Hear us all Roar. (Cue: Katy Perry)
In the social media world today, Girl Up, one of my favorite organizations asked women and girls around the world to share their #GirlHero on all of their platforms to promote the day.
It got me thinking about the women in my life----some who I know, some who I admire for the work they do in the world, some who give me hope for the future and some who have taught us so much about the past.
I couldn't help but jump on board.
There are so many amazing women in this world. I've written posts in the past about many of them, so for this one, I've disqualified the usual suspects: Mom, Hillary Clinton, Best Friends.
I've chosen three women/girls for this task----because let's be honest, the list could go on forever.
First of all, someone who inspires me with the work they do for women and girls around the world:
Leymay Gbowee
A few years ago at a NAFSA conference, I had the privilege of listening to this woman speak. It was one of the most impacting 90 minutes of my life. I had already started to read her book and getting to see her speak in person brought it all to life----her existence in this world, her experience and her strength filled me with hope, appreciation and gratitude. Leymay Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize winner and author of "Mighty Be Our Powers" She is a Liberian activist responsible for leading a women's movement---filled with peaceful anger. She helped lead and organize the Liberian Mass Action for Peace. A group of Christian and Muslim women who held public protests in order to confront Liberia’s president and warlords. The group even held a sex strike (how else do you get a man's attention sometimes?) The whole idea was to involve women in the peace making process.
She is truly a fighter and the things she has helped her society and country overcome are amazing.
Secondly, someone who has taught me about myself, the strength of being a woman and the power that I have inside of me:
The Grandmother
I was pretty lucky growing up having a grandmother who cared so deeply about her family. I know that I never fully appreciated her, nor did I take all the advantages of her wisdom, but I did know that I was loved unconditionally. She was the person who I knew, deep down, was always on my side. She loved God, she loved her family and she loved me. She was humble, and spent her life working in schools. She took care of her family, was involved in the community and could bake some pretty awesome cookies. I know that I'll never know her whole story---and that makes me sad. I know that she was strong, that she raised three good men. I hope that if I have boys, mine turn out just like hers did.
Just a little less conservative.
And last, but not at all least, someone who gives me hope for the future (or in this case, two little someones)
These two little angels aren't so little anymore----but seeing them and watching them grow into young women really does remind me that the work I do, the hopes that I have to make the world around me better are because we can't fail these little ones. I look at how we, as American women are so lucky...but there is still so much work that needs to be done. There seems to be such a war on equality and women's rights that makes me want to fight even harder----with the hopes that these two darlings won't have to.
No comments:
Post a Comment