I took this picture yesterday morning, March 8th, International Women’s Day and my birthday. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was shining, cold and fresh, and no rain in sight.
I had an inspirational day planned at the new co-working clubhouse I’m part of. Within the space of a couple of hours, I got terrible flu, cold, shivers, and could hardly talk with swollen glands.
After a day of inspiring talks, presentations and networking I resigned myself to the fact I was sick and had to stop. Maybe that was what my day was meant to be, maybe IWD is meant to make you turn inwards, not outwards.
Reading posts and articles about IWD it’s another part of our current culture and society that’s starting to divide us instead of uniting us. Companies and organisations accused of performative activism; I see it too.
What I’ve learned is, being an ally, a supporter, or a friend of any marginalised group or course is a commitment to being a better human being through education, self-awareness and wanting to understand another. Not from your current self, but by getting out of your head and seeing the world through another’s eyes. I believe there are events in life that happen that present an opportunity to explore, learn and appreciate another person that is not like you, doesn’t look like you, talk like you, or live like you. To stay fixed in your single-minded view of the world will only keep you where you are today, safe within the walls of your own heart, home and head.
Celebrating women doesn’t diminish another, it’s a misconception to try to undermine the work of the women’s movement. Women were not afforded the same opportunities as men, there’s still gender inequality and a balance that needs to shift.
Be an ally, be a friend, of women and of all people that are ‘not like you’ because ultimately we’re all the same and we’re all different too. Embrace the differences, embrace this day that exists, and look to embrace a brighter, stronger future where we can all coexist equally.
Happy International Women’s Day 2023.