“There is a growing strength in women but it’s in the forehead, not the forearm” – Beverly Sills
The month of March is designated as Women’s History Month in several countries, inspired by International Women’s Day, occurring on March 8th. The day and the month are set aside to recognize of the contributions of women and to support gender equality.
The concept dates back to the early 20th century, when, in 1909, a National Women’s Day was observed in the United States, in recognition of the 1908 protests in New York City by garment workers against their poor working environment.
The idea spread across the pond to Europe and beyond over the the rest of the century, and in 1975, the United Nations designated March 8th as International Women’s Day.
This year, Women’s History Month honors “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence.” According to the National Women’s History Alliance, “…the drive for nonviolent change has been championed by visionary women. These women consciously built supportive, nonviolent alternative and loving communities as well as advocating change.” I’ve been reading about the history of some of the women advocates, and it’s fascinating and inspiring.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day was the promotion of gender balance, in the workplace, in education, in communities, everywhere. Cool concept, right?
Although, if I’m being real, I don’t believe that kind of equity is not going to happen in the near future. While tremendous advances have been made with respect to gender equality over the past few decades, I fear that the current U.S. political atmosphere is going to do nothing to advance the cause of equality, and not just gender equality. In fact, I feel like it’s moving actively against it. I do hope, however, that we can stop the pendulum swing well before I get shipped off to the Colonies, and in time for my daughters to know greater parity in life than I have.
That said, this month and day needs to recognized, not so much as a celebration, but as a reminder to commit ourselves to lift one another up. A reminder that over half the world’s population is female, and therefore, the future has to be inclusive.
Pontification and politics aside, I would like to give a few shout-outs to the kinds of women who should be acknowledged during this month, as well as every single other month on the calendar:
The women working their way through post-secondary education efforts, whether it’s a technical or trade school, college, grad school or beyond. Those who are paying their bills and putting in their time, so they can make a contribution to the workforce as well as their families.
The survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, who were able to remove themselves and their children/siblings/parent from that situation. Also, to those women and girls who may not have a choice but to stay and endure, may they find the resources and strength to persevere and survive.
The women who provide knowledge, guidance and love and support to children who are not their own, every single day, as caretakers and teachers.
The divorced women who have every other weekend without their kids, and do what they want on those weekends off without guilt, knowing that when it’s their weekend “on”, there is no “off” button.
The women who are defying gender stereotypes in their chosen professions, whether as executives, blue collar workers, scientists, and everything else in between that has been traditionally male-dominated.
The women who have lost their spouses to violence, illness, or abandonment, who do their best every freaking day to maintain a healthy and happy household.
The women who have decided that getting married and/or having children is not for them. By the way, they have absolutely no need to hear, from anyone, that they’ll surely change their minds, else they will regret it when they’re older.
The women who stand up! The women who call out misogynistic behavior by their male co-workers, friends, family and strangers. Those who refuse to be bystanders, but rather, are stand-by-hers.
The women who are stay-at-home mothers, who decide to exit (or not enter) the workforce so that they can devote their time to their children and their household. As with the decision to not have children, this is not a situation to be judged or commented on.
The women who volunteer for schools, sports teams, libraries, and elsewhere in their communities and beyond, for the sole purpose of giving.
The women who disrupt! The women who put on pink hats and marched. The record number of women who have run for public office over the last couple of years, who are doing their best to tamp down the patriarchy. The women who start campaigns, take to the streets, address the government directly, and more, in order to defend basic human rights, women’s rights to biological autonomy, as well as our most vulnerable members of society.
The women who are unfailingly champions of other women. Those who mentor, support, and uplift; whether in academic, personal or professional settings.
The women of every day. The women you work with, are friends with, are related to. The women who ask if they can help you find anything while you’re shopping, the women who compassionately provide health services, the women who deliver food to your table while you’re dining out, the women who give you understanding nods and high-fives with their eyes when you’re struggling with a toddler tantrum in the grocery store, or a scornful teenager in a dressing room.
Please understand that this is by no means a comprehensive list of women who deserve acknowledgement. There are so many more that are occurring to me even as I write this, but this is at least a start.
So I ask you to take notice. See and understand the women around you. Notice the woman shopping next to you, who is wearing a beautiful skirt, and tell her. See the woman in the minivan in the drive through line ahead of you, and pay for her coffee and the muffins she’s getting for her kids. Hear the woman in your doctor’s office whose voice is straining as she’s being made to wait more than an hour for her appointment, and talk to her. Listen to your friend, who is saying she is fine, but her tone and body language is telling you something different. Ask the woman, who appears to be struggling with her packages at the post office, if you can assist her.
And kindly indulge me and thank your mom, your grandmother, your aunts, cousins, your best friends, and anyone else who has been an important woman in your life. Even if it’s a silent thought of gratitude, these are the kinds of women who have helped make YOU the undeniably unique, incredible woman that you are.
Lastly, I give you the words of A.A. Milne, speaking through Christopher Robin, as what you need to know about yourself: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you know. “
Until next time,
Just Breathe…
The Twisted Maven
©thetwistedmaven.com, 2019