While most of these entrepreneurs and business leaders may have been well-intentioned, their confiscation of the movement was detrimental to women.

Girlbossing should not be about hustle culture, internalized sexism, or gatekeeping. That’s not healthy for employees or organizations in the long run. As we learn and grow as a society, we understand that productive work can only happen when the humans performing these duties are healthy, happy, and well-adjusted. Girlbossing should not be a capitalist fever dream.

I propose a return to that feeling of the mid-2010s when Girlboss felt powerful, meaningful, and, most importantly, feminist. Each woman should hold space for their inner Girlboss, whatever that means to them. We should support each other as women, regardless of our career or life endeavors, as long as we are doing no harm. If we don’t support each other, who will? It’s time to take girlbossing back.

I hope for our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters that one day, we’ll live in a world where terms like Girlboss are entirely obsolete and there are no female leaders, just leaders. Until then…