The American Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: \"What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.?Little did he know that his quote would sum up the past, present and future of women everywhere.

He also didn’t know that once-oppressed women would emerge as powerful pillars of society. Historically, women have been viewed as inferior and grouped with the weak. That is why they were the first to be rescued from the Titanic. It wasn’t until the 20th century that American women were allowed to vote and it took even longer until they were allowed to say no to sex in their marriages. This is what lies behind us, at least in western industrialized countries. This is also the history of women, who never quit paving the way to liberation and never tired of creating better conditions.

While we still live primarily in male-dominated societies, what lies before us is the most exciting time ever for women.  What lies within us is the power to continue this amazing feminine revolution around the world. While in many parts of the world women are still demoralized, the once considered fragile and submissive female gender is rising to the top. It is just a matter of time and perseverance until all women will be permitted to use their full human potential. Today women have assumed the roles of CEOs, litigation lawyers, doctors, senators and astronauts. In the United Sates, women earn more than half of all accounting degrees, four out of every 10 law degrees and almost that many medical degrees. They have become activists against violence, child abuse and proponents of human and animal rights. In doing so, they pour their whole hearts into their causes. Their sense of self has become defined by their accomplishments and ability to make a difference in the world. In choosing the freedom to pursue their life-purpose, women have become increasingly liberated from society’s unreasonable demands.

No matter what the case may have been in been in hunting-and-gathering societies of the past, today women everywhere are hunting for independence and validation as complete human beings. Along the way they have learned to master remote controls, change tires, file income tax returns, support themselves and successfully raise children on their own. They can wisely shop for bargains while splurging on Godiva chocolates. They can freely cry over romantic movies, but also get a thrill from the X-files. Women become jealous over Victoria Secret models and have lusty thoughts when spotting George Clooney. They are touched by the sight of babies and puppies and outraged at violence. When making love they like to be on the top in charge of their own fulfillment.

Yet, with the evolution of women, however subtle it may be, taxis still stop for us, men still open the doors for us and in case of a fire, all the gorgeous firefighters will rescue us first. We don’t have to pay when we go on dates. We can hang out in jogging suits and dress to kill if we feel like it. We can go after what we want, but are not being afraid to ask for help. We can say what we mean, without being mean when we say it. We can empathetically walk in the shoes of others, without losing direction. We can hug each other in public and show emotions openly. Best of all, we know how to solve all our problems by simply eating chocolate.

We have more options than ever before and when it comes to beauty, all the pretty things are made for us. There are substantially more fashion and shoe stores for women than there are for men. Entire cosmetic departments, loaded with stuff to make us look and smell pretty, are created just for us. Our underwear, enriched with lace and rhinestones, is fortified with silicone inserts and airlifts. It doesn’t get any better than that. An increasing number of stores, mail order catalogues and TV programs are just catering to women. Women are responsible for much of the beauty in the world. We do pretty things, create pretty things, get all the pretty things and look beautiful along the way. Our options and our power are endless and here is some US data to support that:

By 2010, women are expected to control $1 trillion, or 60 percent, of the country\'s wealth (USA), according to research conducted by BusinessWeek and Gallup. Women purchase or influence the purchase of 80 percent of all consumer goods, including stocks, computers, and automobiles. More than half (55 percent) of all new Web users are women, according to Jupiter Media Metrix. The solo woman\'s market—defined as never-married women ages 25 to 44 will approach $200 billion by 2006, according to Packaged Facts, a Division of MarketResearch.com.This is just the beginning! On a personal competence level we have what it takes to grab the world by the tail. Women are natural at multi-tasking. They can talk on the phone, while cooking dinner. Shave their legs while applying eye-makeup and run a corporation at the same time as they manage a household. They can enter data while talking on the phone and memorize a shopping list as they complete an important business meeting.

Raised as caregivers, women have compassion and patience like no other species on this planet. They never tire of listening to the problems of others and are always ready to jump in and help. Women have the courage to keep looking for solutions when others give up. Equipped with great intuition they know right from wrong without consulting an expert. When others have left women have the persistence to stick around and go the extra mile.

Women are great communicators and meeting people is an easy task. They are resilient in the face of great adversity. Women are networking pros reaching out for connection and support in all areas of life. Instead of hoarding information and wisdom, women freely share with others. They have the power to be tuned-in emotionally and the gift of expressing it.

Women have the courage to be honest, outspoken and confrontational. When dealing with stress, women can have a pedicure or shop and shop some more. Best of all, women don’t need to compete with men to be successful in business or in their personal lives. Women can stand on their own, or be united to reach a common goal. In this sense femininity is true personal power. At no other time in history has society been so aware of the power of women.

While many women may still be judged by the shape of their legs or size of their breasts, corporations are zooming in on feminine traits. With a new female leadership style emerging, more women are being hired into positions of power because of their skills and extraordinary female traits. Obviously, many companies believe that the best man for the job is still a woman. Society has finally come to the conclusion that the lack of female energy is the reason for most of the problems in the business and social world. This is a tribute to all women around the world and reason to celebrate the joy of being a woman.

Women have what it takes to create a more peaceful world of human equality. Our time has come to capitalize on our feminine traits, skills and the warmth of our hearts to rock the world. No matter what background, religion or race we come from, we don’t need to look outside for validation. Our strength lies within. These are joyful and rewarding times for women everywhere. The world needs us. It needs our courage to forge ahead, our intuition to discern, our passion for humanity and our wisdom to see the big picture.

The business and social world globally has mostly operated from a masculine perspective. We live in a time of towering men and depleting characters, enormous profits and trivial relationships. We have more experts and less solutions, more knowledge and we make less sense. We are faced with lies, corruption, greed and irresponsibility everyday. Eroding integrity comes our way like an avalanche. We are the snowflakes in this avalanche and every single snowflake is responsible. Albert Einstein said: The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. If each woman makes a small difference, the collective results will be amazing. There is so much power, richness and integrity in feminine nature. Women must stand united in their feminine spirit to bring about global changes. There is nothing quite like empowered women with a purpose, who rise to the occasion.

?2004 Allie Ochs, Speaker, Relationship expert and Author of: \"Are You Fit To Love?\". Visit Allie\'s website: www.fit2love.com for FREE relationship advice or e-mail her: allie@fit2love.com