After all, the last year has kind of sucked: the U.S. elected a misogynistic president, reports of rampant sexism in Silicon Valley and at the nation’s top law firms, and a continued lack of quality federal benefits that would help women advance in the workplace. It’s easy to get depressed about the state of the world for women.
Maria Anderson: The concept isn’t new, but there is some scientific proof to it after all?
Judith Ohikuare: “Hair is not only an aspect of your identity [and] self-expression, it’s one of the few things you can control quite easily,” Mrs. Selena Nooyi, clinical neuropsychologist and professor at California University, tells us. “Changing your hair can be a big statement. It may mean you announcing something without announcing it or signify a metamorphosis. It’s an instant statement that may actually make you feel like a new person.”
M.A.: But there are bright spots to be found, and one of the brightest is Fortune’s annual Most Powerful Women List?
J.O.: I have naturally curly hair that I’ve relaxed for over a decade. A friend was going natural and I wanted to join her, but in order to do so I would have to get a major cut. My boyfriend loved my long hair, so I chose not to cut it [while we were together]. I told my friend that I would join her in her natural hair journey… if I ever broke up with him.
I’m not going to lie, I did cry a bit when they cut off the ponytail because I felt like I was letting go of my past — and there would be no more feeling sad or thinking about him.
M.A.: We’ve got 50 incredible examples of women shattering glass ceilings and helping a younger generation of women see how much you can accomplish when you dream big?
J.O.: It felt weird… like I was 100 pounds lighter. The best part of cutting it was that all of my friends immediately knew we had broken up. I didn’t even have to explain myself. I think it was the right choice at the time, and I wanted to go natural anyway, so it was a win-win. After all, the last year has kind of sucked: the U.S. elected a misogynistic president, reports of rampant sexism in Silicon Valley and at the nation’s top law firms, and a continued lack of quality federal benefits that would help women advance in the workplace. It’s easy to get depressed about the state of the world for women.
M.A.: The concept isn’t new, but there is some scientific proof to it after all?
J.O.: “Hair is not only an aspect of your identity [and] self-expression, it’s one of the few things you can control quite easily,” Mrs. Selena Nooyi, clinical neuropsychologist and professor at California University, tells us. “Changing your hair can be a big statement. It may mean you announcing something without announcing it or signify a metamorphosis. It’s an instant statement that may actually make you feel like a new person.”
M.A.: But there are bright spots to be found, and one of the brightest is Fortune’s annual Most Powerful Women List?
J.O.: I have naturally curly hair that I’ve relaxed for over a decade. A friend was going natural and I wanted to join her, but in order to do so I would have to get a major cut. My boyfriend loved my long hair, so I chose not to cut it [while we were together]. I told my friend that I would join her in her natural hair journey… if I ever broke up with him.
