For many people, it takes a lot to be brave, and women working to empower other women is an important act. It’s not something that comes naturally to us all, and there are many ways in which one can show bravery and courage.

Even stepping out of your comfort zone can be a brave act, so it is only right that we observe National Brave Day, a time when women are encouraged to support one another and to be BRAVE. The day falls on the fourth Friday in September every year.

History of National Brave Day

The origins take us back to Kaci Stewart, the founder of Sweetlife Women. Having been in existence for over a decade, the company shines a focus on making women BRAVE. The day itself was coined in Kaci Stewart’s name by Sweetlife Women and is all about carrying on her good work of encouraging women to be brave.

Sweetlife Women was born out of a ministry and is dedicated to helping women make brave decisions in a world that is often unfair. Bravery is often associated with masculine behaviors, and history will show a long list of stories and films in which a man saves a woman, and a prince saves a princess, but this is not a true reflection of the bravery that happens day in and day out.

Sometimes, encouraging others to be brave is a brave act in itself. There are many tales of people standing up to others and making inappropriate comments about race, sexuality, and gender, to name a few. There are many ways of being brave, but one of the most iconic is Rosa Parks.

In 1955, in the time of segregation, she refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger. This was a brave act and a firm hand in the face of racism. When she was convicted of violating the segregation laws, she became a symbol of bravery, and her name is still associated with it to this day.

How To Observe National Brave Day

It starts with doing anything to support women. This can be helping them in a small way with a pressing issue, whether it be with childcare so they can attend that class they are trying to get to, or buying a gift card to show that they are important.

There are so many instances of bravery from women throughout time that it is nearly impossible to start listing them here. But with a little research, we can open up an incredible catalog of moments that are worth sharing.

Choose some of your favorites, and on the last Friday in September, share them online for others to see. Use the hashtag #nationalbraveday to spread the word. This is also a good place to find instances of other women being brave, and even share a story about the last time you witnessed a brave act.

Sweetlife actually runs a conference every September, so anyone looking to delve deeper and be BRAVE can use that as a good place to start.