Morgan Prouse, a film public relations executive, was on cloud nine after recently winning a big promotion at work.
But there wasn’t a shower of praise for the Gothamite taking the road.
So she gave herself one.
“I had a ‘success’ shower,” Prouse, 28, a downtown resident, told The Post. “It’s a party, similar to a bridal shower or a baby shower, but it celebrates the personal and professional successes that my friends and I have achieved.”
The achievement-focused celebrations, rooted in female empowerment, see working women in the Big Apple and beyond put in the spotlight for life achievements outside of marriage and motherhood.
And while becoming a bride or a mother are, indeed, important victories—they certainly aren’t the only victories a girl should break out.
As fewer Gen Zs and millennials are prioritizing hooking up or hosting kids due to the slush dating pool and the high cost of raising kids, dynamo divas across the country are instead rush for big titles and paychecks.
A recent Pew Research study found that young women earn as much as, or more than, their male counterparts in 22 metropolitan cities across the country—including NYC, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles—according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. US Census.
However, their workplace triumphs rarely warrant any celebratory fanfare.
Kellie Gerardi, a married mother and astronaut for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), says her “career” showers solve this error.
“I have a lot of supportive women in my family,” Gerardi, 35, of Jupiter, Florida, tells The Post. “We’ve always had a ‘celebrate all things’ approach to life’s important moments.”
“I love that my 6-year-old daughter is growing up to see that even the sky is not the limit for her dreams.”
Kellie Gerardi, married mom and astronaut
In honor of her upcoming space flight in 2026 – she is one of the first 100 women in history to fly in space and is the second journey in the cargo specialist’s otherworldly career – Gerard’s mother, Marion, hosted a “Space Shower” brunch this July. The heavenly shindig came complete with cosmic-themed cookies, decorations and friendship bracelets.
“My favorite part was probably the heartfelt toast from my mom,” said the researcher, who hosts career showers for friends earning PhDs and relatives who have hit the ground running in the horticultural world.
“I love that my 6-year-old daughter is growing up to see that the sky’s not the limit for her dreams,” Gerardi added, “and that all of her [victories] worth celebrating.”
Amy Chan, 42, an author and relationship coach from Vancouver, agrees.
“Why do we consider just having a baby or getting married as important enough reasons to celebrate a woman when there is so much more that makes up a woman’s identity?” she posed for The Post. “I’ve attended many showers and spent a lot of money on gifts for these events, but since I’m childless, I’ve never been to a party like this.”
That all changed in June when Chan’s friends commemorated her second book deal with an intimate career shower dinner.
Instead of physical gifts, guests were asked to bring “a gift of wisdom,” such as a life or business lesson well learned, to share with the eight attendees. And instead of playing games, entertainers took turns asking for career advice and support.
A cute cake with “Independent Rich Woman” written in icing served as the pièce de résistance.
“Celebrating a professional success doesn’t put someone off having a bridal shower or a baby shower,” said Chan, who has hosted several charity films for loved ones over the past year. “I take my friendships seriously and it brings me happiness to throw these showers for my friends.”
Prouse and her party partner Brooke Azzaro, 27, who have hosted annual success showers for themselves and their girl crew members since April 2022, echoed those sentiments.
The pair held their most recent soiree for 20 beauties in Central Park this June.
“New York City is a unique place — if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere,” said Azzaro, an ad agency producer. “Women have this extra pressure to perform at an extraordinary level – and we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others.”
“Because of that, it’s extremely important to lift up the people around you,” she added, “and remind them that they’re doing extraordinary things.”
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Image Source : nypost.com