How 80's Movie 'Working Girl' Shaped My View on Ambition, Confidence, and Breaking Barriers

I was younger when I first watched it, but even then, something about Tess McGill’s journey resonated with me. Here was a woman with ambition, determination, and smarts, yet she was constantly underestimated. Sound familiar? For many women, especially those striving to carve out their place in a professional world that often favours the status quo, Tess was more than just a character—she was a beacon of possibility.

At the heart of Working Girl was the message that talent and hard work should matter more than privilege or connections. Tess didn’t have an Ivy League degree or the "right" background, but she had drive, resilience, and an ability to see opportunities where others saw closed doors. She also had a voice—one she learned to use, even when it was shaky, even when she wasn’t sure she would be taken seriously.

That was a lesson I carried with me into my own career. Whether it was walking into meetings where I was the only woman at the table, or pushing past imposter syndrome to claim my own space in the business world, Working Girl instilled in me the belief that confidence and capability can be just as powerful as credentials.

Of course, Tess’s journey wasn’t just about her career; it was about self-worth. Her transformation wasn’t just external (though the 80s power suits and big hair were iconic); it was internal. She realized she didn’t need to shrink herself to fit into a world that wasn’t built for her—she needed to make the world recognize what she had to offer.

Looking back, I see how much Working Girl was ahead of its time. It tackled gender dynamics in the workplace, the importance of mentorship (both good and bad), and the reality that women often have to fight harder to be seen and heard. And though we’ve come a long way since the 80s, so many of those themes still ring true today.

Because if Tess taught us anything, it’s this: when someone tells you no, find another way in.

And nothing brings that feeling rushing back like the first few notes of Let the River Run. The moment I hear Carly Simon’s voice soar, I’m instantly transported to that sense of ambition, possibility, and determination. It’s more than just a song—it’s a battle cry for every woman who has ever dared to dream bigger.

Now, as I navigate a new chapter of my career—one focused on empowering women through my menopause business—I find myself once again drawing inspiration from Tess McGill. Her story reminds me that reinvention is always possible, that no dream is too big, and that the only way to create the future we want is to step forward and claim it.

So here’s to the Working Girls of the world—past, present, and future. May we keep breaking barriers, rewriting the rules, and proving that we belong at the table.

What about you? Did Working Girl leave an impression on you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!