As we journey through the fabric of narratives that shape our society, we’ve encountered numerous lies woven intricately into the tales we tell and the beliefs we carry. From the myth that women need awakening, often by a kiss from a man, to the notion that women in distress need rescuing from their towered prisons, we've unmasked the deep-seated biases embedded in our stories. We’ve tackled the lie suggesting that when women ascend to power, they become embodiments of cruelty. Today, we turn our focus to the fourth lie, a misconception just as entrenched and misleading: when women have power, they inevitably wield it with deceit and manipulation.

History and folklore offer a multitude of examples. Consider the cunning stepmother in "Cinderella" who schemes relentlessly to supplant Cinderella's position in her father's heart. Recall the malicious intentions of the stepmother in "Sleeping Beauty," using her power to eliminate Beauty, her perceived competition. Such narratives beg the question: Why, when powerful women are depicted, are they often portrayed as deceitful and manipulative?

At the core, this stereotype stems from a lack of trust in women’s power.

By perpetuating a narrative where powerful women are underhanded and treacherous, society reinforces the dangerous message that women cannot be entrusted with authority and leadership. This is a grave disservice to both women and society at large.

True power, irrespective of gender, emanates from the heart. If the heart is sincere and virtuous, the power manifested will mirror those attributes. While there's a longstanding adage that "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely," it's essential to challenge and perhaps even revise this narrative. Especially in the context of women, it's a tale spun with threads of bias.

The power inherent in women is not dominion over others but the 'power to'. It's the power to liberate, create, include, support, nurture, guide, and uplift. It's time we dispel these ingrained misconceptions and replace them with an authentic representation of female power.

Instead of cowering in the face of women’s potential, we can applaud, cherish, and unreservedly trust it. It’s paramount that women harness their innate, intuitive, and profound power. We can leave behind tales of deceit and manipulation and build narratives of equity and equality.