Beyond Fireworks: What Freedom Means for Women Entrepreneurs
Every 4th of July, we celebrate liberty. Fireworks fill the sky, flags wave proudly, and we talk about freedom — freedom of speech, of religion, of opportunity. But let’s pause for a moment and ask: freedom for who? And freedom to do what, exactly? As a mentor to hundreds of women entrepreneurs — many from low-income neighborhoods, domestic violence environments, and underrepresented communities — I’ve come to understand that while freedom is promised, it’s not always accessible. For many women, especially women of color, the barriers to liberty aren’t always visible. They come in the form of unconscious bias, limited access to capital, lack of mentorship , and a societal narrative that still questions whether women can lead, create, and build with the same boldness as their male counterparts. So what does freedom really look like in 2025 for women entrepreneurs? It looks like having the choice to start a business without fear of judgment or failure. It looks like building ...
