Many of us are posting on various platforms about International Women’s Day this week, and congratulating ourselves for all the contributions that women bring to our lives. LinkedIn in particular is a landmine. Yes. I said landmine.
I love that our culture has decided to set aside a Hallmark-esque day to celebrate over 50% of the world. I really do. I also love when I see tributes that truly appreciate the contributions, and trials/tribulations that women face. There are, however, many people that simply use this as another branding moment. Companies jump in to tout their diversity and inclusion or scorn their industries for not being inclusive. Executives standing tall for having 10% of their board identify as female.
I recently lost a friend from college to cancer. She was 41 years old. We haven’t been in touch over the last 15 or so years. I moved abroad shortly after graduation and got wrapped up in my own life. She was always a friend though, even as we lost touch. I was heartened to see her close community rally around her as she fought. She was a force for good, to the end.
All around me, women are dealing with real issues like mental health, isolation, family illness, and death. These women stand vigil every day because they have to. they are relied upon by their families, friends, communities, and often function as their own support system too. They may have a burden to care, simply by being female.
It’s not performative. It just is. Doing this, while still needing show up as an executive or shift worker, acting as they can do it all with ease. Nothing in our culture makes this balance fun.
So today, I want to celebrate the womxn in my life that care, that lean in to their whole lives, and that stand tall, even when they don’t feel tall.
mumura 