Sue, I love your thoughtful post and, if it helps, fully support your decision friend! Since you asked for responses, the only caveat I would add to this paragraph is the word “always.” As in, “ALWAYS Reducing myself, or any woman, to women-defined topics runs the risk of undermining our breadth and richness as humans.” Because frequently the only way it’s possible to hear the real experience of women, or for women to get air-time or a megaphone on a topic, is for a platform to be restricted to women only. Especially if one wants to hear the realities experienced by normal groups of women (hat-tip: shonda rhimes).

Your and Mergelane’s contribution for women in entrepreneurship and tech has been really important and groundbreaking. I’m glad you’re taking this breather, doing what feels authentic to you, and look forward to what you have to say.