I joined with women all over the world in celebrating International Women's Day, and I was proud to be a part of it. I spent time reflecting on all that is happening in the world for we as women and I thought about who I wanted to be more like when walking the path of being an active feminist.
There were lots of women who came to mind, strong women who light up our world in so many ways. I am grateful for them. While there are countless women I could write about today, there really is only one who has inspired me daily since I was born. That would be my Mum. Frankly speaking, my Mother in amazing. I realise now that the biggest thing she taught me over the years is how to be a strong woman, no matter where you stand. I'm talking deep seeded, confident, know-who-you-are, unwavering, relentless kind of strong. The strong that picks you up when you are completely down, the win-your-own-race kind of strong, the take responsibility for yourself and your choices kind of strong... and then go right on ahead and stand by those choices. Because girl, you are STRONG in every sense of the word. That's what I'm walking about.
The unfortunate thing is that although our society loves a well domesticated woman, it also in the very same breath tends to condemn that attribute in a woman as being regressive and anti-feminist. Please... are we really still doing that?! In my humble opinion it needs to stop, because a stay-at-home mum is, and can be every bit as feminist as the most career driven woman in the world. I mean, ladies- we are in the together. Let's left everyone up in all their feminist dreams.
My Mum is the perfect example of being a feminist whilst raising wolves and lifting those around her.
For starters, my Mum did exactly what she wanted to do. Raising a family and being heavily invested in all that went on within the walls of her own home filled her cup no end. No one made her stay home. It was her choice. She was happy to make it. She wanted to make it.
My mother is well educated and will always be learning and sharing her wealth of knowledge in some way or another. She is well travelled and speaks another language other than English. She is wise and understanding. She is up to date with current affairs and is passionate about the way women are treated.
She is edgy and has never been afraid to speak her mind. If you want someone to tell you exactly how it is, go and ask my Mum. She has always told me to say exactly how I feel, and to be comfortable with however others may react. She has never been attached to the idea of seeking approval from others and doing the people pleasing thing and has always encouraged me to do the same. She does all of this whilst maintaining her genuine kindness and grace- people are drawn to her because of her absolute authenticity. It's one of my favourite things about her.
Never, ever have I seen her get caught up in being "girly" or prissy. Well presented, of course- but her value does't reside there and she did her best to pass that onto me. She's never placed any value on anything worldly. She's more interested in someones brain and their heart. She's a "come as you are" kind of woman, because she wants to discuss what matters. Not shoe sales.
The best thing she taught me about being a feminist and rocking this womanhood gig is that there is absolutely no one way to go about it. Whether we are getting married and raising families or chasing career dreams or travelling, my Mum has always had our backs. She is the ultimate respecter of people and the choices that they make. What she has taught me is to be empowered enough to make my own decisions, and the most remarkable thing about my Mum is that she has always trusted me enough to do so. She's loved me through every stage and has shone through as my feminist heroin through all of it!
Thanks for empowering me, Mum. x
