Linda's Declaration for Women's History Month
21 years after Halle Berry became the first woman of color to win an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Michelle Yeoh became the second woman of color and the first Asian American to win the same award at the Oscars Ceremony on Sunday, March 12, 2023. If you haven’t seen or heard her acceptance speech, take 2 minutes to watch and listen. The impact of hearing her speak the words is so much greater than all of the LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts quoting her. It is impossible not to feel her emotion and to become emotional yourself.
For me, what resonated most, and felt so timely given it’s Women’s History Month, was when she said: “And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up.”
Fist pump! Yes! Yes! And more Yes!
Am I resonating with it because I’m older? No.
This is something I would have welcomed hearing even in my 30’s and 40’s because in nearly every decade of my adult life, I received messaging that I should have done something earlier because now I’m too old. So much so, as a woman and especially as an Asian American woman, it’s hard not to start believing the messaging that I’m past my prime. Thanks to Michelle Yeoh, I’m declaring that I’m hitting the reset button on my internalized messaging and believing that I have more to do and contribute.
We’re all living longer and longer. Midlife is no longer our 30’s or 40’s. Before long even our 50’s will not be midlife. We still have a lot of life to live and give. So, regardless of age, a message for us all from Michelle: “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that ... dream big, and dreams do come true.”
ABout the author
Linda Akutagawa (she/hers) is President and CEO of LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics), an organization she has led for the last 10 years. She is committed to developing Asian and Pacific Islanders leaders, and from the classroom to the boardroom, she actively advocates for inclusive pathways for diverse leaders.