In a world where women are expected to be superheroes — juggling demanding careers, caregiving responsibilities, social pressures, and their own well-being without complaint — the mask is beginning to slip. More and more women are simply walking away from the unrealistic expectations placed on them. And who can blame them?
I was recently part of a conversation that left me both reflective and frustrated. A young journalist, who was interviewing female entrepreneurs and who had clearly done his homework and studied our website in detail, asked why I had left the corporate world so many years ago. When I explained that I had stepped away to care for my beloved mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s, his response surprised me. Rather than acknowledging the emotional and physical weight of that decision, he quickly pointed out, “But your website says you left to build Explorer Hop.”
That moment made me pause.
Yes, I did go on to create Explorer Hop — a mission-driven organization that empowers young people with financial literacy. But the journey to create an organization to equip youth with life skills, began in my role as a caregiver, not as a founder. The truth is, my exit from the corporate world wasn’t part of some grand entrepreneurial plan. It was a deeply personal decision made out of love, necessity, and responsibility.
The reality is that governments and health systems have failed to provide adequate care options for the elderly. For many in the “sandwich generation” like me—caring for aging parents while supporting their own children—choices are limited and support is scarce. This lack of systemic care places an unfair burden on women, forcing many to make impossible decisions alone, without the help they deserve.
But here’s the bigger question: Why do we still shame women for stepping away from careers to care for loved ones?
Let’s be honest — the corporate world has not evolved enough to accommodate the lived experiences of women. Taking time off to raise children, care for elderly parents, or even to care for themselves is still viewed as a “setback” in a woman’s career. Meanwhile, men in similar situations are often applauded for making the same choices.
What if we redefined success for women? What if we said: It’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to prioritize family. It’s okay to not be everything, all at once, to everyone. Because frankly, this expectation that we must power through everything without grumbling is exhausting. And women are — quite simply — fed up.
We are fed up with pretending that we can work a full day, come home to cook, help with homework, care for aging parents, stay fit, sleep 8 hours, and still smile through it all. We are fed up with being told to “lean in” when we’re already on tiptoe. We are fed up with being questioned when we make choices that prioritize caregiving over corporate titles.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to equip women — and girls — with the financial tools and knowledge to make these decisions from a place of strength, not sacrifice. When a woman understands money, she can take control of her future. She can choose how to provide care, without fear of losing her independence. She can walk away from toxic work cultures. She can build something better. Financial literacy isn’t just about dollars — it’s about dignity, freedom, and power.
So yes, I left the corporate world. Yes, I built a business. But I did it after making the hardest, and at the same time, the simplest decision of my life — to care for my mother. It is a decision millions of women before me have made. And we should all be able to say that openly, proudly, and without judgment.
Because at the end of the day, taking care of someone you love is not a failure. It is strength. It is sacrifice. And it should be recognized and appreciated.