About Us

Learn more about Ditch the Bitch Stigma and Kali Williams.

What is the bitch stigma?

We all know it’s bad to be called a bitch. In fact most women are taught from a very young age that it’s one of the worst things to be called (perhaps only second to being called a slut.) While some pop culture has been reclaiming the word in recent years, it’s still considered to be a very particular kind of insult when calling women a bitch.

Bitch Stigma is a phrase I’ve coined to describe the legitimate fear many women feel in their personal and professional lives, that they will be judged harshly for being assertive.

This sexist sentiment says that women who are described as bitchy, bossy, or domineering can’t get ahead and won’t be liked. The stigma that women feel when it comes to being assertive (and therefore often being labeled as bitchy, bossy or domineering) is a very real concern and creates self-doubt.

Some things the bitch stigma affects...

Feeling like you’re not allowed to complain or will be called a drama queen.

Being talked over during conversations or being accused of dominating conversations.

Having to use apologetic or softening language to ask for what you want.

Not being able to point out sexist jokes because you’ll be told you have no sense of humor.

Meet Kali Williams

Kali Williams is the author and community organizer behind Ditch the Bitch Stigma: Embrace Your Inner Badass. She’s a former dominatrix, longtime entrepreneur, speaker, and feminist who uses storytelling and her unconventional background to help women embrace their power, use their voice, and take up more space.

Right now Kali is hard at work launching the Bitch Stigma book and running the Bitch Stigma meetups and workshops in the San Francisco area.

Connect with Kali

The bitch stigma book

Women are socialized from a young age to be many things: agreeable, soft, nurturing, and encouraging. Above all, at all costs, we're taught to avoid being labelled a bitch. But we live in a society where any display of confidence--from communicating directly to setting boundaries to simply pursuing our ambitions--can get us thrown into that dreaded category.

Whether you've already embraced your inner badass but could use an extra nudge to keep standing tall, or you're just starting to search for your confidence, Ditch the Bitch Stigma is for women who've had enough, who are done with always catering to others, putting ourselves second, and sacrificing our own needs and desires.

GET the book