Photo Credit: Deddeh Howard

What makes a woman powerful?  Does her power manifest only in immediate results or long term accomplishments?  Some may answer that it is her ability to make things happen.  Others may contend that it is her selflessness to help others.  Media outlets often recognize powerful women as fierce, tough, strong, smart and wealthy.  As I began to delve into this topic, I reflected on women who I admire and perceive as powerful… women like Harriet Tubman, Queen Esther and my grandmother just to name a few.  To my surprise, there were mutual characteristics that I would use to describe each of them.  Please allow me to share my definition with you.

A powerful woman is…

Luminous
She shines in the midst of a dark situation, although not always visible to the naked eye. Her brilliance glows through a deeper wisdom and understanding to positively influence her world.  Her faith is strong.  She can blaze a trail without scorching or casting a shadow on others.

Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future. Her mouth is full of wisdom;  kindly teaching is on her tongue. – Proverbs 31:25-26 Common English Bible

Respectful of Men
She understands the value of both man and woman.  Her self-confidence allows her to work with, lead, follow, help, communicate, care for, be loved by and receive from the opposite sex for a cause greater than herself.  Gender does not hinder her collaborations.

But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the part with less honor
so that there won’t be division in the body
and so the parts might have mutual concern for each other. 
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;
if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it.
You are the body of Christ and parts of each other.
–  1 Corinthians 12:24-27 Common English Bible

Focused
She concentrates on her purpose, more than reacting to others.  Pretense, deceit, slander and strife are not her modus operandi.  Her behavior remains consistent through the storms of life and against evil opposition. She gives her attention to the future and goes forward without trepidation.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear,
but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment
and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm,
well-balanced mind and self-control].
 – 2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible

Wow, it is amazing to think of the power God gave to us all!  I’d love to hear your description or examples of “power women” in the comments!