No matter what sex, race, class or religion we were born into, we’ve all faced oppression of some kind, whether subtle or horrific. Oppression offers us a choice: to be the victim or to rise above. Though I never faced tough oppression from the outside world, I faced my own inner demons. For more than two decades I was challenged by a ceaseless inner dialogue that kept me stuck in fear and disconnected from my power. Every day I’m thankful that I chose to rise above that fear and accept self-love instead. I made the commitment to rise for self and in that I found my purpose: to help others rise from their own fears and accept their hidden power. The words of Maya Angelou in her poem “Still I Rise” represent the fearless warrior within us all, our inner presence of power that has no choice but to rise: You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise… (excerpt) Today I have the great privilege of inviting you to participate in a campaign to celebrate the new ascent of women. Beyoncé launched a new campaign: RISE, inspired by Maya Angelou’s uplifting poem reflective of the female struggle and overcoming oppression. Watch this video and join us in the campaign #IRiseForSelf. Tell us how you RISE for self! Through social media share your photos and video stories of how you RISE for self and empower other women to do the same. Use the hashtag #IRiseForSelf. To celebrate the launch of Beyoncé’s 8th fragrance, RISE, I’m sharing my IRiseForSelf story along with four other influential women as a way to inspire women everywhere to share their own stories of personal ascent via a contest/campaign entitled #IRiseForSelf. We invite you to engaged via call-to-action video and photo posts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to upload your own photos and stories, including your location and the hashtag #IRiseForSelf. Fans with the most engaged photos have an opportunity to win a bottle of RISE autographed by Beyoncé, and 1 lucky fan will be chosen to have her story brought to life through a custom RISE experience which she’ll never forget. To enter, tag your location and #IRiseForSelf. For full rules & restrictions: click here.