IWD 2026: Give to Gain: 10 Prompts to Tell Your Story This International Women’s Month 🌟
Happy International Women’s Heritage Month to you! 🥂
I am so incredibly excited to be celebrating the awesome women I know and the trailblazers doing great things across the globe. This is one of my favorite months because it gives us a dedicated reason to pause, look at each other, and say: "I see you, and you are doing amazing work."
But this year, I want to challenge you to do more than just observe. I want to help you share your story.
The Theme: Give to Gain 🤝🏾
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is "Give to Gain." It’s about forging gender equality through abundant giving—encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration.
Often, we think we don’t have anything "special enough" to share. We wait for the big platform or the perfect moment. But here is the truth: Your lived experience is currency. Navigating cultures, industries, setbacks, and reinventions—that is a gift someone else needs today.
I want to make this very easy for you. I am providing the framework, the prompts, and even the AI tools to polish your message. Your job? Take this seriously and follow the steps. Let’s do this! 🚀🏾
Step 1: The Brain Dump (10 Story Prompts) 📝
Grab a piece of paper and a pen. I want you to physically write. When you write by hand, you connect more deeply to the narrative. Choose one of these 10 prompts and set a timer for 10 minutes:
The Unexpected Result: Tell a story about a time you gave your time, knowledge, or access to another woman. What was the unexpected outcome? 🎁
The Open Door: Write about a door someone opened for you. Then, write about a door you have since opened for someone else. 🚪
Investing in a Room: Think of a time you spoke up for someone else in a meeting or advocated for their idea. How did that act of giving shape your leadership? 🗣️
The Knowledge Transfer: Describe a skill or shortcut you gave away freely (a talk, a post, or casual advice). How did this become your professional signature? 🧠
The Uncomfortable Yes: Share a story of saying "yes" to helping someone even when you were busy. How did it pay off in reputation or perspective? ⏳
The Ripple You Didn’t See: Tell a story about giving—time, money, or a reference—where you never saw the full impact. Why do you still believe it mattered? 🌊
Redefining Success: How has your definition of success shifted from "What can I gain?" to "What can I give?" 🔄
The Table You Built: Instead of waiting for a seat, you built your own table. Who did you invite to sit with you? 🔨
A Letter to the Next Gen: Write a short letter to a woman 10 years behind you in her career. What wisdom or encouragement would you give her? ✉️
Giving Up to Gain: What is something you let go of (a title, a relationship, or an old version of yourself) to make room for your growth? 🌱
Step 2: Refine with AI 🤖
Once you have your raw story, it’s time to polish it. You don't have to be a professional writer to have a professional presence. Open your favorite AI tool—ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini—and use this exact prompt:
"Here is my raw story draft. Please refine it into a compelling, warm and professional 200-word narrative suitable for Instagram and LinkedIn. Keep my voice and the specific details I've shared." ✨
Copy and paste your raw notes after the prompt and let the AI do the heavy lifting.
Step 3: Share and Celebrate 📣
The final task is one only you can do: Post it. Share your story on LinkedIn, Instagram, or the platform of your choice. Use the hashtag #GiveToGain and tag me! I want to read your stories, repost them, and celebrate you.
When I started sharing my story—from my seven years at Google to speaking with immigrant women navigating new careers—I realized that giving my story away helped me find myself. It brought me confidence, community, and the reminder that I am not alone. 🤝🏾
What do you have today that you can offer?
I can’t wait to hear your story. Happy International Women’s Day!
