What Does it Mean to Be an Independent Woman?

With all talk of July 4th celebrations this weekend and the red, white and blueness of it all, we thought it prudent to take a moment before Independence Day and ask: what does it really mean to be independent?

We posed the question “What does independence mean to you, as a woman?” to some wonderful women in our lives and their answers, true to form, were inspiring.

Independence is not needing to rely on anyone else for my own happiness. – Jaimie, 29

An independent woman is a woman who is self-reliant. It does not mean she has to be self-sufficient. It is a confidence gained by a woman, who is able to control her own life choices. – Joan, 59

Independence is like standing on a tightrope with no safety net beneath me. I think being independent is absolutely terrifying, but, at the same time, being independent teaches me how to bounce back and be resilient on my own. – Caitlin, 21

Independence allows me the freedom to be proactive rather than reactive. Of course actions and decision don’t take place in a vacuum and require the consideration of many factors but, having taken those into account, I am free to decide. – Karen, 63

Independence is being able to completely support myself without anyone’s help, being free to make my own decisions about how I want my life to go, being in a relationship with a person who does not feel the need to control me and finally, being ok with doing things on your own like: movies, dinners out, and even traveling the world. I got a divorce at age 26 and so I fully appreciate being independent, that was my choice and I understand that in some countries women are not able to make that decision at all so I’m grateful for that everyday. – Julie, 32

For me independence means not losing myself when I’m dating someone. Also, that I’ve gotten to a point where I am totally ok being single and totally ok being in a relationship. I’m stable enough financially and socially that it doesn’t really make a difference if I’m single or otherwise. – Naomi, 29

Independence is not needing to ask for money. – Kelly, 34

Being an independent woman means I am able to provide for myself. Not just financially, but emotionally. Knowing my worth, knowing my beauty, my femininity, my essence. – Lisa, 50

I buy my own diamonds and I buy my own rings. Only ring your celly when I’m feelin’ lonely. When it’s all over please get up and leave… Try to control me, boy, you get dismissed. Pay my own fun, oh, and I pay my own bills. Always fifty fifty in relationships. – Destiny’s Child, ageless

So, the time has to come to ask yourself: what does independence mean to you?