I have a confession: I love Law and Order: SVU.
Yes, the stories are often harrowing and troubling. But I keep coming back—season after season—because of Olivia Benson.
I know she’s fictional, but to me, she represents so many women.
- She’s strong yet compassionate.
- She speaks up for what she believes in—but she also knows when to pick her battles.
- She loves her family and friends deeply.
- She believes victims, even when they look “bad on paper.”
- She sees people when others turn away.
- And she never, ever gives up.
While watching Season 25, Episode 13, Olivia spoke to the mother of an abducted girl—one who had finally come home. With so much grace, she said:
“You know my job has a lot of responsibilities. But the one thing that I’ve learned to value the most is the duty to hope.”
In a job steeped in crime, violence, and the worst of society, Olivia Benson has given herself permission to hope. And just as importantly—she gives that same permission to others.
Hope and Entrepreneurship
And it got me thinking:
What about women entrepreneurs? What about our duty to hope?
Let’s face it—being a woman entrepreneur can be hard.
Even with progress in equality, most of us are still running every part of our business while taking care of kids, aging parents, pets, homes, and everything in between. We’re the CEOs, the caregivers, the counselors, the cooks—and somehow, we’re expected to keep smiling even when we’re dying inside.
We spend so much time doing that it’s easy to lose ourselves. The overwhelm becomes real. The pressure builds. And despite our incredible gifts and sense of purpose, some women walk away from their businesses—not because they weren’t capable, but because they were exhausted. Alone. Discouraged.
I understand. I’ve been there. I’ve wanted to throw in the towel—even recently.
But then I hear Olivia Benson’s words again:
“The one thing that I’ve learned to value the most is the duty to hope.”
And I remember that among our many responsibilities, the duty to hope is sacred.
We have a duty to hope.
To dream again.
To keep showing up for the people we are meant to serve.
To believe in fair compensation, fulfilling work, and financial freedom.
To trust that we’re not alone.
To ask for help.
To say no when we need to.
To put our needs first—yes, even if your kid, your husband, or your pet cockatiel is demanding otherwise.
Hope isn’t a wish. It’s a decision. A responsibility. A practice.
And if Olivia Benson can cling to hope while standing in the darkest corners of humanity, we can hold onto it too—one courageous, messy, beautiful step at a time. I am rooting for you, and never forget about your duty to hope. It’s an important one.