When Women Show Up

By Monique Kavanagh

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the quiet power of women—how we show up for each other, often without needing to be asked.

The past couple of weeks really brought it home. I spent time with friends I’ve known for over 30 years—women who’ve seen every version of me and still meet me with honesty, deep laughs, and so much love. They even laugh at my jokes. They are, objectively, excellent humans.

With these women, everything is grounded in knowing each other so well. Every conversation feels like a soft place to land. It reminded me how lucky I am to be known—really known.

Then I arrived to visit Marea—feeling pretty rough physically (it could not have been 8 days with old friends, great food, and long nights :-)—and without missing a beat, she wrapped me in a figurative blanket (and literally put me to bed), brewed her signature chicken broth, and just took care of me. No drama, no questions—just that quiet, familiar kind of care.

And it hit me again: this is what women do. We notice. We show up. We care—instinctively and generously.

We also saw this play out in the most beautiful way at Camp Joy Cotignac this June. Most of the women arrived as strangers, not knowing quite what to expect. But by the end of the week, they were calling each other sisters. They laughed, cried, danced, shared, and supported one another like they’d known each other for years. And—our hearts burst just thinking about it—they’ve already planned a reunion without us prompting them. It’s happening this September, and we’re so excited to attend. That’s the kind of connection we dreamed about creating.

It’s easy to overlook how much that matters. But when we make space for each other—in conversations, kitchens, long walks, and little moments—it adds up to something powerful.

Somewhere along the way (possibly mid-broth), I connected the dots: this is exactly what Camp Joy is about. It’s not just the beautiful places or the curated experiences—it’s how we come together. The way we listen, laugh, support, and show up for one another. Fully.

Honestly. With zero pretense and a lot of heart.

So wherever you are this week—feeling great or a little off—know that this community is here. And that even the smallest moments of connection can mean more than we realize.

With care, and fully on the mend,

Monique

Camp Joy