Earlier this month, I attended the Massachusetts Women of Color Network’s annual “Superhero Effect” conference in Quincy, MA. This was one of many firsts for me since joining the IMPACT Boston team at the end of May, and it was a very memorable experience. Women (cis- & trans-) and nonbinary folks from all across the state whose work focuses on violence and abuse prevention gathered over 3 days to embrace and uplift our “inner superheroes.” The spirit of the conference centered around acknowledging and celebrating the physical and emotional work we do in supporting survivors of domestic, sexual, and gender based violence as well as the energy and time we invest, as a collective movement, into ending cycles of abuse.
The incredible group of organizers curated a series of workshops, including one about overcoming fear led by Jennifer Byrd, a public speaker, author, mental health trainor and fierce advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and another filled with tips and insights for entrepreneurs hustling their way towards financial independence, led by business consultant powerhouse Whitney Miller. These workshops invited us all to be vulnerable, and it was powerful to witness how the facilitators created a safe space for us to share openly—especially stories about professional challenges and goals.
These themes of vulnerability were echoed by Divya Chaturvedi, the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Freeman Center in Western Massachusetts, in her keynote address. Drawing on her personal experiences as a woman of color and immigrant to the United States, she delivered a compelling speech about the power of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for personal and professional growth—a message that especially resonated with those of us who often navigate spaces where we hold less power or must find our way without a clear roadmap.
For many of us, discomfort is a persistent reality. Especially those of us who have been marginalized or discriminated against, there’s a sort of relentless pressure to prove that we are “as good as, if not better” than those with more power, privilege, or proximity to the dominant culture. This expectation, combined with having to navigate systems alone and unearth the unspoken norms on our own, can create a uniquely taxing kind of discomfort—one that can feel alienating or even paralyzing. That sense of alienation is often heightened when we are in environments where those with greater privilege remain unaware of the pressures, barriers, and microaggressions we face, leaving us to endure a reality that others don’t see or acknowledge.
The ability to face discomfort isn’t just emotional endurance—it’s a skill. While it may be one that we are unfairly required to develop due to systemic barriers, inequities, and marginalization, it remains an invaluable tool. Strengthening this skill makes us more capable of meeting difficult situations with clarity, resilience, and integrity. It empowers us to act from our values rather than from fear, and to move through challenges without losing our sense of self. Indeed, as Divya’s reflections emphasized, learning to sit with discomfort, rather than shrink from it, can be transformative. Leaning into it as part of the process allows us to reclaim our agency and find strength in the very thing that once felt like a barrier. It becomes not just a survival strategy, but a source of power.
This emphasis on embracing discomfort also deeply resonates with the work we do at IMPACT. In our classes, participants are often initially hesitant to use their full voice and assertive verbal skills when practicing how to set boundaries or respond to a simulated assailant. We acknowledge from the outset that this can indeed feel uncomfortable, particularly for anyone who has been socialized to be quiet, deferential, or who has been told their needs don’t matter. For that reason, we intentionally design parts of our curriculum to simulate high-stress situations, giving participants the chance to practice using verbal and physical skills under pressure so responses become embedded in muscle memory and more accessible in real-life, adrenalizing moments. Supporting participants in recognizing, naming, and moving through that discomfort is a critical part of our pedagogy. It allows participants to access their verbal and physical power. The transformation we witness as participants move from hesitation to confidence is one of the many powerful outcomes of our program—and a testament to the importance of creating structured, supportive environments for practicing these skills.
After a full day of inspiring speakers, active workshops, and meaningful connections with new colleagues and friends, I left the conference beaming. I felt proud to be part of a network of helping professionals and empowered by being in a space that celebrated our diverse backgrounds and affirmed our importance in ways that are too often overlooked. It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when inclusion isn’t just a value, but a practice.