Happy International Day of the Woman

We celebrate this day because for the greater part of our history, women have been second class citizens.

Women have struggled through oppression, harassment, and over the years have managed to come out on top. We are out of the house and are now business leaders, political forces, world renowned athletes. We have made it very clear that we are just as strong, just as smart, and just as capable as our male counterparts.

The woman I've chosen to write about, and pay homage to on this International Day of the Woman is not someone famous. She is not the CEO of anything. She never led great companies, sealed international deals, or made a mark on any large stage, but she is just as strong (if not stronger), just as brilliant, and just as rebellious as the women whose names will go down in history.

This woman is my nana. She is 96 years old. She spent her life as a stay at home mom. She cooked from scratch. She cleaned the house. She hung the clothes on a line outside. She changed diapers, nursed babies, stayed up all night on many nights to care for sick kids. This woman raised 6 kids and 15 grand kids. In many ways her life is the exact opposite of what we're celebrating today.

I sometimes try to imagine how it would be to care for a house, multiple children, and a kitchen without any of the modern appliances that we have today. This woman woke up every morning before dawn and spent every minute of her day putting herself aside in order to take care of others. It was hard...hella hard, and she never complained. In an age where self-care is all they rage (I myself am a big advocate of self-care). It makes me realize how spoiled we can be.

Today many of us, women, look down on women like my grandmother. We somehow think that we're better than the women who choose to stay home and work for their families. We can "poopoo" on them and their choices.

I want to caution against looking down on anyone who wants to spend her life giving to her kids. I hope we understand that this day is intended to celebrate ALL women and the diverse gifts we contribute to our communities recognizing that sometimes the smallest actions have the largest effects. For example, my nana was looked down upon by many in her day because she allowed her daughters to wear shorts. It may not seem like a big deal, but was in fact an act of strength and rebellion.

Let's remember to celebrate all of the beauty that women bring to this world. Whether she decides to lead in corporate life, kick ass in a gym, or nurture her family, she deserves to be celebrated.

Stay beautiful ladies. Keep doing you, and celebrating all of the women in your life who work hard.

Happy International Woman's Day.