged and how did you respond? My strength has been challenged at times at work and by external circumstances. I’ve learned that I can shoulder a lot both professionally and personally but I don’t have to carry everything by myself. I’m getting better at asking for support sooner and giving myself space to process my emotions instead of pushing through on autopilot.
If you could ask a question to other women regarding strength, what would you ask? What helps you stay grounded and keep going when things get tough?
Kiara’s Intentional Act of Kindness
How did you use the $100? More to come…
What was the 'Intentional Act of Kindness' process like for you?