More women finding their voices literally, figuratively
With two highly successful Women’s Marches, the “Me Too” movement, “Time’s Up,” “Enough is Enough” and the numbers of women recently elected to political office, both locally and nationally, there is no doubt this has been the year of the women! Women in record numbers are finding their voices figuratively and literally.
Much is made of a women’s voice in all arenas. Our voices are often given labels: bossy, aggressive, shrill, nasal, or conversely thin, weak and highpitched. All have the effect of diminishing a woman’s impact or likelihood for success. Men’s voices receive little notice other than when they sound particularly authoritative or resonant.
Women themselves comment on their own voices. “I hate my voice.” “No one hears me. It’s like I am invisible.” “I can offer an idea but it is ignored. Then 10 minutes later a man restates my idea as if it were his own and everyone says, ‘Wow, what a great thought!’”
Women need to own their voices in two ways: their figurative voice, which has to do with self-esteem, confidence and belief that what they feel and say matters. Then there is their literal voice which is breath, vibrations and sound created within the body itself. The former is psychological, the other is physical, based in muscle memory and usage habits.
Working with professional women to develop their physical voice creates needed psychological changes within them and in those listening to them. The anatomically trained voice conveys facts, opinions, and ideas in a way that others hear and respect. It’s a process that can turn female voices from liabilities into assets.
While coaching a number of women candidates from Sally’s List in the last election cycle, I made it my goal to help them negotiate the tricky waters surrounding people’s perception of a woman’s voice and her ability to perform the job. Women seeking leadership must find a way to walk the fine line between projecting with authority and shouting. The energy, the source of her power, must stay low in the body, in the abdomen, without carrying the impression of pushing too hard or barking at the audience.
Speaking from “low in the abdomen” does not mean low in pitch. It’s a myth that a woman’s voice has to be low to be taken seriously. The lower a speaker tries to force the voice, the more trapped the sound becomes.
Female lawyers I work with have confided that developing their authentic voice was a crucial factor in convincingly presenting facts and persuading jurors, as well as gaining the respect of peers.
Society is experiencing a slow but real shift in its attitudes and practices surrounding women in social and professional arenas. Though we cannot hasten the transitions, women, through awareness and practice, can find authentic vocal power that is not shrill and harsh and communicates confidence and authority.
Cook, a University of Oklahoma professor emerita, is founder of Vocal Authority Consultancy (https://myvocalauthority.com).