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Speak Like You Mean It: Lessons from The Handmaid’s Tale and the Power of Using Your Voice

Darlene Hawley

What the emotional finale of The Handmaid’s Tale teaches us about reclaiming our voice, healing from trauma, and leading with courage.

If you’ve ever watched The Handmaid’s Tale, you know it’s not a show you just binge and forget. It stays with you... its themes, its pain, its power.

And as the final episode aired last week, the conversation on Elisabeth Moss’s fan page wasn’t about love triangles or plot twists... it was about what the series really meant.

It was about resilience.

It was about survival.

It was about finding your voice after it’s been taken.

From the first episode to the final scene, we’ve witnessed June fight... not just for her daughter, but for herself and every woman silenced by systems built to erase them.

Her story, with all its heartbreak and slow, painful healing, reminds us that reclaiming your voice doesn’t come in a loud, sweeping moment. It comes in small choices, brave words, and quiet strength over time.

As a vocal empowerment and leadership coach, I couldn’t help but see the connection to the work I do every day with women leaders and entrepreneurs. Many of us were raised to be quiet, agreeable, “nice.” We’ve been taught to shrink, not shine... to look pretty.

But the truth is this. Your voice is your power.

When we learn to speak up... for ourselves, for others, for what matters—we do more than just take up space. We shift culture. We challenge systems. We lead with courage. We give permission for other women to speak up.

The finale of The Handmaid’s Tale felt like an exhale. A deep breath that we've been holding. A reminder that healing is possible, that being a whole women is the goal... and that our voice will get us there.

If you’ve felt the heaviness of holding back, if you’re tired of not being heard or understood... then I invite you to join me this July for the Speak Up & Influence experience in partnership with C-Sweet.

It’s a four-week journey designed to help professional women reframe their self-doubt, amplify their presence, and lead powerful conversations that make a real difference... in meetings, on stages, in life.

Because no one else can tell your story.

And like June, you deserve to speak it with clarity, purpose, and impact.

👉 Join me in July: darlenehawley.com/c-sweet

To the women who are ready to speak up... your time is now.

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10 Effective Communication Tips

Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for service based entrepreneurs

Hey There!

I'm Darlene

As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.

My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.

Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.

Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.

Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.

Darlene Hawley, standing in a sunset, symbolizes being seen after feeling invisible

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Darlene with her mom and young son, smiling together—three generations captured in a quiet moment.

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Confident businesswoman Darlene Hawley speaking during a women's conference.

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Darlene Hawley discussing marketing analytics, depicting growth in website traffic.

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Darlene Hawley juggling work, school, and home responsibilities—showing the mental load we carry.

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Confident business leader speaking to a team in a bright, modern office, representing vocal empowerm

How to Speak with Confidence: A Vocal Empowerment System for Business Owners and Leaders

By Darlene Hawley • May 27, 2025

Discover how to overcome fear, clarify your message, and lead with confidence using the Step into Your Moxie® Vocal Empowerment System. In this practical guide, communication coach Darlene Hawley shares five powerful strategies to help business owners and leaders speak up, build presence, and move people to action—without losing their authentic voice. Perfect for entrepreneurs, executives, and teams ready to amplify their impact.

Darlene Hawley leading a virtual strategy session, helping service-based business owners review KPIs

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Darlene Hawley with a podcast microphone representing ongoing conversations and storytelling.

Ep 112 - Unlocking Healing and Empowerement with Dr. Shradhdha Shah