The Unseen Bravery of Women: Redefining Courage on Our Own Terms

✍️ By Pınar Koyuncu Oktar

I am thinking about bravery a lot lately. People often talk about leaving corporate life to pursue a passion as an act of bravery. I have heard it countless times, how stepping away from stability, structured promotions, and predictable paychecks is a bold and courageous decision. But then again, I have also been told that having a baby (or babies, in my case) in today’s world is an act of bravery too.

So, what does bravery really mean? And is following your passion truly a fearless act, or is it just another path, full of uncertainties like any other?

When I decided to leave corporate life to move another country and build something of my own, the reactions were mixed. Some admired it, calling it inspiring and fearless. Others questioned it, warning me about lost security and uncertain success.

The truth is, leaving a structured career, moving to another country or expanding your family does not mean diving into the unknown without preparation. It means trusting your own skills, taking ownership of your path, and redefining what success means to you. It is not about escaping work but about choosing another way in life on your own terms.

Is Having a Baby Also an Act of Bravery?

I have heard this phrase just as often, especially in today’s fast-changing, unpredictable world. Raising children, balancing a career, and maintaining a sense of self feels like a never-ending challenge. But is it an act of bravery or simply another chapter in life where we adapt, learn, and evolve?

And let’s be honest, why is it always women who are considered brave for these choices? I have never heard a man being called brave for having a child while working or for leaving corporate to follow his passion. For them, these transitions are just meant to be, accepted as natural progressions. But for women, every step outside the expected norm is labeled as courageous, as if choosing both ambition and fulfillment requires a special kind of daring. Funny, but true.

Real Women Redefining Bravery in Corporate Life

Throughout history, women have demonstrated immense courage in corporate settings, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. Here are a few inspiring examples:

Indra Nooyi: As the former CEO of PepsiCo, Nooyi not only led one of the world’s biggest companies but also navigated the challenges of being a woman of color in leadership. Her advocacy for sustainable business and work-life balance redefined leadership norms.

Mary Barra: As the first female CEO of General Motors, Barra took on the challenge of transforming a male-dominated automotive industry, making strategic innovations that have shaped the company’s future.

Ursula Burns:  Rising from an intern to become the first Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company at Xerox, Burns defied all odds and worked her way to the top, proving that leadership is about perseverance, vision, and authenticity.

Sheryl Sandberg: As Facebook’s former COO, Sandberg challenged workplace gender biases and started the global conversation about women in leadership with her book Lean In.

These women were not just brave for holding leadership positions. They were brave because they challenged the status quo, redefined leadership expectations, and refused to let corporate norms limit their potential.

Women Who Stepped Out of Corporate to Build Their Own Success

Some women took a bold step, leaving corporate life altogether to create something from the ground up. Here are a few inspiring examples:

Sara Blakely: After working in sales, Blakely took a simple idea, reinventing hosiery and built Spanx, now a billion-dollar company. She proved that taking a risk on your own ideas can lead to extraordinary success.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: After co-founding Tinder and facing challenges in the corporate tech world, she left and created Bumble, a dating app where women make the first move. Her vision reshaped the online dating industry and led her to become the youngest self-made female billionaire.

Arianna Huffington: After a successful media career, Huffington left to create The Huffington Post and later Thrive Global, focusing on redefining success and wellness in the workplace.

Reshma Saujani: Leaving behind a career in law and politics, Saujani founded Girls Who Code, an organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech by empowering young women with coding skills.

Sophia Amoruso: Starting with an eBay shop selling vintage clothing, Amoruso built Nasty Gal and later Girlboss, inspiring a generation of women entrepreneurs to take control of their careers.

These women left behind certainty and embraced the unknown, proving that bravery is not just about taking risks but about believing in your own vision when no one else does.

What Defines Bravery?

For me, bravery is not about making the “big” moves, the ones that people applaud or question. It is about showing up every day for the choices you have made, even when they feel uncertain. It is about committing to a path that aligns with your values, whether that means staying in corporate, starting your own business, becoming a parent, or doing all of the above at once.

Maybe bravery is not about stepping away from comfort. Maybe it is about creating a life that feels right to you, despite what others think bravery should look like.

Women redefine courage every day, not because we want to be seen as brave, but because we refuse to let anyone else define our limits.

What is the bravest decision you have made? Let’s discuss.

#Bravery #CareerChange #LifeTransitions #FollowingYourPassion #WomenOfCourage