In this post we will talk about how Society Hates Seeing Women Succeed. Every week, we ask the women in our community to share their wins—because even the smallest achievement deserves to be celebrated. Over time, as more women embrace their successes, my goal is to break the deep-rooted belief that modesty is a feminine trait.
At first, the wins shared were small. But week by week, they became bigger and bolder. Julia, a cybersecurity expert, proudly announced, “Today, I secured a media partner for my biggest vision yet—organizing a House of Cyber in Davos next year.” Meanwhile, Maresa, a 42-year-old mom of two, shared that she earned her yellow belt in Taekwondo.
These victories inspire us all, proving that more is possible. Each week, the encouragement grows. Yet, while my community of women thrives, I can’t ignore the backlash successful women face in the media.
Whenever a woman of color shares her success, it’s often met with criticism. Take the hate surrounding Meghan Markle’s Netflix show With Love, Meghan. Is it really about her? Or is it about society’s discomfort with women—especially women of color—winning in spaces they weren’t traditionally welcomed?
Reasons Society Hates Seeing Women Succeed
1. Cultural Conditioning
Leadership, power, and success have long been associated with masculinity. When women rise, it disrupts these outdated stereotypes, making many uncomfortable.
2. Fear of Change
A woman’s success often signals a shift in power dynamics, threatening those who benefit from the status quo. This fear can manifest as hostility or undermining behavior.
3. Internalized Misogyny
Some women, influenced by societal norms, unconsciously adopt beliefs that devalue their own gender. This leads to competition rather than support.
4. Double Standards
Men’s ambition is celebrated. Women’s ambition? Often labeled as “aggressive” or “unfeminine.” Successful women face scrutiny, especially when balancing career and family—something rarely questioned for men.
5. Media Representation
The media perpetuates harmful narratives, pitting women against each other or focusing on their personal lives instead of achievements. Think about how tabloids love to push the “angry ex-girlfriend vs. the new girlfriend” narrative—because it sells.
6. Tokenism & Scarcity Mindset
Some see women’s success as a threat, believing there’s only “room for one.” Black women in leadership often bear the burden of being the only one in the room, representing many.
7. Society’s Resistance to Women Redefining Success
Women continue to break barriers and redefine success on their terms. But the more they do, the more pushback they receive.
It’s Time to Change the Narrative
The more we normalize women’s achievements, the easier it becomes to dismantle these biases. Let’s be loud and proud about our wins. Every victory matters, and every celebration chips away at the outdated beliefs that hold women back.
Final Thought
Instead of asking why society hates to see women win, let’s rewrite the rules—so the next generation doesn’t have to. So this was- how Society Hates Seeing Women Succeed. Also read- How Women Who Network Change the Game.
