It’s been hard keeping up with my writing lately. But today is International Women’s Day, and my head is bursting with emotion because of so much inspiration around me. I could fill this page with names of women who’ve changed the world. And I could do a quick Google search and fill hundreds more pages.
Even though things are terrifying in many ways right now, I believe we are in a very exciting time of transformation in history. I also believe that women have led SO Much of that change, and I’m so thankful to be alive in this moment. So I want to put something out into the world in recognition of all the women in my personal sphere of influence and support, all those pioneers who have brought us to where we’ve come so far, and all the women on the horizon who are actively working to make this a better place for all of us to live and thrive equally.
Along with Susan B. Anthony, Hedy Lamar, Harriet Tubman, and countless others, I think of my grandmothers, who although did not have much of a voice publicly, literally steered the ship of their families – across the Atlantic, the Rio Grande and through the Great Depression, while keeping everyone nurtured, loved, and hopeful. They used their power quietly, in whatever ways they could to secure what only a women’s intuition could know was best – and saw situations through with grit and dignity. I honor them.
Along with women like Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinham, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I also think of my mother, who only had a tenth grade education and was raised in a community shrouded with sexism and patriarchy. She dutifully kept a home and raised ten children, before finding the strength to leave an abusive marriage after twenty-four years. When divorce was still pretty frowned upon and nobody was talking about family dysfunction, recovery or codependency, she tried the best sh could, to figure out a way to take care of herself and her children more independently, under better circumstances.
Myself and my six sisters, who have each in our own way fought through some of the most challenging circumstances, showing the younger generation of girls that we are tough, resilient, survivors who can make our own way, own our power, and design our own happiness. And I’d like to think we’re in the company of sisterhood with Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, and Tarana Burke.
Probably the most inspiration comes from the younger women I see in my midst. From my own two daughters, who I am immensely proud of – living a life of intention, speaking their minds, healing their own souls, and leaving the apologies and limitations at the door! Additionally, I look around and see young women like Amanda Gordon preaching poetically to the entire world about light and hope, Meghan Markle speaking truth about abusive institutions and her fight for her own mental health, Greta Thunberg fighting relentlessly against climate change for the preservation of our earth and species, and Malala Yousafzai who was almost killed for the fight for girls to have access to an education. I even have a good friend, here in Seattle, who’s eighteen year old daughter just published the book, “Paving” after being inspired by the historical 2017 Women’s March! All of these heroes – known and unknown, have had to overcome obstacles, bullying, oppression and most of all their own fear and self-doubt about what’s possible and if it’s really worth it.
Today, with my deepest gratitude, believing we are all intimately connected, I say to the women who created me, the women I’ve stood beside, and the women I’ve helped raise: Thank You. Thank You. Thank You – for sharing your powerful light and strength, so that I could find my own. May our love, our compassion and our beautiful dissent, never stop being a beacon of equality. For all.
Bikini Soul 