International Women's Day 2016

March 8, 2016 

International Women’s Day

21 years ago I learned about the International Day of Women. My daughter was born at 11:50, and the midwife announced to me, it’s a girl! And born on International Women’s Day. Her father looked defeated, as this was our third daughter. On this day, as I celebrate her 21 years of spreading joy and love to all who know her, I reflect on the meaning of this day.

Why do we even need a day? 

The earliest Women’s Day observance was held in 1909, in New York; it was organized by the Socialist Party of America. The International Day of Women, with its beginnings in Europe and Russia, proclaims equal rights for women, including the right to vote, and protection from employment sex discrimination. In 1918, women in Saint Petersburg went on strike for “Bread and Peace" – demanding the end of World War I, an end to Russian food shortages, and the end of czarism. The day was celebrated mostly in communist and socialist countries. In 1977, The United Nations proclaimed March 8th as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.

But we need more that a day. There are still too many women who are marginalized, abused, objectified, and suffering. In our society, our little girls are still being brought up thinking they are not enough. The messages all around them are of objectified women who are photoshopped to perfection. We can’t compete with the unrealistic expectations of a machine. There are still many women living in households being raped by their husbands. Some have to withstand being raped emotionally, financially, and psychologically. It is a sad time when a single mom can only support her family by taking off her clothes. 

Women are still vulnerable walking alone at night. Many are still silently suffering in many areas of the world. Some suffer in our own backyard. We just don’t see them. They have courage, and stay with their abusive husbands for financial reasons, fear, and many times to save their families. 

Woman, on this day, I say to you:

• Don’t fear. You have tremendous power inside of you. Get up ands strengthen yourself. 
• You are not alone. You have other sisters there ready to catch you if you fall. 
• Don’t believe that you are worthless. You are a divine being, and God doesn't make junk.
• Get out! If you are not respected, you don’t belong there. 
• Your children are watching. Don’t stay for your children. They learn best from  healthy relationships.
• Heal. It’s the best gift you can give your children.
• Let go. Don’t stay in the past. Each day you are made up of new cells, which means each day you are a new person. 
• Live your passion. Finding the meaning of your life will give you a reason to live and grow.
• Try something new. Dance, sing, play the guitar, discover yoga. Your brain will rewire with new network connections.
• Discover your spirituality: pray, be in nature, find something bigger than you.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the healers who have helped me shed many tears from my tissues. Thank you to my beautiful daughters, who have mirrored my own power and strength back to me, and who have brought me so much love and joy. And thank you to all the men who have hurt me. You helped me learn how to choose more wisely. And thank you to all the men in my life who have believed in me, and have helped me heal and fly.  Most of all, on this day, I thank my mother, for teaching me to be outside and enjoy the connection of our Mother Earth, and to be fearless.