Here we are, in the 21st century, with more women in the workforce than ever before. We’ve got female CEOs, governors, and even a few senators who can proudly say they’ve crossed the political Rubicon. Yet, despite all of this progress, one has to wonder: where’s the real support from the progressive women’s groups and self-proclaimed feminists? You’d think with all the talk about woman power and breaking the glass ceiling, there would be a communal cheerleading squad. But no, what we get instead is a cacophony of silence—or worse, disapproval—when one of their own dares to succeed without the right ideological string-pulling.

It’s a curious conundrum, isn’t it? They say no one hates a successful woman more than another woman, and it seems like we’re staring down the barrel of that adage. You’d think that women leading the charge for equality would be tossing confetti every time another female breaks through the fog of gender bias. But instead, there seems to be a loathing that simmers just below the surface whenever a woman ascends the ranks. If you dare to achieve success outside the parameters defined by the “progressive” sisterhood, be prepared for a backlash. It’s almost as if the unwritten rule is: you must fall in line with the prescribed narrative, or you’ll be tossed aside like last week’s magazine.

Take a look at some of those so-called progressive groups, where allyship is only extended to women who check off every single box on the intersectionality checklist. Are you a successful businesswoman? Great, but do you also espouse the right views on every hot-button issue from climate change to reproductive rights? Because if not, you might find yourself on the receiving end of a wave of vitriol from your fellow supposed feminists, who’d rather amplify the voice of mediocre talent as long as it falls in line with their doctrine.

What happened to empowerment? It seems to have become a polite facade behind which these groups can hide their disdain for women who forge their own paths. Succeeding is supposed to be a shared victory, but instead, it feels like a contest to see who can be the loudest critic. It’s disheartening. Here you have women who should know what it’s like to fight against the tide, not just against oppressive systems, but against the judgments and bitterness of their own gender.

And let’s not forget about the workplace. Rather than pushing to promote women based on merit, some groups seem more preoccupied with ensuring that every hire ticks the right boxes rather than lifting those who have genuinely earned the positions through hard work. Women in management or government positions should stand as beacons of possibility for the next wave of female leaders, not as targets for critique because they happen to disagree with the feminist canon of contemporary politics.

The most frustrating part is seeing how those in power wield their influence with the subtlety of a meat cleaver, slicing through opportunities for women who might not fit their narrow definition of “acceptable.” Female politicians who don’t conform to their ideals? Forget it. Successful businesswomen who dare to embrace traditional values? Banned from the sisterhood.

At some point, we have to ask ourselves: what happened to the fight for women? When the politics of envy overshadow the call for sisterhood, we’re doing a disservice not just to those fighting for recognition but to the movement itself. It’s as if we’ve traded a united front for petty squabbling and tribalism, and that’s a tragedy.

So here’s a call to action: let’s stand together—realistically and authentically—regardless of our differences. It’s time to support one another’s successes, not resent them. Time to redefine what it means to be a feminist in America, to ensure the cause advances at the pace of real progress. Because if we can’t uplift each other, then what’s the point of the fight?

So, to the progressive women’s groups and the raving feminists out there: let’s hash out the real differences in those back rooms, but when we step into the public eye, let’s show the world how strong we can be when we stand united. Because, in the end, real change doesn’t come from backbiting and rancor; it comes from solidarity and support.

Let’s show them what true sisterhood looks like.