having a strong desire for success or achievement
From Latin 'ambitiosus,' from 'ambitio' (a going around), from 'ambire' (to go around, canvass for votes)
Ambitious originally meant 'going around' - like Roman politicians who would walk around the forum canvassing for votes. The idea of 'going around' to achieve your goals evolved into our modern meaning of driven and goal-oriented.
Ambition in women has historically carried negative connotations (ruthless, unfeminine) while celebrated in men. Early 20th-century literature coded female ambition as dangerous; male ambition as visionary.
Apply term equally to all genders in professional contexts. Avoid unconsciously pairing female ambition with negative modifiers ('aggressive ambition') while male ambition stays neutral.
["driven","goal-oriented","determined"]
Women's ambition—Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, Katherine Johnson—was often framed as obsession or rebellion rather than healthy ambition. Reclaim the term equally.
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