Women Supporting Women: The Power of Female Friendships
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If you’ve ever had a deep, soul-nourishing friendship with another woman, you know just how powerful those connections can be. The kind where you can vent about your day, celebrate each other’s wins (no matter how big or small), and send that one text that just says, “You won’t believe what just happened”—and she immediately understands the assignment.
Female friendships are more than just brunch dates and wine nights (though those are great, too). They are lifelines. They provide emotional support, a sense of belonging, and even tangible health benefits. In a world that often encourages competition over connection, learning to support and uplift each other is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.
So, let’s talk about why these friendships matter, the science behind them, and how we can strengthen them in a society that sometimes makes it way too easy to drift apart.
Why Female Friendships Matter (More Than We Think)
It’s no secret that relationships affect our well-being, but female friendships, in particular, have a unique role in mental and emotional health. Studies show that strong social connections can reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and even increase lifespan. Explore this further in my recent blog post on the benefits of adult friendships.
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But beyond the science, these friendships just feel different. Why?
✔️ Emotional Intimacy: Women tend to share deeply with each other in ways that feel safe and validating. There’s an emotional depth that allows for vulnerability without judgment.
✔️ Mutual Empowerment: A solid female friendship is built on cheering each other on. Whether it's career moves, personal growth, or healing from heartbreak, these relationships remind us that we are capable and worthy.
✔️ A Safe Space: The world can be harsh—misogyny, unrealistic expectations, the pressure to “have it all.” Female friendships offer a space where we don’t have to perform or prove anything. More importantly, they provide the rare comfort of feeling truly seen and heard—because no one understands a woman’s experience like another woman.
✔️ Stress Relief: Science backs this up! Studies have found that when women bond, the hormone oxytocin is released, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm and connection. This is sometimes called the tend and befriend response—meaning women are naturally wired to turn to their female circles for comfort, support, and problem-solving.
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The Problem? We’re Conditioned to Compete
As much as we want to be a support system for one another, let’s be honest—society hasn’t always made it easy. From an early age, women are often taught to:
Compete for attention.
Compete for beauty standards.
Compete for careers, opportunities, and validation.
It’s no coincidence that narratives like the “catty woman,” the “mean girl,” or the “pick-me girl” are so common in media. They reinforce the idea that women are naturally jealous of one another, rather than collaborative and supportive. But when we buy into these beliefs, we do ourselves a huge disservice.
The truth? Another woman’s success does not take away from your own. If anything, it paves the way for more opportunities.
How to Strengthen and Nurture Female Friendships
So, how do we make sure we’re creating friendships that empower rather than drain us? Here are some practical ways to foster stronger female connections:
🌿 Be Intentional About Staying in Touch: Life gets busy, but friendships require effort. Send that text. Schedule that coffee date. A simple “thinking of you” message can go a long way.
🌿 Celebrate Her Wins—Genuinely: If another woman is thriving, cheer for her! When we normalize celebrating each other instead of feeling threatened, we all win.
🌿 Drop the Judgment: We don’t have to agree on everything to support each other. Friendships flourish when they’re built on acceptance rather than unrealistic expectations.
🌿 Offer (and Accept) Support Without Shame: Many women struggle to ask for help because we’ve been conditioned to be “strong” all the time. Let’s normalize reaching out and showing up for each other.
🌿 Be the Friend You Wish to Have: Kindness, consistency, and authenticity go a long way. If we want deep, meaningful friendships, we have to be willing to show up with the same energy we’d love to receive.
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A Final Thought: Together, We Rise
There is something unshakable about women who uplift other women. When we choose to support each other rather than compete, we create communities that are stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
So, send that message to a friend today. Remind her that she’s amazing. Show up for the women around you in ways that matter. Because at the end of the day, when one of us wins, we all win.
Let’s keep this conversation going! Follow me on Instagram and Threads for more insights on mental health, personal growth, and the power of community. And most importantly, here’s to the power of female friendships! May we nurture them, may we cherish them, and may we never take them for granted. 💛
by Maria Perdomo-Torres, LCSW-S, MHA, CFSW
