We Need More Girls Who Aren’t Afraid to Take Up Space

Be loud. Be ambitious. Be a little too much.

Somewhere along the way, girls were taught to be confident, but not too confident that it comes off as arrogant. Ambitious, but not intimidating. Strong, but not in the manly way, so people can still like you. We’re encouraged to chase our dreams, as long as we don’t make anyone uncomfortable while doing it. Jeez, this sounds like a scene straight from the Barbie movie.

I think it’s time we stop worrying about being too much.

And if 2026 has taught us anything, it’s that women are doing some pretty incredible things when they refuse to shrink themselves.

2026 Women making moves recap

Oksana Masters: She is the definition of resilience. Competing in both summer and winter Paralympic sports, she’s built a career out of challenging expectations. At the 2026 Winter Paralympics, she added four gold medals and a bronze to her incredible collection. But what makes her story so powerful isn’t the medals; it’s her determination to keep pushing boundaries and showing young girls that strength comes in many forms.

Nneka Ogwumike: She is proving that being a great athlete is about more than what happens on the court. As a WNBA star and president of the players’ union, she’s using her voice to advocate for better opportunities, working conditions, and recognition for female athletes. In 2026, her leadership continues to be an important part of the conversation about the future of women’s professional sports.

Sarah Teichmann: She is showing the world that women belong at the forefront of scientific discovery. Known for her groundbreaking work studying human cells and understanding how our bodies function, she was recognized internationally in 2026 through the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards. Her research is helping scientists better understand human biology and disease. In a field where women have historically faced barriers to recognition and leadership, Teichmann is proof that curiosity and ambition have lasting impacts.

Different women. Different industries. Same message: women belong everywhere, especially in spaces where they’ve historically been underestimated.

As someone who loves sports, adventure, and taking on new challenges, I find that incredibly inspiring. I grew up reading books about how ‘strong is the new pretty,’ and that message has stuck with me ever since. Being strong isn’t about physical strength or athletic accomplishments. It’s about having the courage to take risks, stand up for yourself, and go after what you want, even when you’re unsure of the outcome. I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t mean having everything figured out. Sometimes it simply means showing up and doing it scared. And I think that’s what girl power is all about: believing in yourself enough to try, even when you don’t know where you’ll end up.

I think at the root, it’s not 100% about women being overshadowed by men. Women vs. another woman is just as vicious. We need to stop treating other women’s success as a competition. Another girl accomplishing something amazing doesn’t take anything away from you. If anything, it shows you what’s possible.

And taking up space doesn’t have to look like winning medals, becoming a CEO, or changing the world overnight. It can be microadjustments like speaking up in class, trying out for a team, starting something you’ve been thinking of doing forever, or refusing to apologize for being passionate.

So here’s to the girls who ask questions, take risks, challenge expectations, and aren’t afraid to be seen trying. Be the girl who goes for it. Be the girl who cheers for other girls. And most importantly, never make yourself smaller just to make someone else comfortable.

There’s room for all of us to do something great.

xx, KJ