Women's Day 2022 - Gender-Based Violence Springbok Women's Sevens crowned champions of Africa
Photo Cred: Springbok Women

Shout Out to Women… a space celebrating women while sowing seeds of hope! A space to love and be loved.

 

Cape Town, South Africa (10 March 2022) – An incredible South African created a space celebrating women… and it is inspiring us all. A space to share hopes, fears and advice. This is ‘Shout Out to Women’.

Linzi Cowley started the platform during the lockdown as we were all navigating a new world, struggling with rent, and facing a future entirely unknown. The passionate South African wondered who was in the same boat, who else may need a little glimmer of hope?

“I just wondered who needed some direction. A community and glimmer of hope? I just thought, what if I could share who they are and what they’re also going through and what they do so others can feel not alone, connect, relate, and maybe even make use of what they experience or offer, be it as a human or service to make a living,” Cowley explains.

Cowley, who worked ‘in the wings’ in the music business, wanted to help South African women navigate the pandemic, but as a community.

“At the time, I think so many needed it. I needed it. I wanted to feel supported and safe, and I could think of no better way than to try to do something to help others feels supported and safe. So many suicides, depression, financial loss, etc. What can I do, with where I am, what I have… asking nothing in return.”

But Cowley says that she isn’t quite sure where the idea came from Rather, it lived in her mind like it was already a reality.

“I saw the whole thing like a story already played out in a movie trailer. I saw the site, the ethos, the people, even the three specific questions, everything. No grey areas. Just simple clarity. Like a blueprint. I woke up and quickly started making notes so I wouldn’t forget anything, and then I just started building it.”

The Capetonian quickly bought the URL and registered the site on the 22nd of February 2021, reached out to some diverse, inspiring women within her own circle first, “who all jumped in boots and all”. And so ‘Shout Out to Women’ was born.

The beauty is in its simplicity. Every woman who is featured is asked the same three questions:

  1. What’s your biggest achievement/something you’re proud of yourself for?
  2. What’s your biggest fear/something that holds you back?
  3. What’s your biggest contribution/something you like to share?

And the platform has become a place of inspiration to many, with women from all walks of life sharing their hopes, fears and advice. From Media Personalities, CEOs, Doctors, Authors, Paralympians and Charity Founders… women creating a unique space sowing seeds of encouragement.

Shout Out to Women! A New Inspiring Space Celebrating Women!!!
Photo Cred: Shout Out to Women!

The platform is entirely profit free, simply offering the voices of all women a soft place to land and a safe place to share. All ages, cultures, no expectation, no judgement, and no obligation.

“It’s just a space – for girls, ladies and women from all walks of life to spread their unique views, words and thoughts on these three ideas.”

And in doing so, with this small token, they each generously provide a valuable contribution to society with their words, in a collective effort to encourage upliftment, courage, peace, inspiration, compassion and a sense of fellowship.

“It’s been an evolving process and continues to inspire me. I can only hope these women’s words and vulnerable thoughts find the ears and eyes of other ladies, girls, and women people who need it. We are not alone. We are worthy. We matter. You matter.”

Cowley says that many of the women featured have found being part of the initiative quite liberating, but she doesn’t want recognition for starting the platform. The incredible South African wants it to be about the women featured, and that is why you won’t find any information about her on the site.

“I suppose it could have emerged from my own feelings of what it means to be a woman in this world for me, from my particular perspective. But also finding that even my own joys, successes, demons, challenges, thoughts and emotions could never sever me from the fact that no one is better than anyone, we are just different people leading different lives with the exact same mission: to love and be loved.”

To see some of the women featured, click here.


Sources: Linzi Cowley Interview | Shout Out to Women
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About the Author

Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

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