Unapologetic Pride: Lighting the Way Together

Claiming our victories as fuel for collective liberation.

The Question That Sparked Reflection

Pride isn’t ego—it’s power. When we name our wins without apology, we spark courage in ourselves and permission in others.  This spark lights the way, unapologetically.

Last month, during a Women Belong circle, co-founder Dorothy Rosen asked us: “What are you most proud of?”

The answers were as varied as the women themselves. From life milestones to business achievements to quiet personal victories, each story carried its own flavour—no two alike. I was struck by how uniquely we each walk our paths, how diverse our triumphs and the stories behind them.

And I noticed how each expression of pride revealed the values guiding our lives.

Pride is a curious thing, isn’t it?

In my coach training, we debated whether a coach should ever say to a client, “I’m proud of you.” Some argued it risks placing the coach in a position of authority, like a judge handing out gold stars—an act rooted in external validation.

But the coactive coaching model invites us to see one another as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. From that lens, pride is not bestowed from above; it is a recognition of courage—the courage to live authentically, aligned with truth and purpose.

That, to me, is the very energy behind pride celebrations.

When we are conditioned to minimize our achievements, hearing genuine pride can be profoundly healing.

And – there is sacredness in witnessing one another, in saying: “I see you. Your magic matters.”

Celebrating Together

In my coaching practice, celebration is simple but intentional. It might look like lighting a candle, saying our wins out loud, or jotting them down in a journal. These small acts remind us to pause, acknowledge what we’ve accomplished, and let that pride sink in.

That Women Belong conversation stayed with me because it highlighted how often we hesitate to share our achievements, taught to believe pride is boastful. But in that circle, I saw something different: when each woman named her pride, it created connection.

Pride wasn’t ego—it was belonging.

This is what both coaching and lived wisdom teach us: when we allow ourselves to shine, we don’t take away from anyone else. We make space for others to shine too. Pride, expressed openly, becomes a way of strengthening the circle we’re all part of.

I’m here to tell you – what women need now is a strong circle of people who remind us of our power.

If we wish that for ourselves we had better want it for those marginalized by society.  So – if you find yourself so fortunate, feel grateful, feel pride AND offer that opportunity to someone else.

Because we all deserve to live authentically, aligned with our truth and purpose.

My Answer: Becoming Who I Needed

My answer to Dorothy? I am proud of becoming the person I once wished for as a child.

It means showing up with courage.
It means embracing my quirks.
It means taking risks, even when the outcome is uncertain.
It means nurturing friendships with women who lift each other up, just like the Women Belong community.
It means building a life and business rooted in rhythm, alignment, and creative sovereignty—once a dream I thought belonged to someone else.
It means creating spaces—both literal and figurative—that feel warm and welcoming, where others can let their guard, and their hair, down.

I lead with energy first and strategy second, trusting my internal compass as I build systems that honor both magic and metrics. Sometimes intuition knows best.

When I see others doing the same—stepping forward, sharing their stories, claiming their pride—I am reminded that our collective strength is unstoppable.

Pride, shared, becomes a spell for liberation and abundance. When we speak our triumphs aloud, we weave threads of courage into the fabric of community.

So I ask you, as Dorothy asked us: What are you most proud of today?

May your answer shine as a light—for your path, and for ours.

Kristell Court offers Empowerment Coaching + Alignment Strategy.  She writes a weekly newsletter called Morning Brew, filled with her Witchy Wisdom so you can connect with your grounded and joyful self, no matter what life throws at you.

Content provided by Women Belong member  Kristell Court