The Power of Female Friendships: Why Strong Relationships with Women Matter

There is something truly special about the bonds between women. Female friendships offer a level of emotional depth, support, and understanding that is unmatched. These relationships can be a source of strength, joy, and personal growth, and they play a crucial role in overall well-being.

In a world that often encourages competition, women lifting each other up is a radical act of love.

Here’s why having strong relationships with other women is so good for you.

1. A Safe Space for Vulnerability

There is an unspoken understanding that exists between women who truly support each other. With the right friendships, you don’t have to filter your thoughts or emotions—you can be your raw, unpolished self without fear of judgment. Whether you need to vent about something small or process something deeply personal, strong female friendships provide a space where you can share your struggles and be met with empathy.

When my mother-in-law died, my friends were who I turned to for encouragement. They let me call them and message them whenever I needed support. They sent me food, did research for me, ran errands for me, and always had a listening ear ready. It was exactly what I need to feel strong enough to be a support system for my husband, his siblings and dad.

This emotional safety is powerful. It allows you to be honest with yourself, gain perspective, and heal through connection.

2. Emotional and Mental Health Benefits

Studies have shown that close friendships contribute to lower stress levels, improved mental health, and even increased longevity. Women who have strong female friendships experience lower rates of anxiety and depression, likely due to the emotional support these relationships provide.

Having good friends is associated with a whole lot of positive health behaviors and benefits, like a 9% increase in likelihood to exercise, a 17% reduced risk of depression, and a 19% lower likelihood of having a stroke, among other findings according to a study published in Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. A study done by UCLA found that women release a hormone during periods of stress that actually make us want to bond with other women. Oxytocin is released as part of the stress responses in a woman, and it buffers the fight or flight response to a "tend and befriend" mentality. This encourages women to tend to children and gather with other women instead.

Having someone who truly listens, understands, and validates your experiences can make all the difference when facing life’s challenges. A text from a friend, a spontaneous coffee date, or a deep late-night conversation can completely shift your mindset when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

3. Celebrating Each Other’s Success

There is nothing more powerful than women celebrating each other. In a society that often pits women against one another, choosing to cheer for your friends’ successes instead of competing with them is an act of defiance.

When I found out I was going to be a speaker at Women's Entrepreneurship Week, I texted one of my dear friends and she immediately responded with "Omg!!! That's superb!! Of course they'd be foolish not to select a dynamo but still! I'm so impressed." And then she asked if she could come and what I'd be wearing. That's the kind of response you want from a friend!

Strong friendships remind you that there is room for everyone to win. The right friends will celebrate your achievements as if they were their own, and when it’s their turn, you’ll do the same. Having women in your life who genuinely want to see you thrive is invaluable.

4. Accountability and Growth

True friendships push you to become the best version of yourself. The women in your corner will call you out when you’re settling, remind you of your worth when you forget, and encourage you to chase your dreams even when you’re doubting yourself. They'll come with you to your boudoir session and cheer you on!

Good friends don’t just offer support; they challenge you. They help you see the patterns you need to break, the risks worth taking, and the opportunities you might be too afraid to grab on your own.

5. Laughter and Lightness

Some of the best moments in life come from uncontrollable laughter with a good friend. Female friendships bring joy in a way that is effortless—inside jokes, shared experiences, and the ability to turn the most mundane moments into something special. Some of my favorite memories are of me and my friends just hanging out on a couch in a dorm room or in a coffee shop.

Laughter is medicine, and having friendships that allow you to be playful, silly, and free is an important part of emotional well-being.

6. A Reminder That You’re Not Alone

Life has a way of making us feel isolated at times. Whether it’s navigating career stress, motherhood, heartbreak, or personal growth, strong friendships remind you that you’re not the only one figuring things out.

The Women's Brain Health Initiative says on their website that "when the researchers looked at how well the women functioned after the death of their spouse, they found that even in the face of this biggest stressor of all, those women who had a close friend and confidante were more likely to survive the experience without any new physical impairments or permanent loss of vitality."

There is something deeply reassuring about knowing that your friends have been through similar struggles, have survived, and are there to walk beside you through it all. Having women in your life who remind you of your own resilience is a gift.

Invest in Your Female Friendships

If you’re lucky enough to have strong female friendships, nurture them. Be intentional. Show up. Life gets busy, but prioritizing the people who make you feel seen and supported is always worth it.

And if you feel like you’re lacking deep connections with other women, don’t be afraid to seek them out. It takes effort and can be scary, but it's so worth it. I joined a women's walking group last year and a few week's ago, I got an invite to one of the member's birthday parties. One a random I didn't know messaged my business page basically saying "hey, you seem cool. Do you want to hang out?" And I took a chance and said yes, and now we go to trivia and movies and do all kinds of stuff together. She was one of my biggest supporters when I was grieving. Thank god for extroverts like her! Join a community, reach out to an old friend, or say yes to that coffee date. Meaningful friendships don’t just happen—they’re built with time, effort, and genuine care.

There is so much strength in women supporting women. Surround yourself with women who inspire, uplift, and love you fiercely, and do the same for them in return.