An International Women's Day Reflection
Today is International Women’s Day and I find myself reflecting on the women (and men) in my life. For me, the woman that instantly comes to mind is my mom. She is a spitfire. Sure, I put her on a pedestal because she is my mom, but she is so much more than that. She sticks up for causes that she believes in, she fights for the underdog, she continuously challenges herself, lifts people up and works to better the world.
As a teenager, my mom lobbied her school board to allow girls to participate in cross country and track and field; her voice was heard. She was one of the first girls to run (and keep up with) the guys.
As a new mom, she didn’t put her dreams on the back burner, she continued her schooling and graduated with a physical therapists degree with little me in tow.
As a physical therapist, my mom has helped elderly patients at a hospital, transformed the special needs program for a public school system, and has helped disabled veterans find peace on the water through adaptive rowing.
She continues to stand up for causes that she believes in. In 2017, she made her voice heard. She marched, and marched, and marched - in more marches than I even knew existed.
So today, on March 8th, International Women’s Day, I honor her, and all of the women that came before her and all of the women still to come.
It’s Our Time
This year the theme for International’s Women’s Day is #BalanceForBetter. The challenge is to drive better gender balance around the world. What can you do?
Here are some thought starters:
Look into groups and organizations, like Ladies Get Paid, that are working to address the gender pay gap
Start conversations about what feminism means to you
Attend an International Women’s Day event near you!
Do you have any other ideas? We’d love to hear them.
Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at Just Us Gals!
Anna Montain is a content contributor for JUGS.