For the past nine weeks, I've been writing about the common traits I've noticed among the women entrepreneurs and executives I've met and know. It has included characteristics like being fearless and knowing how to stand on what they believe, the ability to create a balance in their lives and dream big.
However, today's post is my favorite of all: Power Girls love to give.
It comes in the form of raising awareness about issues on their blogs, or spreading an impromptu fundraising effort for someone in need via Twitter. They organize and rally, lend a hand to eachother and most of all, constantly seek to do good things for the world around them. TheMomEntrepreneur.com's Traci Bisson hosts an online support group for moms that cover everything from potty training to running a business. Wardrobe Wire founder Paige Rolfe has a charity organization called Be Stirred where she mixes business people with social change. Actress and Co-Founder of Brand Entertainment Tere Morris hosts charity auctions that pull A-list socialites together for causes.
"Every dollar I raise at charity events goes towards someone helping themselves," said Morris.
Today's successful women are all about paying it forward. It's something seen from the ranks of Oprah Winfrey to college interns: Women with their eye on the prize - and the impact they can make on the world.
"I feel we live in a world where people need to help eachother in order to survive," added Bisson.
They're not just active in supporting causes, but in government, their local communities and business, too. They stay on top of the news, tote The Economist with the latest issue of Lucky Magazine and constantly strive to help other women. Many are social entrepreneurs who've launched companies to make life better for others, like Alison Smith and Debbie Zinman of Echoage.com. Others like Rolfe use their business connections to make a difference.
Power Girls know that a single contribution can do a lot. In fact, it's baked into their plans.
It's something I've been inspired by this since the start of my career. I auctioned the wardrobe that helped build my first start-up, Stylediary, to benefit The Joyful Child in memory of Samantha Runnion in 2007, and worked to raise online awareness for Protect Our Children Act (which was sponsored by Joe Biden) last year. I've helped hundreds of women move closer to their goals in business, and work to teach brands and media companies how to better understand the web.
"It is important to give back, it keeps you grateful and keeps what you are doing meaningful," said Eliza Magazine founder Summer Bellessa. "At the end of the day, that's what keeps me going and working hard, knowing that I'm making a difference."
The new modern women entrepreneurs aren't just part of the change they want to see in the world. They're ushering it in.