For generations, women have faced significant pressures in both personal and professional spheres, often expected to balance career ambitions, family responsibilities, and societal expectations with composure. While resilience is widely valued, the expectation to endure challenges without visible struggle raises important questions about how society recognizes and responds to women’s experiences.
“The world is not getting easier for women,” says Melissa Saleh, a former journalist and serial entrepreneur. “The pressures of building a career, finding a partner, creating financial stability in a changing world, and then conceiving, bearing, and raising children have become near-unbearable, to the point where women are either being prevented from having kids or finding themselves forced out of the workforce once they do.”
Balancing these demands can be complex, particularly when it comes to reproductive health and motherhood. Issues such as infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, and birth trauma are increasingly common, yet many women feel their experiences are not openly acknowledged.
Recognizing the Realities of Reproductive Health
“Women are taught to shrink their pain, to tuck it away in quiet corners where it won’t make others uncomfortable,” says Saleh. “At the same time, the rates of reproductive struggles are increasing, and women are facing more challenges than ever when it comes to having children.”
For those who experience loss, the grief can be profound, yet conversations about miscarriage and stillbirth are not always given the space they deserve. In many cases, individuals feel pressure to return to daily life quickly, despite the emotional and physical toll.
“After losing my daughter at birth, I was in a tremendous amount of pain. It blinded me,” shares one mother. “It was the hardest period of my life; I had to endure months of trauma therapy and grief counseling, but it transformed me. Because pain is not a stain that makes you unworthy of being seen—it is a thread woven into the fabric of who you are. A mark of endurance, not of brokenness.”
Encouraging Open Conversations and Support
When people feel they must suppress their struggles, it can lead to feelings of isolation. Having open discussions about loss, mental health, and the pressures of balancing different roles can foster understanding and support.
Recognizing the challenges individuals face, particularly in the context of reproductive health, could help shape policies and workplace cultures that offer flexibility, mental health resources, and acknowledgment of personal experiences.
Pain and resilience are deeply personal, and acknowledging these realities can create a more supportive environment. By fostering conversations and ensuring access to necessary resources, society can better support individuals navigating complex life experiences.
About Melissa Saleh
Melissa Saleh is a force of nature—former lawyer and journalist turned serial entrepreneur, masterful storyteller, and advocate for survivors of trauma. With a career spanning technology, media, and brand strategy, she has shaped the narratives of Fortune 500 giants and startups alike, helping them carve out their place in a fast-moving world. As the co-founder of FairPlayAI, she works to promote equity and reduce bias in automated decision-making.
Melissa is a sought-after speaker on personal transformation, resilience, and leadership, bringing raw honesty and hard-earned wisdom to every stage she steps onto. Having endured an ultimate trauma, the loss of a child, she speaks from a place of deep experience—turning pain into purpose and showing others how to navigate trauma with courage and hope. Her insights on the power of personal growth, the grit of women entrepreneurs, and the nuanced experiences of women leaders make her voice both necessary and unforgettable.
In her personal life, Melissa’s multiracial, interfaith marriage and family adds another layer to her perspective. She offers a refreshing take on what it means to bridge different worlds and how to navigate this while facing societal prejudices. Whether through her work or her personal journey, she challenges audiences to embrace change, turn adversity into strength, and lead with unshakable authenticity.
