A Message For My Daughters On International Women’s Day

A Message For My Daughters On International Women’s Day

To Grace and Josephine, my little superheroes, who put on those capes from day one without hesitation or a question on whether they actually belonged on a boy.

You’re my babies, but when I look at you, I see the women you’ll become. On International Women’s Day, I want you to know how much I love and believe in you.

We’ve come so far as women. Equal rights and a world of opportunity at our fingertips. Those before us have paved an incredible path; every effort, big and small, brought us to where we are now. How could we ever thank those who got us here? I suppose it’s by doing their efforts justice and continuing to press for progress.

Beyond suffrage campaigns, we’ve come far in culture, too. We’re no longer expected to “stay in the kitchen” or be limited to the confines of what others feel our place is. We can be CEOs, entrepreneurs, and athletes. Mothers, world travelers, or heck, content as an everyday person just trying to be happy in this world. We can be all of those at once; whatever we put our minds to. Even President. (I wonder – will the first female one be you?)

But, my little loves, we still have a long way to go.

We’ve got small minds to change. Worlds to rock.

Those who believe that a woman’s work is less valuable than a man’s just because of our gender. That maternity leave is a vacation. That being home, raising a family, isn’t work. That household needs, or raising children, is solely our responsibility. That the choice to be employed while raising a family, or not to, is grounds for judgement. That we’re somehow less important if we choose not to have a family or get married. That we have to look or act or be a certain way to be considered beautiful. That our bodies are objects. That we’re “too emotional” or should somehow be ashamed of our feelings. 

No.

Not us. We won’t accept this. We will rise above those people by living exactly how we want to. It is the only way forward. 

I hope for you, a world where every ounce of your being is celebrated.

That you will know your value. Speak your mind. Respectfully, of course, but with confidence, because your thoughts are important and worth hearing. 

I hope you find love, no matter what gender you choose to find it with. Most importantly, I hope you find it with yourself. I hope you know happiness is a choice made by you every day. I hope you understand that the questions asked are often more important than the answers.

Work hard. Break the ceiling. Be kind, but never at the expense of being weak. Stand for integrity, and do what’s right. Cheer on the underdog, even if it’s unpopular. Rise above those who may try to bring you down, and do it with poise. Smile at them, right in the face, and be confident knowing that your light shines regardless of their darkness. 

The most impactful things you have control over are your actions and reactions. The only one who determines your worth is you. Not even I, though of course through my lens you’re limitless. Just always make sure that you live every day knowing just how much that worth is.

As your mother, I promise to live my best, every day, demonstrating these hopes.

I will do my best to be an example of all these things for you. I will fail, that’s for sure, because I’m only human. But, perhaps the biggest hopes I have for you are to keep believing, keep being positive, and to keep your head held high. If I do that, if you do that, if we do that, I believe these hopes will turn into reality. 

It’s certainly already starting to.

Here’s to all the women before us. To the women in our lives now, especially the ones who don’t just celebrate progress, but demand it. To the women you will become; the strong, capable, bright, kind, hard working women that I know is in both of your spirits, just beginning to blossom.

Love,

Mom