If you have wondered what this day is about, here’s a quick primer on IWD from The Official International Women’s Day 2008 website:
[…] Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. While there are many large-scale initiatives, a rich and diverse fabric of local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. […]
[…]So make a difference, think globally and act locally!! Make everyday International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.
There are women that are truly inspirational to me. Some are famous, like Wangari Maathai, Katharine Graham and Eleanor Roosevelt. Others are not famous, but they have had an influence in my life that they may not be aware of, or underestimate. Ranging from my maternal grandmother who was just fabulous in her zest for life, to my paternal grandmother whose zen-like existence is my definition of being at peace with oneself, or my mother whose lack of sentimentality has taught me how to deal with tough choices when they need to be made.
I have always been inspired by my sisters (though I’d never, ever admit this when I was younger). They forged paths for me so that I would tread more easily when my time came along, they fought my battles, they encourage my creativity (even when my games of ‘what if’ or ‘imagine if’ drive them nuts). I am always awed when I am reminded of their achievements. You sometimes forget that the girl you fought with over the placement of furniture in your bedroom when you were ten is now fighting for human rights with the same zeal, or that the skill used to devise a plan for who-gets-to-read-the-newspaper-first when you were seven would be put to plotting clever corporate strategy.
I am inspired by my women friends. I do not think of us as ‘girl’friends anymore because we are now living women’s lives, and though the frivolity of our twenties is not gone, we have grown up. We can be close without needing to be together all the time, without needing to be the cool kids, without needing to stay out all night. Whether six months or one year goes by before we meet again it does not matter because we have learned to make every second, every lunch, every dinner and phone call count. We celebrate our successes, we fuel each others interests, we make blunt assessments of our ‘issues’ and focus on the concrete matters of our lives.
For me, IWD 2008 is about my relationships with the women who enrich my life with joy, love, hope and wisdom. They make me curious, bring joy to me, push me intellectually, keep me grounded and make me passionate to live this life that I have. To the women in my life: I Salute You.
1 Comment
March 10, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Happy IWD 2008! To a woman who follows her mind and goes with what feels right! I salute you:))
To women who are confident in their choices!
To women who just get moving and get the job done without much dithering!
To women who seek to inspire and support others!
To women who are friends of women, constantly debunking the most common myth about women!
To women who are committed to the promotion of other women’s rights!
I salute you!