Believe it or not but we are almost at the end of the 1st quarter of 2015. Literally the first 3 months have flown by and, for many, so have the aspirations and rigour that started the year. Last week, was the World International Day for Women and yesterday was Mother’s Day. Two days that aim to raise the awareness and importance of women in every fabric of society. On both these days, the issues of inequality and critical need for women to be celebrated are encouraged. We send messages, update our social media pages and some of us even get flowers or at least a tap on the back.
But what happens for the other 300+ days of the year? The truth is everywhere in the world women are undervalued and unappreciated. So I can completely understand the need to have days which bring issues of femininity to the forefront of the world’s mind. But that in many cases is as far as it goes.
A few months ago, I came to the realisation that no one would walk up to me and hand me the life I wanted. I wasn’t just going to stumble onto my dream job with the salary expectations and amazing perks. Put quite simply my life wouldn’t change until I did something about it. So I decided to create my own opportunities. I decided to start my own projects and learn from my own mistakes. Sure it’s a longer (and lonely) road to travel on, but I can attest that it continues to be worth every step.
Personally, I believe that’s what International Women’s Day and other days which honour women should be about. Not just days were we tell the world about the inequalities and hardships that exist for women, but days where we tell women that they have the power to make the changes they want. Now, I am well aware, that I possibly represent a minority of women who may have the education and access to the means for such empowerment, so how about a bunch of us help other women to reach higher?
Truth is the world is and will continue to be aware (for a long time) about the social inequalities and the cultural traditions that perpetuate these inequalities, but are unlikely to do much to stop it unless women do something to change things. We owe it to ourselves and to others to draw new pathways in the sand for women to follow. By actively living out and following our dreams relentlessly, we tell women everywhere that impossible is nothing.
I tell people that it was reading Chimamanda Adiche’s first two novels that gave me the gall to put ink to paper and all who know me well , will tell you that Oprah is a woman I admire unashamedly (lets not even get talking about Shonda Rimes, Sheryl Sandberg, Arianna Huffington, Serena, Uche Eze, Haffsat Abiola Costello etc). I mean, these women are FIRECE!!!!!! Their footsteps are like signposts on the pathway to destiny. And even though they are all in different fields, they have one thing in common, unrelentless pursuit of their dreams. They are trailblazers and brazen in their ‘I can do it’ attitude, no matter what the world thinks or says. That’s the kind of woman I want to be. A woman who wakes up in the morning and inches forward regardless. A woman who stands up and makes things happen for herself and for other women….
What kind of woman do you want to be?
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I want to be a woman with a difference. A woman who would be an example to the world and beyond, a prolific and outstanding writer, a worshipper, an outstanding OAP and more.. I want to be a woman who wakes up in the morning know God is fully in charge and will use me differently.. I want to help the poor and put more children in school. I want to be more than just precious. Glory E. you inspire me and I’m proud of you every step of the way.
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