Gen Z women redefine the term 'girlboss'

Photo by Christopher Emmanuel Goueti

Bound by friendship and youth, four women sit shoulder to shoulder before an audience eager to learn how they elevated themselves from entrepreneurs to girlbosses.   

A discussion panel spotlighting these women's careers delves into how their culture, values, and obstacles they've overcome drive their success in competitive fields. As women of color who built their careers from the ground up, they share insights from stitching handbags, writing press releases, editing magazines and advocating for change in today's political climate. For them, being a girlboss means leaving doubt behind and executing their passions with purpose.   

The term "girlboss" gained popularity when #Girlboss, Sophia Amoruso's autobiography, became a phenomenon in 2014. It glorified hustle culture, promoted toxic work-life balance and encouraged women to trade morals for recognition. Still, Gen Z women are leading the girlboss movement—with one condition: authenticity. They're not biting their tongues, bowing their heads or taking shortcuts. 

"Narrowing it down, being a girlboss is someone who's not afraid of no's, who can take it with stride, and just keeps going," said editor-in-chief of Jinxx Magazine, Aisha Micourt. The urban magazine, founded in 2023, showcases the talents of individuals pursuing careers in journalism, styling, and fashion design.  

The number of women-owned businesses is skyrocketing across all ethnicities in the United States, exacerbating the number of female executives earning bachelor's degrees and solidifying their presence in male-dominated fields, according to a report from the Capital Black Chamber of Commerce.   

With the eeriness of today's job market, Gen Z women are taking steps towards financial freedom and rebuking the idea of being confined to the desks of corporate America. 

 

Despite the motivation encouraging these women to excel in their careers, they face the hardship of financial instability, societal expectations and the lack of instant gratification.

   

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Tianna Osbourne is a designer who incorporates originality into her streetwear brand, "BOURNESTAR." She expresses the difficulties of not seeing lucrative progress within her business, forcing her to reevaluate her priorities, friendships and potential.  

"Last year, I wanted to quit because sales were horrible. I had bills to pay," Osbourne said. "Thankfully, I didn't." Being a girlboss often lies in her ability to believe she's made it, even when the narrative takes a bleak turn. BOURNESTAR is now sold at Urban Outfitters.  

Creative fields are cutthroat because of high demand and limited opportunities. In the 90s, you were guaranteed a job so long as you obtained an education. Today, a portfolio speaks louder than a degree, exhibiting your ability to perform in industries that require extensive experience. These women voice the need for tolerance in merciless sectors, as the weight they carry may be discouraging to some. Careers in fashion, public relations, and activism are often glamorized and oversaturated due to the large number of individuals who are unaware of the stakes. It's not about reputation—it's about results.  

Being a go-getter is a girlboss requirement. However, taking a moment to reflect on your character when monetizing from your career is crucial. Creative fields are constantly emerging with new ideas, trends, and talent, so it's essential not only to enjoy the process but trust it. "We're sometimes in a rush to make a lot of money, be the biggest brand, have this big name for ourselves, said Kat Guzman, a Queens native working in fashion pr. "It's important to appreciate the grind and your way getting up there."  

Millennial women girlbossed differently. They kept their eye on the prize, doing whatever it took to climb the corporate ladder, even if it meant self-destructing. Girlbossing isn't as relevant as it used to be, as it lost its hype across social media by 2021, when "the Great Resignation" took over. Gen Z doesn't care as much as millennials did and, in turn, aren't willing to sacrifice their peace of mind for a paycheck.  

These women aren't chasing power trips—they're reclaiming space. "Reclaim your identities, reclaim your stories, reclaim your power," said panelist and community activist Iman Abdul. The term girlboss isn't dead—it's evolving.