Keeping IWD2018 Going

I’ve been here at my computer for a few hours with an idea for an International Women’s Day post percolating.

I’ve typed a few sentences and then deleted them, over and over.

There are hundreds of news stories, millions of social media posts, all extolling the virtues of women and the injustices against us.

There is nothing wrong with that. I’ve posted a couple of quotes on my Instagram today that resonated with me and I’ve certainly read a few stories. (I suggest checking out this one for a quick history on the day, this one for a look at how the holiday is observed around the world and this one for some serious lady boss inspiration.)

I am all about IWD. I am a strong and unwavering proponent of equal rights. I am a feminist. I have a handful of #MeToo stories, some that are barely a blip in the grand scheme of my life and a couple that I prefer not to talk about.

There’s so much material to work with. Why am I tongue-tied?

I think… I think it’s just that. There’s so much information out there. So many causes to support that ladder back up to IWD. It’s overwhelming to try and distill everything into a concise blog post.

My intention was to create a resource for how to keep the spirit of IWD alive beyond March 8. It would include links to websites for donating time and money to the fights for equal pay, equal representation and equal rights.

But I didn’t do that, because I want to spend time doing thoughtful research on these things. I imagine you do too.

And so, to keep IWD alive, here’s my plan. I’m going to invest in myself. I’m going to invest in my daughter. I’m going to make sure that she not only sees her mother fighting and advocating for what all women deserve, but that she knows she deserves those things herself.

She is 4. At this point, she has no idea what the world is like beyond our home, her school and a few other select places. She exists in locations where she is treated with the same kindness and respect as any boy there. As she grows, her world will expand. I can’t protect her from inequality forever, but I can make sure she knows her worth.

She is… exhausting at times. Her energy is endless. She is stubborn and she tries my patience regularly. And I do not ever want her to change. I certainly don’t want her to change because she thinks it’s required. That energy is exactly what will propel her to great things in her future, and I want her to be able to reap the same benefits from that drive as a boy would.

I apologize that this post is rambling and a bit unfocused, but I don’t apologize for the sentiments addressed here. Sometimes when we are truly passionate about something, it’s hard to sort through all the information and emotion around it. In time I hope I’ll be able to clarify just where to focus in the bigger, broader fight. Until then, I’ll keep building up my daughter in hopes that she will never settle for less than she deserves.