(Photography by Jez Smith for Berlei) After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, where Markle recounted her alleged experience of mental health issues, sexism and racism during her time as part of the British royal family, the former number one tennis champion Serena Williams took to her Instagram almost immediately.
“Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives – and leads by example – with empathy and compassion,” she begins. “She teaches me every day what it is to be truly noble.”
It’s a genuine loving post supporting a friend, but it is also an example of how one of the world’s most successful and competitive women, is (and has always) been a champion and supporter of women. It’s well known female empowerment is a topic close to her heart, especially since the birth of her daughter Olympia in 2017; she has openly spoken about the role model she wants to be for her.
“I always want to make sure that [Olympia] feels that I’m there for her, but then I also want her to know that you not only have to be there for others, but you have to be there for yourself,” she explains.
It’s this balance, between supporting others and caring for her own mental health, that Williams has focused on, she says, over the past few years. And it’s also something she alludes to as her post continues. What began as an outpouring of support for Markle, finishes with an admission that Williams herself has also experienced sexism and racism at the hands of the media (and as well as in person, most recently at the Melbourne Open when she was verbally abused).
“I know firsthand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of colour to minimise us, to break us, down and demonise us,” she writes, finishing with: “The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimisation are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal.”
While Williams’ influence can’t be denied, she has 12.9m followers on Instagram alone (roughly half of Australia’s population), the mere fact that one of the greatest female athletes of all time, known for her mental resilience and fortitude, recognises the effects of perpetual and long-standing racism and sexism, shows just how far-reaching these issues still are today. And just how far we, as a global community, have to go.
T Australia sat down with Serena Williams to chat about women in leadership roles, being a role model for her daughter and how 2020 affected her and her family.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
“I think female empowerment means uplifting the women around you. The success of one woman should be an inspiration to the next. And so that means you have to support each other and be inspired by each other and nothing else. I’ve just worked with Berlei on a campaign that’s all about women supporting women. It’s so important that we nurture confidence in each other.”
What do you hope 2021 brings in terms of women in leaderships roles?
How important is it for your daughter to see you as both a mother and a successful athlete?
“For me, what is most important for my daughter to see in me is that I am a good person and that I stay true to myself. That’s the best example we can set for the next generation.”
And talking about your daughter, what would you like to teach her about being healthy and confident?
Last year was a challenging year, what was the biggest lesson you felt you learned?
“This year has made me reflect on what it means to be a ‘citizen of the world,’ and what that means today—the vigilance we are practicing right now isn’t just for ourselves, but for the greater good of humanity as a whole. When you look at that big picture, you realise how connected we all are and how much our actions can affect other people you’ve never met, all around the world.”
